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 yet uncircumcised.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πατρὸς
father
G3962
πατρὸς
father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
2 of 23
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
περιτομῆς
of circumcision
G4061
περιτομῆς
of circumcision
Strong's:
G4061
Word #:
3 of 23
circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people, literally or figuratively)
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐκ
to them who are not
G3756
οὐκ
to them who are not
Strong's:
G3756
Word #:
5 of 23
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
ἐκ
of
G1537
ἐκ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
6 of 23
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
περιτομῆς
of circumcision
G4061
περιτομῆς
of circumcision
Strong's:
G4061
Word #:
7 of 23
circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people, literally or figuratively)
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
9 of 23
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
στοιχοῦσιν
walk
G4748
στοιχοῦσιν
walk
Strong's:
G4748
Word #:
12 of 23
to march in (military) rank (keep step), i.e., (figuratively) to conform to virtue and piety
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀκροβυστίᾳ
yet uncircumcised
G203
ἀκροβυστίᾳ
yet uncircumcised
Strong's:
G203
Word #:
18 of 23
the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised (i.e., gentile, figuratively, unregenerate) state or person
πίστεως
of that faith
G4102
πίστεως
of that faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
19 of 23
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
The tension in the early church between Jewish Christians who retained Torah observance and Gentile Christians who did not was intense (Galatians 2, Acts 15). Paul navigates this carefully: Jewish believers remain Abraham's children, but only insofar as they share his faith, not merely his flesh and ritual. This preserves both Jewish heritage and Gentile equality in Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to 'walk in the steps' of Abraham's faith, and how is this different from ethnic descent?
- Why must even Jewish believers trace their spiritual lineage to Abraham's <em>uncircumcised</em> faith rather than his circumcision?
- How does this verse challenge any form of Christian identity based on heritage, ritual, or culture rather than faith?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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. Paul completes his thought: Abraham is also father of circumcision (objective genitive—father to the circumcised) but only to those who do not merely possess physical circumcision. The phrase tois ouk ek peritomēs monon (τοῖς οὐκ ἐκ περιτομῆς μόνον, "to those not of circumcision only") indicates something more is required. True children of Abraham among the circumcised are those also (alla kai, ἀλλὰ καὶ) walking in faith's footsteps.
The metaphor tois stoichousin tois ichnesin (τοῖς στοιχοῦσιν τοῖς ἴχνεσιν, "to those walking in the footsteps") pictures following a path already marked out. The path is "the faith of our father Abraham"—specifically, the faith he had en tē akrobystia (ἐν τῇ ἀκροβυστίᾳ, "in the uncircumcision"). Jewish believers, then, must recognize that even their father Abraham was justified as if he were a Gentile! Physical descent plus circumcision does not make one Abraham's child—faith does. This anticipates Jesus's confrontation with the Jews in John 8:39-40 and prepares for Paul's discussion of true Jews in Romans 9-11.