Romans 2:28

A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical.

Berean Standard Bible

In The King James Version

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

In Context

27The 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.

29No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God.

Read all of Romans 2

Cross References

Psalms 73:1Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

Isaiah 48:1“Listen to this, O house of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel, who have descended from the line of Judah, who swear by the name of the LORD, who invoke the God of Israel— but not in truth or righteousness—

Hosea 1:6Gomer again conceived and gave birth to a daughter, and the LORD said to Hosea, “Name her Lo-ruhamah, for I will no longer have compassion on the house of Israel, that I should ever forgive them.

John 1:47When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, He said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceit.”

Romans 2:17Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;

Romans 9:6It is not as though God’s word has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.

Matthew Henry on Romans 2:18-29

The Pretensions of the Jews; The Depravity of the Jews. ( a. d. 58.) 17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, 18 And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; 19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, 20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. 21 Thou therefore which teachest… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Romans 2:28