Romans 4:12

12 And Abraham is also the father of those who have been circumcised and who live following the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

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".''


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 So how did this happen? Did God accept Abraham before or after he was circumcised? It was before his circumcision.
11 Abraham was circumcised to show that he was right with God through faith before he was circumcised. So Abraham is the father of all those who believe but are not circumcised; he is the father of all believers who are accepted as being right with God.
12 And Abraham is also the father of those who have been circumcised and who live following the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
13 Abrahamn and his descendants received the promise that they would get the whole world. He did not receive that promise through the law, but through being right with God by his faith.
14 If people could receive what God promised by following the law, then faith is worthless. And God's promise to Abraham is worthless,
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.