John Gill's Exposition on Romans 4:12

A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.

Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.

And the father of circumcision, etc..] So the Jews call Abraham µylwmynh çar f58, “the head of those that are circumcised”; and µylwml çar f59, “the head to them that are circumcised”; but the apostle here says, he is a father to them who are not of the circumcision only; not to the Jews only, in a spiritual sense, and not to all of them, since some were “of Israel”, who were not Israel, not Israelites indeed, or true believers; but [to such] also [who] walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had, being yet uncircumcised; that is, who have the same faith he had; imitate and follow him in the exercise of faith; walk by faith, as he did when he was uncircumcised, as they are; and so the Jews say f60, “Abraham is the father of all, wtnwmab wyrja µyab, “that go after him in his faith”.”

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