"foreskin; uncircumcision, the state of being uncircumcised, Rom. 4:10; the abstract being put for the concrete, uncircumcised men, i.e., Gentiles, Rom. 4:9, et al"
Definition and meaning
foreskin; uncircumcision, the state of being uncircumcised, Rom. 4:10; the abstract being put for the concrete, uncircumcised men, i.e., Gentiles, Rom. 4:9, et al
In the original Greek the word is written: ἀκροβυστία
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of akrobystia (G203) across the King James Bible.
Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
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:
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.
Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
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Common questions
Strong's G203 (akrobystia) is a Greek word that means: foreskin; uncircumcision, the state of being uncircumcised, Rom. 4:10; the abstract being put for the concrete, uncircumcised men, i.e., Gentiles, Rom. 4:9, et al It appears 17 times in the King James Bible.
The word akrobystia (G203) appears 17 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G203 is akrobystia, a Greek word defined as: foreskin; uncircumcision, the state of being uncircumcised, Rom. 4:10; the abstract being put for the concrete, uncircumcised men, i.e., Gentiles, Rom. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
akrobystia is a Greek word found in the New Testament.