12. Father of circumcision. Of circumcised persons. The abstract term is used for the concrete. See on xi. 7.
Who not only are—but who also walk. Apparently Paul speaks of two classes, but really of but one, designated by two different attributes. The awkwardness arises from the article rois, erroneously repeated with orovyotow walk, which latter word expresses an added characteristic, not another class. Paul means that Abraham received a seal, etc., that he might be the father of circumcision to those who not only are circum- cised, but who add to this outward sign the faith which Abra- ham exhibited.
Walk (crovyodowv). See on elements, 2 Pet. iii. 10.
13. Heir of the world («Anpovopov xédcuov). See on divided by lot, Acts xiii. 19; and inheritance, 1 Pet. i. 4. “Paul here takes the Jewish conception of the universal dominion of the Messianic theocracy prefigured by the inheritance of Canaan, divests it of its Judaistic element, and raises it to a christologi- cal truth.” Compare Matt. xix. 28,29; Luke xxii. 30. The idea underlies the phrases kingdom of God, kingdom of Heaven.
16. Sure (GeGatav). Stable, valid, something realized, the opposite of made of none effect, ver. 14.
17. A father of many nations. See Gen. xvii. 5. Orig- inally his name was Abram, exalted father ; afterward Abra- ham, father of a multitude.
Have | made (ré9e:xa). Appointed or constituted. Fora similar sense see Matt. xxiv. 51; John xv. 16, and note; Acts xiii. 47; 1.Tim. ii. 7. The verb shows that the paternity was the result of a special arrangement. It would not be used to denote the mere physical connection between father and son.
Cu. IV.] THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS. 55
Who quickeneth the dead. This attribute of God is selected with special reference to the circumstances of Abraham as described in vy. 18, 21. Asa formal attribute of God it oc- earsil Sam. ii. 6; John v..215,.2 Cor. i. 92:1 Tim. vi. 18.
Calleth (xadotvros). The verb is used in the following senses :
1. To gwe a@ name, with évowa name, Matt. i. 21, 22, 25; Luke i. 13, 81; without dvowa, Luke i. 59, 60. To salute by a name, Matt. xxiii. 9; xxii. 48, 45.
2. Passive. To bear a name or title among men, Luke i. 35; xxii. 25; 1 Cor. xv. 9. Zo be acknowledged or to pass as, Matt. v. 9,19; Jas. ii. 23.
peLolmue, Matt, xxi. -3, 9; Jobni ii, 2° 1 ¢Cor: x27. To summon, Matt. iv. 21; Acts iv. 18; xxiv. 2. Zo call out jrom, Matt. ii. 15; Heb. xi. 8; 1 Pet. ii. (9.
4. To appoint. Select for an office, Gal. i. 15; Heb. v. 4; to salvation, Rom. ix. 11; viii. 30.
5. Of God's creative decree. To call forth from nothing, Isa. xli. 4; 2 Kings viii. 1.
In this last sense some explain the word here; but it can scarcely be said that God creates things that are not as actually existing. Others explain, God’s disposing decree. He disposes of things that are not as though existing.* The simplest ex- planation appears to be to give xandeiv the sense of nameth, speaketh of. Compare ch. ix. 7; Acts vii. 5. The seed of Abraham “which were at present in the category of things which were not, and the nations which should spring physically or spiritually from him, God spoke of as having an existence, which word Abraham believed” (Alford). In this case there may properly be added the idea of the swmmons to the high destiny ordained for Abraham’s seed.
19. Being not weak in faith he considered not (ui aoJev- noas Th TloTe ov KaTevoncev). The best texts omit ov not be-
*It is doubtful whether xadciy ever means to dispose of. The passages cited by Schaff in Lange, Ps. l. 1; Isa. xl. 26; xlv. 3, do not appear to be in point. The calling of the earth in Ps. 1. is rather summoning it as a witness, In the other two passages the phrase is used of calling by name.