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id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/romans/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/romans/2.htm">New International Version</a> 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. <a href="/nlt/romans/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God’s law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God’s law but don’t obey it. <a href="/esv/romans/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. <a href="/bsb/romans/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> The one who is physically uncircumcised yet keeps the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker. <a href="/blb/romans/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And the uncircumcision by nature, fulfilling the Law, will judge you who with the letter and circumcision are a transgressor of Law. <a href="/kjv/romans/2.htm">King James Bible</a> And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? <a href="/nkjv/romans/2.htm">New King James Version</a> And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law? <a href="/nasb_/romans/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a violator of the Law? <a href="/nasb/romans/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law? <a href="/nasb77/romans/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And will not he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law? <a href="/lsb/romans/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the Law, will he not judge you who, through the letter of the Law and circumcision, are a transgressor of the Law? <a href="/amp/romans/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps [the spirit of] the Law will judge you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, break the Law. <a href="/csb/romans/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> A man who is physically uncircumcised, but who keeps the law, will judge you who are a lawbreaker in spite of having the letter of the law and circumcision. <a href="/hcsb/romans/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> A man who is physically uncircumcised, but who fulfills the law, will judge you who are a lawbreaker in spite of having the letter of the law and circumcision. <a href="/asv/romans/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> and 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? <a href="/cev/romans/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> So everyone who obeys the Law, but has never been circumcised, will condemn you. Even though you are circumcised and have the Law, you still don't obey its teachings. <a href="/erv/romans/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> and shall not the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfill the law, judge thee, who with the letter and circumcision art a transgressor of the law? <a href="/gwt/romans/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The uncircumcised man who carries out what Moses' Teachings say will condemn you for not following them. He will condemn you in spite of the fact that you are circumcised and have Moses' Teachings in writing. <a href="/gnt/romans/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> And so you Jews will be condemned by the Gentiles because you break the Law, even though you have it written down and are circumcised; but they obey the Law, even though they are not physically circumcised. <a href="/isv/romans/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> The man who is uncircumcised physically but who keeps the Law will condemn you who break the Law, even though you have the written Law and circumcision. <a href="/msb/romans/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> The one who is physically uncircumcised yet keeps the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker. <a href="/net/romans/2.htm">NET Bible</a> And will not the physically uncircumcised man who keeps the law judge you who, despite the written code and circumcision, transgress the law? <a href="/nheb/romans/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Won't the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfills the law, judge you, who with the letter and circumcision are a transgressor of the law? <a href="/wbt/romans/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfilleth the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? <a href="/wey/romans/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> although he is a Gentile by birth, if he scrupulously obeys the Law, shall he not sit in judgement upon you who, possessing, as you do, a written Law and circumcision, are yet a Law-breaker? <a href="/web/romans/2.htm">World English Bible</a> Won’t those who are physically uncircumcised, but fulfill the law, judge you, who with the letter and circumcision are a transgressor of the law? <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/romans/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And the uncircumcision, by nature, fulfilling the Law, will judge you who, through letter and circumcision, [are] a transgressor of law. <a href="/blb/romans/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And the uncircumcision by nature, fulfilling the Law, will judge you who with the letter and circumcision are a transgressor of Law. <a href="/ylt/romans/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and the uncircumcision, by nature, fulfilling the law, shall judge thee who, through letter and circumcision, art a transgressor of law. <a href="/slt/romans/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And shall not uncircumcision by nature, completing the law, judge thee, which by letter and circumcision a transgressor of the law?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/romans/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And shall not that which by nature is uncircumcision, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision art a transgressor of the law? <a href="/cpdv/romans/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And that which is by nature uncircumcised, if it fulfills the law, should it not judge you, who by the letter and by circumcision are a betrayer of the law? <a href="/nabre/romans/2.htm">New American Bible</a> Indeed, those who are physically uncircumcised but carry out the law will pass judgment on you, with your written law and circumcision, who break the law. <a href="/nrsvce/romans/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then those who are physically uncircumcised but keep the law will condemn you that have the written code and circumcision but break the law.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/romans/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And the uncircumcision which fulfills the law naturally, will condemn you, who, while in possession of the scripture and circumcision, transgress the law. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/romans/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And uncircumcision which by its nature perfectly observes The Written Law will judge you, who with the Scripture and with circumcision, violate The Written Law.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/romans/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And shall not he whose want of circumcision is owing to his birth, if he keeps the law, condemn you, who, by the literal circumcision, transgress the law? <a href="/godbey/romans/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> and that which is uncircumcision by nature, perfecting the law, will judge you, who through the letter and circumcision are a transgressor of the law. <a href="/haweis/romans/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And the uncircumcision by nature which fulfilleth the law shall condemn thee, who through the letter and circumcision art a transgressor of the law. <a href="/mace/romans/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and shall not a Gentile, tho' he is not actually circumcised, if he fulfil the law, condemn thee, who, tho' literally circumcised, dost yet transgress the law? <a href="/wey/romans/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> although he is a Gentile by birth, if he scrupulously obeys the Law, shall he not sit in judgement upon you who, possessing, as you do, a written Law and circumcision, are yet a Law-breaker? <a href="/worrell/romans/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And shall not the uncircumcision that is by nature, if it fulfills the law, judge you, with the letter and circumcision, to be a transgressor of the law? <a href="/worsley/romans/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> and shall not the uncircumcision that is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision art a transgressor of the law? for he is not a Jew, who is only so in appearance; <a href="/parallel/romans/2-27.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIZs4GUMn-g?start=540" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/romans/2.htm">The Jews and the Law</a> …26If a man who is not circumcised keeps the requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">The one who is</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out."></a> <a href="/greek/5449.htm" title="5449: physeōs (N-GFS) -- From phuo; growth, i.e. natural production; by extension, a genus or sort; figuratively, native disposition, constitution or usage.">physically</a> <a href="/greek/203.htm" title="203: akrobystia (N-NFS) -- From akron and probably a modified form of posthe; the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised state or person.">uncircumcised</a> <a href="/greek/5055.htm" title="5055: telousa (V-PPA-NFS) -- (a) I end, finish, (b) I fulfill, accomplish, (c) I pay. From telos; to end, i.e. Complete, execute, conclude, discharge.">yet keeps</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3551.htm" title="3551: nomon (N-AMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">law</a> <a href="/greek/2919.htm" title="2919: krinei (V-FIA-3S) -- Properly, to distinguish, i.e. Decide; by implication, to try, condemn, punish.">will condemn</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: se (PPro-A2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">who,</a> <a href="/greek/1223.htm" title="1223: dia (Prep) -- A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.">even though you have</a> <a href="/greek/1121.htm" title="1121: grammatos (N-GNS) -- From grapho; a writing, i.e. A letter, note, epistle, book, etc. plural learning.">the written code</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/4061.htm" title="4061: peritomēs (N-GFS) -- Circumcision. From peritemno; circumcision.">circumcision,</a> <a href="/greek/3848.htm" title="3848: parabatēn (N-AMS) -- A transgressor, law-breaker. From parabaino; a violator.">are a lawbreaker.</a> <a href="/greek/3551.htm" title="3551: nomou (N-GMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively."></a> 28A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/galatians/6-15.htm">Galatians 6:15</a> For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. What counts is a new creation. <a href="/philippians/3-3.htm">Philippians 3:3</a> For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— <a href="/colossians/2-11.htm">Colossians 2:11</a> In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands. <a href="/1_corinthians/7-19.htm">1 Corinthians 7:19</a> Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commandments is what counts. <a href="/galatians/5-6.htm">Galatians 5:6</a> For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. What matters is faith expressing itself through love. <a href="/romans/3-30.htm">Romans 3:30</a> since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. <a href="/romans/4-11.htm">Romans 4:11-12</a> And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. / And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. <a href="/romans/9-30.htm">Romans 9:30-31</a> What then will we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; / but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. <a href="/matthew/3-9.htm">Matthew 3:9</a> And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. <a href="/john/8-39.htm">John 8:39</a> “Abraham is our father,” they replied. “If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, “you would do the works of Abraham. <a href="/acts/7-51.htm">Acts 7:51</a> You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did. <a href="/deuteronomy/10-16.htm">Deuteronomy 10:16</a> Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and stiffen your necks no more. <a href="/jeremiah/4-4.htm">Jeremiah 4:4</a> Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and remove the foreskins of your hearts, O men of Judah and people of Jerusalem. Otherwise, My wrath will break out like fire and burn with no one to extinguish it, because of your evil deeds.” <a href="/ezekiel/44-7.htm">Ezekiel 44:7-9</a> In addition to all your other abominations, you brought in foreigners uncircumcised in both heart and flesh to occupy My sanctuary; you defiled My temple when you offered My food—the fat and the blood; you broke My covenant. / And you have not kept charge of My holy things, but have appointed others to keep charge of My sanctuary for you.’ / This is what the Lord GOD says: No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and flesh may enter My sanctuary—not even a foreigner who lives among the Israelites. <a href="/isaiah/56-4.htm">Isaiah 56:4-5</a> For this is what the LORD says: “To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, who choose what pleases Me and hold fast to My covenant— / I will give them, in My house and within My walls, a memorial and a name better than that of sons and daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfill the law, judge you, who by the letter and circumcision do transgress the law?if it fulfil.<a href="/romans/8-4.htm">Romans 8:4</a> That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.<a href="/romans/13-10.htm">Romans 13:10</a> Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.<a href="/matthew/3-15.htm">Matthew 3:15</a> And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.judge.<a href="/ezekiel/16-48.htm">Ezekiel 16:48-52</a> As I live, saith the Lord GOD, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters… <a href="/matthew/12-41.htm">Matthew 12:41,42</a> The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here… <a href="/hebrews/11-3.htm">Hebrews 11:3</a> Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.by the.<a href="/romans/2-20.htm">Romans 2:20,29</a> An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law… <a href="/romans/7-6.htm">Romans 7:6-8</a> But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter… <a href="/2_corinthians/3-6.htm">2 Corinthians 3:6</a> Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/romans/2-3.htm">Although</a> <a href="/acts/24-24.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/romans/2-26.htm">Circumcised</a> <a href="/romans/2-26.htm">Circumcision</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-18.htm">Code</a> <a href="/romans/2-1.htm">Condemn</a> <a href="/acts/13-22.htm">Fulfil</a> <a href="/psalms/145-19.htm">Fulfilleth</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-26.htm">Fulfills</a> <a href="/romans/2-24.htm">Gentile</a> <a href="/romans/2-18.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/romans/2-3.htm">Judgement</a> <a href="/romans/2-16.htm">Judges</a> <a href="/acts/26-5.htm">Keeping</a> <a href="/romans/2-26.htm">Keeps</a> <a href="/romans/2-26.htm">Law</a> <a href="/galatians/2-18.htm">Law-Breaker</a> <a href="/romans/2-14.htm">Nature</a> <a href="/john/14-21.htm">Obeys</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/5-3.htm">Physically</a> <a href="/nahum/1-2.htm">Possessing</a> <a href="/acts/21-24.htm">Scrupulously</a> <a href="/romans/2-1.htm">Sit</a> <a href="/mark/7-5.htm">Transgress</a> <a href="/romans/2-25.htm">Transgressor</a> <a href="/romans/2-26.htm">Uncircumcised</a> <a href="/romans/2-26.htm">Uncircumcision</a> <a href="/romans/2-26.htm">Won't</a> <a href="/romans/2-24.htm">Written</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/romans/3-21.htm">Although</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-26.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/romans/3-30.htm">Circumcised</a> <a href="/romans/2-28.htm">Circumcision</a> <a href="/romans/2-29.htm">Code</a> <a href="/romans/8-34.htm">Condemn</a> <a href="/romans/13-14.htm">Fulfil</a> <a href="/genesis/29-28.htm">Fulfilleth</a> <a href="/job/14-6.htm">Fulfills</a> <a href="/romans/10-12.htm">Gentile</a> <a href="/romans/3-4.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/romans/5-16.htm">Judgement</a> <a href="/romans/13-3.htm">Judges</a> <a href="/romans/5-19.htm">Keeping</a> <a href="/romans/14-6.htm">Keeps</a> <a href="/romans/3-19.htm">Law</a> <a href="/galatians/2-18.htm">Law-Breaker</a> <a href="/romans/6-6.htm">Nature</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-5.htm">Obeys</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/5-3.htm">Physically</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-30.htm">Possessing</a> <a href="/galatians/4-10.htm">Scrupulously</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-2.htm">Sit</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-6.htm">Transgress</a> <a href="/galatians/2-18.htm">Transgressor</a> <a href="/romans/3-30.htm">Uncircumcised</a> <a href="/romans/3-30.htm">Uncircumcision</a> <a href="/romans/11-25.htm">Won't</a> <a href="/romans/2-29.htm">Written</a><div class="vheading2">Romans 2</div>1. <a href="/romans/2-1.htm">No excuse for sin.</a> 6. <a href="/romans/2-6.htm">No escape from judgment.</a> 14. <a href="/romans/2-14.htm">Gentiles cannot;</a> 17. <a href="/romans/2-17.htm">nor Jews.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/romans/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>The one who is physically uncircumcised yet keeps the law This phrase highlights the distinction between outward physical signs and inward spiritual obedience. In the Jewish context, circumcision was a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham (<a href="/genesis/17-10.htm">Genesis 17:10-14</a>). However, Paul emphasizes that true righteousness comes from obeying God's law, not merely external rituals. This echoes the Old Testament prophets, such as Jeremiah, who spoke of the need for a "circumcision of the heart" (<a href="/jeremiah/4-4.htm">Jeremiah 4:4</a>). The idea is that Gentiles, who were not physically circumcised, could still fulfill the law's requirements through their actions and faith, aligning with the New Covenant promise of the law written on hearts (<a href="/jeremiah/31-33.htm">Jeremiah 31:33</a>).will condemn you who This part of the verse suggests a reversal of expectations. The Jewish audience, who prided themselves on their covenant status, would be judged by the very Gentiles they considered inferior. This is reminiscent of Jesus' teachings, where He often turned societal norms upside down, such as in the parable of the Good Samaritan (<a href="/luke/10-25.htm">Luke 10:25-37</a>). The concept of being judged by one's actions rather than heritage is a consistent biblical theme, emphasizing personal responsibility and the universality of God's judgment.even though you have the written code and circumcision The "written code" refers to the Torah, the law given to Moses, which was central to Jewish identity and religious practice. Circumcision was a physical sign of belonging to God's chosen people. However, Paul argues that possession of the law and the sign of circumcision are insufficient for righteousness if not accompanied by obedience. This critique aligns with the prophetic tradition, where prophets like Isaiah and Amos condemned empty ritualism (<a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11-17</a>, <a href="/amos/5-21.htm">Amos 5:21-24</a>). The emphasis is on the spirit of the law rather than the letter, a theme Paul expands upon in his letters (<a href="/2_corinthians/3-6.htm">2 Corinthians 3:6</a>).are a lawbreaker Despite having the law and the sign of the covenant, the Jewish people are still capable of breaking the law. This underscores the universality of sin, as Paul later elaborates in <a href="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a>, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." The term "lawbreaker" indicates that mere possession of the law does not equate to righteousness. This concept is foundational to Paul's argument that both Jews and Gentiles need salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the law (<a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a>). The inability to keep the law perfectly points to the necessity of grace and the redemptive work of Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of the Book of Romans, addressing both Jewish and Gentile believers in Rome. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jewish_believers.htm">Jewish Believers</a> Those who have the written law and practice circumcision as a sign of the covenant with God. 3. <a href="/topical/g/gentile_believers.htm">Gentile Believers</a> Non-Jewish individuals who may not be circumcised but follow the moral law. 4. <a href="/topical/r/rome.htm">Rome</a> The city where the recipients of the letter reside, a diverse hub of early Christianity. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_law.htm">The Law</a> Refers to the Mosaic Law, which includes moral, ceremonial, and civil commandments given to Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/true_righteousness.htm">True Righteousness</a> Righteousness is not about external rituals but about internal obedience to God's law. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_law.htm">The Role of the Law</a> The law serves to reveal sin and our need for a Savior, not as a means to achieve righteousness on our own. <a href="/topical/h/heart_transformation.htm">Heart Transformation</a> God desires a transformation of the heart, which is evidenced by obedience and faith, not merely external compliance. <a href="/topical/j/judgment_and_accountability.htm">Judgment and Accountability</a> Those who have the law and fail to keep it are accountable, and those who follow God's moral law, even without the written code, demonstrate true obedience. <a href="/topical/i/inclusivity_of_the_gospel.htm">Inclusivity of the Gospel</a> The gospel is for all, Jew and Gentile alike, and true faith transcends cultural and religious boundaries.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_romans_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Romans 2</a> <a href="/q/diligent_or_slothful_habits.htm">What is the significance of circumcision in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_paul_and_peter_have_distinct_missions.htm">Galatians 2:7 - Why does Paul assert distinct missions for himself and Peter when Acts describes overlapping evangelistic activities, creating a potential contradiction?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_galatians_3_28_erase_distinctions.htm">How does Galatians 3:28's declaration of unity erase cultural, gender, and social distinctions that still seem to persist in both biblical and modern contexts?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_bible's_stance_on_racism.htm">What is the Bible's stance on racism?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/romans/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(27) Judge thee.--Comp. <a href="/context/matthew/12-41.htm" title="The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.">Matthew 12:41-42</a>, "The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it," et seq. The idea is that of "putting to shame by contrast."By the letter.--The preposition here marks the condition or circumstance under which the action is done, and might be paraphrased, "with all the advantages of the written Law and of circumcision."Here, again, the sentence may not be a question, but an affirmation.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/romans/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 27-29. - And shall not the uncircumcision which is by nature (i.e. men in a state of nature, Without any distinct revelation, or sign of a peculiar covenant) judge thee (thou presumest, in virtue of thy position, to judge them; nay, rather, they shall judge thee), who by (rather, with, i.e. though in possession of) the letter and circumcision dost transgress the Law? For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, not in the letter (or, in spirit, not in letter. Both the nouns, πνεύματι, and γράμματι, here are without the article, so as to bring out their inherent significance. See above as to ὁ νόμος and νόμος). Whose praise is not of men, but of God. In these two concluding verses we observe the double sense in which the term Ἰουδαῖος may be used. It denotes here one possessed of the true spirit of Judaism; in which sense the Gentile might be the better Jew. In a like double sense we may use the word "Christian" (cf. <a href="/john/1-47.htm">John 1:47</a>, ἀληθῶς Ἰσραηλίτης; <a href="/john/8-39.htm">John 8:39</a>, "If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham;" also ch. 4. and <a href="/galatians/3-7.htm">Galatians 3:7</a>). So, too, περιτομή for spiritual circumcision (περιτομὴ ἀχειροτοίητος <a href="/colossians/2-11.htm">Colossians 2:11</a>), in the sense of inward dedication to God's service, and "putting off the body of the sins of the flesh" (<a href="/colossians/2-11.htm">Colossians 2:11</a>; see also <a href="/philippians/3-2.htm">Philippians 3:2, 3</a>). Such ethical significance of the rite appears even in the Old Testament. We read there of "uncircumcised lips" (<a href="/exodus/6-12.htm">Exodus 6:12, 30</a>), or "ears" (<a href="/jeremiah/6-10.htm">Jeremiah 6:10</a>), or "hearts" (<a href="/leviticus/26-41.htm">Leviticus 26:41</a>); and in <a href="/deuteronomy/30-6.htm">Deuteronomy 30:6</a> we find the significant words." The LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live;" and in <a href="/jeremiah/4-4.htm">Jeremiah 4:4</a>, "Circumcise yourselves to the Loan, and take away the foreskins of your hearts, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem." (Cf. <a href="/isaiah/3-1.htm">Isaiah 3:1</a>, "Put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.") <a href="/commentaries/romans/2-27.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>The [one who is] ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. physically φύσεως (physeōs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5449.htm">Strong's 5449: </a> From phuo; growth, i.e. natural production; by extension, a genus or sort; figuratively, native disposition, constitution or usage. uncircumcised ἀκροβυστία (akrobystia) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_203.htm">Strong's 203: </a> From akron and probably a modified form of posthe; the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised state or person. [yet] keeps τελοῦσα (telousa) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5055.htm">Strong's 5055: </a> (a) I end, finish, (b) I fulfill, accomplish, (c) I pay. From telos; to end, i.e. Complete, execute, conclude, discharge. the τὸν (ton) Article - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Law νόμον (nomon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3551.htm">Strong's 3551: </a> From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively. will condemn κρινεῖ (krinei) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2919.htm">Strong's 2919: </a> Properly, to distinguish, i.e. Decide; by implication, to try, condemn, punish. you σὲ (se) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. who, τὸν (ton) Article - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. [even though you have] διὰ (dia) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1223.htm">Strong's 1223: </a> A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through. [the] written code γράμματος (grammatos) Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> From grapho; a writing, i.e. A letter, note, epistle, book, etc. plural learning. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. circumcision, περιτομῆς (peritomēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4061.htm">Strong's 4061: </a> Circumcision. From peritemno; circumcision. [are] a lawbreaker. παραβάτην (parabatēn) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3848.htm">Strong's 3848: </a> A transgressor, law-breaker. From parabaino; a violator. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/2-27.htm">Romans 2:27 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/romans/2-27.htm">Romans 2:27 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/romans/2-27.htm">Romans 2:27 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/romans/2-27.htm">Romans 2:27 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/romans/2-27.htm">Romans 2:27 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/2-27.htm">Romans 2:27 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/romans/2-27.htm">Romans 2:27 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/romans/2-27.htm">Romans 2:27 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/romans/2-27.htm">Romans 2:27 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/romans/2-27.htm">Romans 2:27 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/romans/2-27.htm">NT Letters: Romans 2:27 Won't the uncircumcision which is by nature (Rom. Ro) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/romans/2-26.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Romans 2:26"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Romans 2:26" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/romans/2-28.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Romans 2:28"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Romans 2:28" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>