In Paul’s letter to the Romans it is a summary of how all both Jews and Gentiles are both considered descendants from Abraham. Both Jews and Gentiles can attain salvation through being faithful and believing in Christ, which would then grant them the freedom from being enslaved to sin and the Jewish laws. Paul’s reading of Abraham supports this belief of being faithful in Christ through the act of circumcision. Paul states in Romans 4:9 “Is the blessedness, then, pronounced only on the circumcised, or also on the uncircumcised?” Paul is stating that a male who is a non-Jew is blessed even without the act of circumcision taking place. Instead of emphasizing the act of circumcision as the connection to God and path to righteousness, Paul highlights the act of being faithful as supremely important.

Paul outlines Abraham’s faith by reminding readers of the phrase “Faith was reckoned to Abraham as righteousness” and noting that circumcision is not referenced as the path to righteousness. Paul states that circumcision is not the means by which Abraham had faith, but rather is an expression of the faith Abraham held within himself. Since Abraham is “the father of many nations”, he sets an example for future generations for how to view and express faith in God. Abraham expresses his faith by believing God’s word to him and trusting that he will be blessed with many descendants. He then promises to keep his covenant with God through the act of circumcision. This is the outward expression of Abraham’s faith and a tradition that will serve as a reminder for his descendants to place their trust and belief in God. This relates to Paul’s vision of universal salvation because faith is not a trait exclusively found in Jews, but rather is a choice that both Jews and Gentiles can make to believe in God.