Romans 2:28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.

◄ Romans 2:28 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.

English Standard Version
For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical.

New American Standard Bible
For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.

King James Bible
For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, and true circumcision is not something visible in the flesh.

International Standard Version
For a person is not a Jew because of his appearance, nor is circumcision something just external and physical.

American Standard Version
For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh:

Douay-Rheims Bible
For it is not he is a Jew, who is so outwardly; nor is that circumcision which is outwardly in the flesh:

Darby Bible Translation
For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, neither that circumcision which is outward in flesh;

Young's Literal Translation
For he is not a Jew who is so outwardly, neither is circumcision that which is outward in flesh;

Cross References

Jeremiah 4:4
Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, you men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.

Jeremiah 9:25
Behold, the days come, said the LORD, that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised;

Jeremiah 9:26
Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart.

John 8:39
They answered and said to him, Abraham is our father. Jesus said to them, If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham.

Romans 2:17
Behold, you are called a Jew, and rest in the law, and make your boast of God,

Romans 9:6
Not as though the word of God has taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

Galatians 6:15
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

Ephesians 2:11
Why remember, that you being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

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Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

2:25-29 No forms, ordinances, or notions can profit, without regenerating grace, which will always lead to seeking an interest in the righteousness of God by faith. For he is no more a Christian now, than he was really a Jew of old, who is only one outwardly: neither is that baptism, which is outward in the flesh: but he is the real Christian, who is inwardly a true believer, with an obedient faith. And the true baptism is that of the heart, by the washing of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Ghost; bringing a spiritual frame of mind, and a willing following of truth in its holy ways. Let us pray that we may be made real Christians, not outwardly, but inwardly; in the heart and spirit, not in the letter; baptized, not with water only, but with the Holy Ghost; and let our praise be, not of men, but of God.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

28. he is not a Jew which is one outwardly, &c.—In other words, the name of "Jew" and the rite of "circumcision" were designed but as outward symbols of a separation from the irreligious and ungodly world unto holy devotedness in heart and life to the God of salvation. Where this is realized, the signs are full of significance; but where it is not, they are worse than useless.

Note, (1) It is a sad mark of depravity when all that is designed and fitted to melt only hardens the heart (Ro 2:4, and compare 2Pe 3:9; Ec 8:11). (2) Amidst all the inequalities of religious opportunity measured out to men, and the mysterious bearing of this upon their character and destiny for eternity, the same great principles of judgment, in a form suited to their respective discipline, will be applied to all, and perfect equity will be seen to reign throughout every stage of the divine administration (Ro 2:11-16). (3) "The law written on the heart" (Ro 2:14, 15)—or the Ethics of Natural Theology—may be said to be the one deep foundation on which all revealed religion reposes; and see on [2185]Ro 1:19, 20, where we have what we may call its other foundation—the Physics and Metaphysics of Natural Theology. The testimony of these two passages is to the theologian invaluable, while in the breast of every teachable Christian it wakens such deep echoes as are inexpressibly solemn and precious. (4) High religious professions are a fearful aggravation of the inconsistencies of such as make them (Ro 2:17-24). See 2Sa 12:14. (5) As no external privileges, or badge of discipleship, will shield the unholy from the wrath of God, so neither will the want of them shut out from the kingdom of heaven such as have experienced without them that change of heart which the seals of God's covenant were designed to mark. In the sight of the great Searcher of hearts, the Judge of quick and dead, the renovation of the character in heart and life is all in all. In view of this, have not all baptized, sacramented disciples of the Lord Jesus, who "profess that they know God, but in works deny Him," need to tremble—who, under the guise of friends, are "the enemies of the cross of Christ?"