The Time Frame of Abraham and Justification

One of the very first posts I wrote here at Feeding on Christ had to do with the doctrine of justification by faith alone and the time element. The most significant passage of Scripture in this discussion, and yet one that is often overlooked, is Romans 4:10. In the context, the apostle Paul is explaining the nature of justification by faith alone from the example of Abraham. Citing the locus classicus, Gen. 15:16 repeatedly, Paul develops his argumentation based on the application of the covenant sign to Abraham. In one short passage, Paul posits justification at a specific point in time. He asks, “How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised?” The answer is richer than most have acknowledged. Paul replies, “It was not after, but before he was circumcised.” The apostle eliminates the possibility of understanding justification as occurring “after” Abraham was circumcised. There are actually two lessons we can learn from this. Interestingly, most commentators focus only on the first implication.

(1) The Jews do not have any special privilege above the Gentiles after the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. (2) Abraham was justified at a particular point in time, as is true of those who believe after Abraham. He was not counted righteous after circumcision but before he was circumcised. We must make clear that there is no future imputation of righteousness. How (i.e. when) was Abraham justified, while circumcised or while uncircumcised? Not while circumcised but while uncircumcised.

This entry was posted on Friday, December 11th, 2009 at 8:13 am and is filed under Miscellany. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.