Romans 2:27

27 and uncircumcision by nature, fulfilling the law, judge thee, who, with letter and circumcision, [art] a law-transgressor?

Romans 2:27 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 2:27

And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature
That is, the Gentiles, who are by nature uncircumcised; for as circumcision was by the command of God, and performed by the art of men, uncircumcision is by nature, and what men naturally have. Now

if it,
such persons,

fulfil the law
in Christ, they will

judge thee,
the circumcision: and condemn, as Noah condemned the old world, ( Hebrews 11:7 ) , and the men of Nineveh and the queen of the south will condemn the men of that generation, in which Christ lived, ( Matthew 12:41 Matthew 12:42 ) ( Luke 11:31 Luke 11:32 ) .

Who by the letter and circumcision transgress the law;
that is, either by the law, which is "the letter", and "by circumcision", or "by circumcision which is in the letter", ( Romans 2:29 ) , sin being increased by the prohibitions of the moral law, and the rituals of the ceremonial law, and the more so by a dependence upon an obedience to either of them, or both, for justification.

Romans 2:27 In-Context

25 For circumcision indeed profits if thou keep [the] law; but if thou be a law-transgressor, thy circumcision is become uncircumcision.

26 If therefore the uncircumcision keep the requirements of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be reckoned for circumcision,

27 and uncircumcision by nature, fulfilling the law, judge thee, who, with letter and circumcision, [art] a law-transgressor?

28 For he is not a Jew who [is] one outwardly, neither that circumcision which is outward in flesh;

29 but he [is] a Jew [who is so] inwardly; and circumcision, of the heart, in spirit, not in letter; whose praise [is] not of men, but of God.

Footnotes

• [a]. Dia. The expression has the sense of 'in a given state or condition,' as well as 'by means of.' Their having or possessing the letter of the law and circumcision practically puts the Jews in that condition.