Romans 2:28

28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, neither is circumcision that which is done outwardly in the flesh;

Romans 2:28 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 2:28

For he is not a Jew which is one outwardly
The apostle removes the plea in favour of the Jews, taken from their name and privilege, by distinguishing between a Jew and a Jew, and between circumcision and circumcision: "he is not a Jew which is one outwardly"; by mere name, nature, nation, religion, and profession:

neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh;
which takes away the flesh of the foreskin, but not the carnality of the heart; leaves a mark upon the flesh, but no impression on the mind. This is nothing, is not the true, solid, substantial, spiritual circumcision, which only avails in the sight of God.

Romans 2:28 In-Context

26 Therefore if the uncircumcised keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his foreskin be counted for circumcision?

27 And that which is by nature foreskin, but keeps the law perfectly, shall judge thee who with the letter and with the circumcision art rebellious to the law.

28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, neither is circumcision that which is done outwardly in the flesh;

29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit and not in the letter, whose praise is not of men, but of God.