Romans 4:12

12 and likewise the ancestor of the circumcised who are not only circumcised but who also follow the example of the faith that our ancestor 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 How then was it reckoned to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised.
11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the ancestor of all who believe without being circumcised and who thus have righteousness reckoned to them,
12 and likewise the ancestor of the circumcised who are not only circumcised but who also follow the example of the faith that our ancestor Abraham had before he was circumcised.
13 For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith.
14 If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.