Romans 2:28
What does Romans 2:28 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 2:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 2:28 means
Paul declares that true Jewish identity is not merely outward, and true circumcision is not limited to what happens in the flesh. Being part of God’s covenant people cannot be reduced to external signs or ethnic lineage. Outward marks have meaning only as expressions of an inner reality. This challenges any confidence that rests on appearance, ceremony, or heritage. It is a call to seek the inward work that such signs were meant to signify—a heart aligned with God. The verse prepares for the positive statement to follow about inwardness as the true measure of covenant identity.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh:
KJV
King James Version · 1611For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The true Jew is not one who is only so publicly, and circumcision is not that which may be seen in the flesh:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862For he is not a Jew who is <FI>so<Fi> outwardly, neither <FI>is<Fi> circumcision that which is outward in flesh;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For it is not he is a Jew, who is so outwardly: nor is that circumcision which is outwardly in the flesh.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For he is not a Jew who [is] one outwardly, neither that circumcision which is outward in flesh;
Context
After showing the failure of relying on external signs (verses 25–27), Paul now states the principle negatively: outward identity and ritual are not the essence of being a Jew. Verse 28 removes false grounds of confidence, setting up verse 29’s positive definition of true Jewishness and true circumcision. This turns the discussion from signs and letters to the heart and the Spirit’s work, which God, not men, commends.
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?
v.28This passage
v.29but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Peter 3:21
which also after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ;
- John 1:47
Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
- Revelation 2:9
I know thy tribulation, and thy poverty (but thou art rich), and the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
- Matthew 3:9
and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
- Hosea 1:6
And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And Jehovah said unto him, Call her name Lo-ruhamah; for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel, that I should in any wise pardon them.
- Psalms 73:1
Surely God is good to Israel, Evento such as are pure in heart.
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