25 For circumcision is of value if you do the law, but if you should be a transgressor of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 Therefore, if the uncircumcised person follows the requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be credited for circumcision? 27 And the uncircumcised person by nature who carries out the law will judge you who, though provided with the precise written code[a] and circumcision are a transgressor of the law. 28 For the Jew is not one outwardly[b], nor is circumcision outwardly[c], in the flesh. 29 But the Jew is one inwardly[d], and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter, whose praise is not from people but from God.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 2:27 Literally “the letter”
  2. Romans 2:28 Literally “in the open”
  3. Romans 2:28 Literally “in the open”
  4. Romans 2:29 Literally “in secret”

25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law,(A) but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised.(B) 26 So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements,(C) will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?(D) 27 The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you(E) who, even though you have the[a] written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.

28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly,(F) nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.(G) 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart,(H) by the Spirit,(I) not by the written code.(J) Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.(K)

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 2:27 Or who, by means of a