Romans 2:27

27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law ¹will condemn you who have ²the written code^[a] and circumcision but break the law.

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 is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision.

26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?

27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law.

28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical.

29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

Cross References

• 1. See Matthew 12:41
• 2. ver. 29; Romans 7:6; 2 Corinthians 3:6

Footnotes

• [a]. Or the letter