And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
Parallel translations
- WEB He is the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had in uncircumcision.
- BSB And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
- NKJV and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.
- NASB and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised.
- NLT And Abraham is also the spiritual father of those who have been circumcised, but only if they have the same kind of faith Abraham had before he was circumcised.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Abraham is father of the circumcised only when they share his faith, not merely his lineage. True kinship with Abraham is by faith.
Overview
Paul adds that Abraham is the father of circumcised Jews not simply because they bear the mark but because they 'walk in the steps' of his faith. Physical descent or ritual is not enough; one must follow Abraham's believing example. This reinforces that membership in God's family rests on faith in the God who justifies, fully revealed in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- John 8:39–40They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
- Prov 2:20That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
- Song 1:8If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds’ tents.
- Gal 4:22–31For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
- 2 Cor 12:18I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
- 1 Pet 2:21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
- Rom 9:6–7Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
- Job 33:11He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.
- Luke 16:23–31And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
- Matt 3:9And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
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Christ at the center
Paul unfolds the gospel in full: Christ our righteousness received by faith, the second Adam in whom many are made righteous, in whose death and resurrection we are buried and raised.
How Romans 4:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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