Genesis 17:10

Memory Verse

This is the covenant which you will guard between me and between your seed after you, every male will be circumcised (Genesis 17:10).

After giving a covenant pertaining to eternity to Abraham, the LORD instructs him to guard His covenant. Thus, all of his descendants, every male, must be circumcised. This includes all of the males born in his household and who are bought with money. Those who are not circumcised will be cut off from the covenant (Genesis 17:14).

Circumcision was not the basis for Abraham’s salvation. Paul deals with this fallacy in Romans chapter four. Righteousness was reckoned to Abraham before he was circumcised (Romans 4:10). He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness out from faith (Romans 4:11). Abraham is the father of those who will be saved out from faith (Romans 4:12). Thus, circumcision for the Jew was a sign of faith, not law or a work-based righteousness.