Romans 2 28

Romans 2:28 kjv

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

Romans 2:28 nkjv

For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh;

Romans 2:28 niv

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

Romans 2:28 esv

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

Romans 2:28 nlt

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.

Romans 2 verses

Romans 2 28 Meaning

Romans 2:28 declares that true Jewish identity and true circumcision are not determined by outward physical markers or mere ethnic descent. It emphasizes that what truly defines a "Jew" or the reality of "circumcision" is not what is visible to the eye but rather an internal, spiritual condition. This verse sets the stage for Paul's argument that outward religious observances without inward transformation are insufficient in God's sight.

Romans 2 28 Context

Romans 2:28 concludes Paul's argument (beginning in 2:17) directly challenging the Jewish individual who boasts in the Law and in external religious privileges like circumcision. Paul had already established that both Gentiles (Rom 1) and Jews are under sin, and therefore under God's righteous judgment (Rom 2:1-16). In verses 17-24, he indicts the Jew for hypocrisy: though boasting in their special covenant relationship and their knowledge of the Law, they often dishonor God by breaking the very Law they teach. He then discusses the inadequacy of physical circumcision if the Law is transgressed (Rom 2:25-27), leading to the pronouncements in verse 28 that true identity is not external. This verse sets the stage for the definitive explanation in Romans 2:29 and then shifts to broader theological arguments about God's righteousness, the role of the Law, and justification by faith in Romans chapter 3 onwards. The historical context reflects a time when Jewish identity and distinctiveness were largely defined by the covenant sign of circumcision and adherence to the Mosaic Law. Paul is dismantling the polemic of Jewish superiority based on these external markers, paving the way for the inclusion of Gentiles on equal terms in the new covenant, emphasizing faith and inner transformation over outward conformity.

Romans 2 28 Word analysis

• For (γάρ - gar): This conjunction introduces a logical reason or explanation, connecting the statement to the preceding argument. It indicates that the verse offers the underlying truth for the inadequacy of outward observance.
• he is not a Jew (οὐκ ἔστιν Ἰουδαῖος - ouk estin Ioudaios):
  • Jew (Ἰουδαῖος - Ioudaios): This term originally referred to a person from Judah or a Judean, then broadly to a member of the Jewish people or religion. Here, Paul redefines its meaning, moving from a primarily ethnic/genealogical or externally religious identifier to a spiritual one. He challenges the traditional understanding.
  • is not (οὐκ ἔστιν - ouk estin): A strong negation, indicating a categorical rejection of outward criteria alone.
• which is one outwardly (ὁ ἐν τῷ φανερῷ - ho en tō phanerō):
  • Outwardly (φανερῷ - phanerō, from φανερός - phaneros): Pertains to what is visible, manifest, or evident to the physical senses. It points to the external appearance, contrasting with an internal, unseen reality.
• neither is that circumcision (οὐδὲ ἡ περιτομή - oude hē peritomē):
  • Circumcision (περιτομή - peritomē): The physical surgical act, a fundamental covenant sign for Abraham and his descendants in the Old Testament (Gen 17). It was central to Jewish identity and set them apart from the Gentiles. Paul challenges its absolute value as a sole determinant of a righteous relationship with God.
  • neither is (οὐδὲ - oude): A compound negation, reinforcing the previous "not."
• which is outward in the flesh (ἡ ἐν τῷ φανερῷ ἐν σαρκί - hē en tō phanerō en sarki):
  • Outward (φανερῷ - phanerō): Repeats the emphasis on visibility.
  • in the flesh (ἐν σαρκί - en sarki):
    • Flesh (σάρξ - sarx): Here refers specifically to the physical body, the material aspect of human existence. It signifies what is purely corporeal, visible, and externally enacted, differentiating it from a spiritual, internal reality. It highlights that the act itself is performed on the body, thereby external.

Words-group Analysis:

• "For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly": This phrase challenges the notion that mere physical or ethnic lineage automatically grants one the status of a "true" Jew in God's eyes. It asserts that external markers alone, visible to humans, are insufficient to define God's chosen people in the ultimate sense. Paul reframes identity from heritage to heart condition.
• "neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh": This mirrors the first part of the verse, applying the same principle to the ritual of circumcision. It directly disputes the efficacy of the physical act itself, if not accompanied by an inner spiritual reality. The emphasis on "outward in the flesh" reiterates the focus on the external, physical performance rather than the spiritual transformation it was meant to signify. The combination of both phrases underscores that for God, what counts is internal and spiritual, not external or carnal.

Romans 2 28 Bonus section

This verse, along with Rom 2:29, demonstrates Paul's interpretive method of fulfilling the Old Testament. Instead of abolishing Old Testament commands like circumcision, Paul reinterprets them by deepening their spiritual meaning. He grounds this spiritual redefinition in passages from the Old Testament itself that speak of the "circumcision of the heart" (e.g., Deut 30:6; Jer 4:4), showing that an inner spiritual transformation was always God's ultimate desire, even when outward signs were given. This theological move is essential for understanding the transition from the Old Covenant to the New, where the external markers of Jewish identity are superseded by the internal reality of faith in Christ and regeneration by the Holy Spirit for both Jews and Gentiles.

Romans 2 28 Commentary

Romans 2:28 represents a pivotal statement in Paul's letter, effectively shattering the prevailing Jewish assumption that ethnic identity and ritual observance, particularly circumcision, automatically guaranteed a righteous standing before God. Paul argues that God's assessment transcends human external distinctions. To be a "Jew" is not simply about birth or belonging to a certain ethnic group. Likewise, "circumcision" is not merely a physical act performed on the body. These outward signs, given by God under the old covenant, were meant to symbolize a deeper, internal reality—a dedication of the heart to God. However, they were often reduced to mere rituals, performed without true submission or spiritual transformation. Paul confronts this superficiality directly. This verse, therefore, serves as a crucial theological bridge, reorienting the concept of covenant membership and God's people from a physical, lineage-based understanding to a spiritual, faith-based one, paving the way for the inclusion of Gentiles by faith. It highlights God's demand for internal purity and sincerity over external show. For instance, just as a nation's citizenship is more than holding a passport (but also upholding its laws and values), true spiritual identity is more than outward religious acts; it involves a changed heart and spirit aligned with God's will.