Romans 2:28

28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.

Romans 2:28 in Other Translations

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

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

28 For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision.

28 Don't you see: It's not the cut of a knife that makes a Jew.

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

28 A person is not a Jew because of his appearance, nor is circumcision a matter of how the body looks.

28 For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, and [true] circumcision is not something visible in the flesh.

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 So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?

27 The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.

28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.

29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.

Cross References

• 1. Matthew 3:9; John 8:39; Romans 9:6,7
• 2. Galatians 6:15