King James Version

What Does Romans 4:12 Mean?

Romans 4:12 in the King James Version says “And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that fait...” — study this verse from Romans chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Romans 4:12 · KJV

Faith

Context

10

How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

11

And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

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.

13

For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

14

For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

Read Romans 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to 'walk in the steps' of Abraham's faith, and how is this different from ethnic descent?
  2. Why must even Jewish believers trace their spiritual lineage to Abraham's <em>uncircumcised</em> faith rather than his circumcision?
  3. How does this verse challenge any form of Christian identity based on heritage, ritual, or culture rather than faith?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
καὶ1 of 23

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πατρὸς2 of 23

“father”

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

περιτομῆς3 of 23

“of circumcision”

G4061

circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people, literally or figuratively)

τοῖς4 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

οὐκ5 of 23

“to them who are not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἐκ6 of 23

“of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

περιτομῆς7 of 23

“of circumcision”

G4061

circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people, literally or figuratively)

μόνον8 of 23

“only”

G3440

merely

ἀλλὰ9 of 23

“but”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

καὶ10 of 23

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τοῖς11 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

στοιχοῦσιν12 of 23

“walk”

G4748

to march in (military) rank (keep step), i.e., (figuratively) to conform to virtue and piety

τοῖς13 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἴχνεσιν14 of 23

“in the steps”

G2487

a track (figuratively)

τῆς15 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐν16 of 23

“which he had being”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ17 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀκροβυστίᾳ18 of 23

“yet uncircumcised”

G203

the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised (i.e., gentile, figuratively, unregenerate) state or person

πίστεως19 of 23

“of that faith”

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

τοῦ20 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατρὸς21 of 23

“father”

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

ἡμῶν22 of 23

“of our”

G2257

of (or from) us

Ἀβραάμ23 of 23

“Abraham”

G11

abraham, the hebrew patriarch

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Romans. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Romans 4:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Romans 4:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 2:20Song of Solomon 1:8John 8:39-40Galatians 4:22-311 Peter 2:212 Corinthians 12:18

Test Your Knowledge

Romans 4 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterRomans Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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