Why is Abraham considered the father of all who believe in Romans 4:11? Abraham—“Father of All Who Believe” (Romans 4:11) Canonical Text Romans 4:11 : “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised, so that he would be the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them as well.” Historical Anchoring of Abraham Abram, later renamed Abraham (Genesis 17:5), lived c. 2166–1991 BC (conservative chronology). Contemporary second-millennium BC texts from Mari and Nuzi demonstrate that personal names such as “Abamrama” and customs such as adoption contracts parallel Genesis’ cultural milieu, corroborating Abraham’s historical setting. Excavations at Ur (Tell el-Muqayyar) and discoveries at Haran reveal urban centers matching the biblical itinerary (Genesis 11:31; 12:4). The Divine Call and Initial Act of Faith Genesis 12:1–3 records Yahweh’s unilateral summons: “Go from your country… and I will make you into a great nation.” Abraham departed (Genesis 12:4), illustrating obedient trust. This pre-Mosaic example of faith functions programmatically for Paul, who seeks a precedent that predates the Law. Justification Credited Prior to Circumcision Genesis 15:6 : “Abram believed the LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness.” This occurs years before Genesis 17 institutes circumcision. Paul highlights the sequence: righteousness credited first, sign received later (Romans 4:9–10). Thus Abraham embodies sola fide—justification by faith alone—making him exemplar for uncircumcised Gentiles and circumcised Jews alike. Circumcision as Sign and Seal Circumcision, given in Genesis 17:10–11, is called a “sign” (ʾōt) and “seal” (sphragis) in Romans 4:11. A sign points to an already-existing reality; a seal authenticates it. Therefore, the rite does not generate righteousness; it commemorates and confirms it. Fatherhood Defined a. Biological Fatherhood (Israel): “I will make you exceedingly fruitful… nations and kings will come from you” (Genesis 17:6). b. Covenantal Fatherhood (All Believers): “In you all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). Paul equates the promised “blessing” with justification (Galatians 3:8). Universal Scope of the Promise Romans 4:16 : “Therefore, the promise comes by faith… to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham.” The global horizon of Genesis 12:3 (“all families”) finds fulfillment in a multi-ethnic church (Acts 15:7–9; Revelation 7:9). Seed Singular and Messianic Fulfillment Galatians 3:16 : “The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed… and to your Seed, who is Christ.” United to Christ by faith, believers become “heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29). Hence Abraham’s fatherhood is mediated through the resurrected Messiah, whose triumph authenticates the promise (Romans 4:24–25). Resurrection Typology and Faith Romans 4:17 speaks of God “who gives life to the dead.” Paul alludes to Genesis 22 and Hebrews 11:17–19, where Abraham trusts God to raise Isaac. That resurrection-faith foreshadows Christ’s actual resurrection, the climactic validation of justification (1 Corinthians 15:17). Extra-Biblical Corroboration Dead Sea Scroll 4QGen-Exoda preserves Genesis 17, demonstrating textual stability. Early second-century Epistle of Barnabas 13 cites Abraham to argue for faith-based inclusion of Gentiles, confirming apostolic interpretation. Papyrus 𝔓46 (c. AD 200) contains Romans 4 virtually as we have it; its early date attests to the unaltered Pauline argument. Summary Abraham is called “father of all who believe” because God counted him righteous through faith prior to any ethnic or ritual boundary, instituted circumcision merely as a confirming sign, promised worldwide blessing through his Seed—Christ—and showcased resurrection power in his narrative. All who share that faith, whether Jew or Gentile, stand within the same justified lineage, fulfilling God’s original, unbroken purpose. |
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