Romans 4:12

12 And the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who keep to the way of that faith which our father Abraham had before he underwent circumcision.

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 judged? when he had circumcision, or when he had it not? Not when he had it, but when he did not have it:

11 And he was given the sign of circumcision as a witness of the faith which he had before he underwent circumcision: so that he might be the father of all those who have faith, though they have not circumcision, and so that righteousness might be put to their account;

12 And the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who keep to the way of that faith which our father Abraham had before he underwent circumcision.

13 For God's word, that the earth would be his heritage, was given to Abraham, not through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

14 For if they who are of the law are the people who get the heritage, then faith is made of no use, and the word of God has no power;