Romans 4:12

Romans 4:12

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 yetuncircumcised.

a. 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.

b. NIV: And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

c. YLT: and father of circumcision to those not of circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of the faith, that is in the uncircumcision of our father Abraham.

d. Amplified Bible Classic: As well as [that he be made] the father of those circumcised persons who are not merely circumcised, but also walk in the way of that faith which our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

e. Worrell Translation: and father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham.

1. “And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only…”

a. And [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. the father [3962 * pater] [Strong: apparently a primary word; a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote):—father, parent.]

c. of circumcision [4061 * peritome] [Strong: from 4059; circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people, literally or figuratively):--X circumcised, circumcision.]

d. to them who are not [3756 * ou] [Strong:  a primary word; the absolute negative (compare G3361) adverb; no or not:—+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.] 

e. of [1537 * ek] [Strong:  a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):—after, among, × are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), +grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, × hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, × thenceforth, through, × unto, × vehemently, with(-out).]

f. the circumcision [4061 * peritome] [Strong: from 4059; circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people, literally or figuratively):--X circumcised, circumcision.]

g. only [3440 * monon] [Strong: neuter of G3441 as adverb; merely:—alone, but, only.]

2. “…but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham…”

a. but [235 * alla] [Strong: neuter plural of 243; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):—and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.]

b. who also [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

c. walk [4748 * stoicheo] [Strong:  from a derivative of στείχω steíchō (to range in regular line); to march in (military) rank (keep step), i.e. (figuratively) to conform to virtue and piety:—walk (orderly).]

d. in the steps [2487 * ichnos] [Strong: (to arrive; compare G2240); a track (figuratively):—step.]

e. of that faith [4102 * pistis] [Strong: from 3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:—assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.]

f. of our [2257 * hemon] [Strong: genitive case plural of G1473; of (or from) us:—our (company), us, we.]

g. of father [3962 * pater] [Strong: apparently a primary word; a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote):—father, parent.]

h. [11 * Abraam] [Strong: of Hebrew origin Hebrew 85); Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch:—Abraham.]

3. “…which he had being yet uncircumcised.”

 a. which he had being [1722 * en] [Strong: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:—about, after, against, + almost, × altogether, among, × as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly),× mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, × outwardly, one, × quickly, × shortly, (speedi-)ly, ×that, × there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

b.uncircumcised [203 * akrobustia] [Strong: from 206 and probably a modified form of πόσθη pósthē (the penis or male sexual organ); the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised (i.e. gentile, figuratively, unregenerate) state or person:—not circumcised, uncircumcised (with 2192), uncircumcision.]

1). Adam Clarke Commentary: He is also the head and representative of all the circumcision of all the Jews who walk in the steps of that faith; who seek for justification by faith only, and not by the works of the law; for this was the faith that Abraham had before he received circumcision. For, the covenant being made with Abraham while he was a Gentile, he became the representative of the Gentiles, and they primarily were included in that covenant, and the Jews were brought in only consequentially; but salvation, implying justification by faith, originally belonged to the Gentiles; and, when the Gospel came, they laid hold on this as their original right, having been granted to them by the free mercy of God in their father and representative, Abraham. So that the Jews, to be saved, must come under that Abrahamic covenant, in which the Gentiles are included. This is an unanswerable conclusion, and must, on this point, for ever confound the Jews.