Romans 2:25
What does Romans 2:25 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 2:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 2:25 means
Circumcision, as a covenant sign, has real value—but only if accompanied by obedience to the Law it signifies. If a person breaks the Law, the outward mark is emptied of meaning; it is as if he were uncircumcised. Paul does not denigrate the sign; he insists on its moral intent. Signs point to realities, and covenant signs point to covenant faithfulness. When the sign is prized and the substance neglected, the sign becomes a hollow shell. True security cannot rest on outward badges but must be rooted in a life that corresponds to God’s revealed will.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For circumcision indeed profiteth, if thou be a doer of the law: but if thou be a transgressor of the law, thy circumcision is become uncircumcision.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For circumcision indeed profiteth, if thou be a doer of the law: but if thou be a transgressor of the law, thy circumcision is become uncircumcision.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949It is true that circumcision is of use if you keep the law, but if you go against the law it is as if you had it not.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862For circumcision, indeed, doth profit, if law thou mayest practise, but if a transgressor of law thou mayest be, thy circumcision hath become uncircumcision.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Circumcision profiteth indeed, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a transgressor of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For circumcision indeed profits if thou keep [the] law; but if thou be a law-transgressor, thy circumcision is become uncircumcision.
Context
Following the indictment that hypocrisy causes God’s name to be blasphemed, Paul addresses circumcision, the emblem of Jewish identity. Verse 25 states its conditional value. Verses 26–27 will press the logic further: if an uncircumcised person keeps the Law’s requirements, his obedience counts more than the lack of the sign, and he stands as a rebuke to the circumcised transgressor. The thread continues the theme of reality over appearance.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 6:15
For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
- Romans 4:11
and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned unto them;
- Galatians 5:3
Yea, I testify again to every man that receiveth circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
- Ephesians 2:11
Wherefore remember, that once ye, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands;
- Romans 2:23
thou who gloriest in the law, through thy transgression of the law dishonorest thou God?
- Jeremiah 4:4
Circumcise yourselves to Jehovah, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest my wrath go forth like fire, and burn so that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.
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