Jewish Violation of the Law

¹⁷ Now if^[a] you call yourself a Jew, and rely on the law,^(A) and boast in God, ¹⁸ and know his will, and approve the things that are superior,^(B) being instructed from the law, ¹⁹ and if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light to those in darkness, ²⁰ an instructor of the ignorant, a teacher of the immature, having the embodiment of knowledge and truth^(C) in the law— ²¹ you then, who teach another,^(D) don’t you teach yourself? You who preach, “You must not steal”—do you steal? ²² You who say, “You must not commit adultery”—do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob temples?^{(E) 23} You who boast in the law,^(F) do you dishonor God by breaking the law?^{[b] 24} For, as it is written: The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.^[c](G)

Circumcision of the Heart

²⁵ Circumcision benefits you if you observe the law, but if you are a lawbreaker, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.^{(H) 26} So if an uncircumcised^(I) man keeps the law’s requirements,^(J) will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? ²⁷ A man who is physically uncircumcised, but who keeps the law, will judge you^(K) who are a lawbreaker in spite of having the letter of the law and circumcision. ²⁸ For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly,^(L) and true circumcision is not something visible in the flesh. ²⁹ On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly,^(M) and circumcision is of the heart—by the Spirit, not the letter.^[d](N) That person’s praise is not from people but from God.^(O)

Paul Answers an Objection

3 So what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? ² Considerable in every way. First, they were entrusted^(A) with the very words of God.^{(B) 3} What then? If some were unfaithful,^(C) will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? ⁴ Absolutely not!^(D) Let God be true, even though everyone is a liar,^(E) as it is written:

⁵ But if our unrighteousness highlights^[b] God’s righteousness,^(G) what are we to say?^(H) I am using a human argument:^[c](I) Is God unrighteous to inflict wrath? ⁶ Absolutely not! Otherwise, how will God judge the world?^{(J) 7} But if by my lie God’s truth abounds to his glory, why am I also still being judged as a sinner?^{(K) 8} And why not say, just as some people slanderously claim we say, “Let us do what is evil so that good may come”?^(L) Their condemnation is deserved!