Romans 4:12

12 and father of circumcision to those not of circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of the faith, that [is] in the uncircumcision of our father Abraham.

Romans 4:12 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 4:12

And the father of circumcision
So the Jews call Abraham (Mylwmynh var) ^F12, "the head of those that are circumcised"; and (Mylwml var) ^F13, "the head to them that are circumcised"; but the apostle here says, he is a father

to them who are not of the circumcision only;
not to the Jews only, in a spiritual sense, and not to all of them, since some were "of Israel", who were not Israel, not Israelites indeed, or true believers;

but [to such] also [who] walk in the steps of that faith of our
father Abraham, which he had, being yet uncircumcised;
that is, who have the same faith he had; imitate and follow him in the exercise of faith; walk by faith, as he did when he was uncircumcised, as they are; and so the Jews say ^F14,

``Abraham is the father of all, (wtnwmab wyrxa Myab) , "that go after him in his faith".''

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FOOTNOTES:

F12 Tzeror Hammor, fol. 18. 3.
F13 Juchasin, fol. 5. 2. Midrash Esther, fol. 85. 3.
F14 R. Sol. Hammelech Michlol. Jophi in Mal. ii. 15.

Romans 4:12 In-Context

10 how then was it reckoned? he being in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision;

11 and a sign he did receive of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith in the uncircumcision, for his being father of all those believing through uncircumcision, for the righteousness also being reckoned to them,

12 and father of circumcision to those not of circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of the faith, that [is] in the uncircumcision of our father Abraham.

13 For not through law [is] the promise to Abraham, or to his seed, of his being heir of the world, but through the righteousness of faith;

14 for if they who are of law [are] heirs, the faith hath been made void, and the promise hath been made useless;