Romans 4:12

of circumcision Practically = of the circumcision; (see last note on Romans 1:4). Abraham is here said to be the (spiritual) Father of the circumcision; i.e. of the circumcised; and then at once this is limited to the believingcircumcised.

to them who i.e. "to the benefit of those who, &c." They inheritthe eternal promise made to their great Father.

but who also walk There is a grammatical difficulty in the Gr.; but it leaves the sense exactly as in E. V.

in the steps Better, by the steps, as rule and model. Cp. Philippians 3:16. In the Gr. the verse closes with the words "of our father Abraham;" thus with an emphasis on the fact and nature of the fatherhood.