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".''
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.