“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.”
My Notes
What Does Romans 4:12 Mean?
Paul makes a precise argument about Abraham's faith: Abraham is the father of circumcision (the Jewish people) AND the father of uncircumcision (Gentile believers). The key: he believed before he was circumcised. His faith came first. The circumcision came after. Which means the faith pattern — not the circumcision pattern — is the foundation.
The phrase "walk in the steps of that faith" means Gentile believers aren't second-class children of Abraham. They're walking in the original footsteps — the faith Abraham had while still uncircumcised. Circumcised Jews who only have the sign but not the faith are actually further from Abraham than Gentiles who have the faith without the sign.
"Which he had being yet uncircumcised" is the historical detail that dismantles the entire Judaizer argument. Abraham believed in Genesis 15. He was circumcised in Genesis 17. The faith preceded the sign by years. The foundation is the faith, not the flesh.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Does knowing that Abraham's faith came before circumcision change how you think about religious markers and identity?
- 2.Are you 'walking in the steps of faith' or in the steps of religious performance — and can you tell the difference?
- 3.How does the chronology (faith first, sign second) dismantle the idea that outward markers are required for salvation?
- 4.What 'circumcision' (outward marker) are you relying on instead of the faith that Abraham actually had?
Devotional
Abraham believed before he was circumcised. The faith came first. The sign came after. And that order changes everything.
Paul's argument is surgically precise: if Abraham is the father of the faithful, when did his faith begin? Genesis 15 — when he believed God and it was counted as righteousness. When was he circumcised? Genesis 17 — years later. The faith happened while he was uncircumcised. Which means the original pattern of Abrahamic faith is uncircumcised faith.
This means Gentile believers aren't walking in a secondary pattern. They're walking in the original pattern. Abraham's faith without circumcision is the blueprint. Circumcision was added later as a sign of what already existed. The sign isn't the foundation. The faith is.
Paul turns the Judaizers' argument inside out: you think Gentiles need circumcision to be true children of Abraham? Abraham himself was a Gentile when he believed. His faith — the faith that made him righteous — was uncircumcised faith. If you want to be like Abraham, have Abraham's faith. The circumcision is optional.
"Walk in the steps of that faith" — the steps aren't ritual steps. They're trust steps. Abraham trusted God. Period. Before any religious marker was applied. Before any physical sign was given. He just believed. And God said: that's enough. That's righteousness.
The steps are still the same. Trust. Before performance. Before markers. Before signs. Trust is the step. Everything else follows.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
For the promise that he should be heir of the world,.... This promise is thought by some to refer to that of his being…
And the father of circumcision - The father, that is, the ancestor, exemplar, or model of those who are circumcised, and…
And the father of circumcision - He is also the head and representative of all the circumcision of all the Jews who walk…
St. Paul observes in this paragraph when and why Abraham was thus justified; for he has several things to remark upon…
of circumcision Practically = of the circumcision; (see last note on Rom 1:4). Abraham is here said to be the…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture