Romans 2:26
What does Romans 2:26 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 2:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 2:26 means
Paul poses a provocative scenario: if an uncircumcised person keeps the righteous requirements of the Law, would not God regard him as if he were circumcised? The point is that obedience carries weight with God beyond outward rituals. This does not erase God’s commands but prioritizes their intended effect—a heart and life conformed to His will. The verse undercuts any reliance on external identity markers as a substitute for righteousness. It hints that belonging to God’s people is ultimately measured by conformity to God’s standards, not by physical signs alone.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000If therefore the uncircumcision keep the ordinances of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be reckoned for circumcision?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901If therefore the uncircumcision keep the ordinances of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be reckoned for circumcision?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If those who have not circumcision keep the rules of the law, will it not be credited to them as circumcision?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862If, therefore the uncircumcision the righteousness of the law may keep, shall not his uncircumcision for circumcision be reckoned?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752If then, the uncircumcised keep the justices of the law, shall not this uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890If therefore the uncircumcision keep the requirements of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be reckoned for circumcision,
Context
Advancing the argument from verse 25, verse 26 shows that obedience without the sign is of greater weight than the sign without obedience. Paul is building toward redefining true Jewishness in inward terms (verses 28–29). Verse 27 will sharpen the contrast by saying that such obedient uncircumcision will judge the disobedient circumcised, highlighting the shame of relying on the letter while breaking the Law.
v.25For 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.
v.26This passage
v.27and shall not the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who with the letter and circumcision art a transgressor of the law?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 15:28
Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it done unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was healed from that hour.
- Acts 11:3
saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
- Matthew 8:11
And I say unto you, that many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven:
- Isaiah 56:6
Also the foreigners that join themselves to Jehovah, to minister unto him, and to love the name of Jehovah, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from profaning it, and holdeth fast my covenant;
- Colossians 2:11
in whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ;
- Romans 3:30
if so be that God is one, and he shall justify the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith.
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