9:25, 26 circumcised merely in the flesh. See 4:4. Israel is outwardly circumcised, but inwardly uncircumcised. The surrounding nations practiced circumcision, but not as a covenant sign of belonging to the Lord. Because Israel and Judah are uncircumcised in their hearts, they are effectively in the same condition as the nations. See Rom. 2:25–29; 4:9–12; 9:8; Gal. 5:6; 6:15.