Romans 4:12
What does Romans 4:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 4:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 4:12 means
Abraham is also the father of the circumcised—but not of the circumcised merely as a physical group. He is father to those who not only bear the mark but also walk in the steps of the faith he had while uncircumcised. Physical descent and outward rites are insufficient; what matters is sharing Abraham’s trusting posture toward God. This honors Jewish heritage without making it the basis of justification. The true lineage is spiritual, traced by faith’s footprints. Thus Jews who believe are embraced, and Gentiles who believe are welcomed too, under one patriarch of faith.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and the father of circumcision to them 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and the father of circumcision to them 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who keep to the way of that faith which our father Abraham had before he underwent circumcision.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and father of circumcision to those not of circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of the faith, that <FI>is<Fi> in the uncircumcision of our father Abraham.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he might be the father of circumcision; not to them only that are of the circumcision, but to them also that follow the steps of the faith that is in the uncircumcision of our father Abraham.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and father of circumcision, not only to those who are of [the] circumcision, but to those also who walk in the steps of the faith, during uncircumcision, of our father Abraham.
Context
This verse completes the inclusive picture begun in verses 10–11. Abraham’s fatherhood extends both to believing Gentiles and to Jews who follow his faith, not merely his rite. With identity clarified, Paul turns in verses 13–15 to the basis of the promise itself, showing that it came through the righteousness of faith and not through the law, which would otherwise annul grace and produce wrath.
v.11and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned unto them;
v.12This passage
v.13For not through the law was the promise to Abraham or to his seed that he should be heir of the world, but through the righteousness of faith.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 8:39
They answered and said unto him, Our father is Abraham. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
- Job 33:11
He putteth my feet in the stocks, He marketh all my paths.
- 2 Corinthians 12:18
I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
- 1 Peter 2:21
For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps:
- Song of Solomon 1:8
If 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.
- Romans 9:6
Butit isnot as though the word of God hath come to nought. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel:
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