Romans 2:28

28 A man is not a Jew if he is a Jew only on the outside. And circumcision is more than just something done to the outside of a man's body.

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 Sometimes those who aren't circumcised do what the law requires. Won't God accept them as if they had been circumcised?

27 Many are not circumcised physically, but they obey the law. They will prove that you are guilty. You are breaking the law, even though you have the written law and are circumcised.

28 A man is not a Jew if he is a Jew only on the outside. And circumcision is more than just something done to the outside of a man's body.

29 No, a man is a Jew only if he is a Jew on the inside. And true circumcision means that the heart has been circumcised. It is done by the Holy Spirit. It is more than just obeying the written Law. Then a man's praise will not come from others. It will come from God.