Romans 2:28

For the true Yehudi (Jew) is not the one [humanly] perceived as such, nor true milah that which is performed visibly in the flesh;

Orthodox Jewish 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

27And the naturally uncircumcised ben Adam who has mishma'at (obedience) to the Torah + 2:27 T.N. Ro 2:15 will arise as a judgment on you. You! The very one who through chumra (stringency, strict adherence to the letter of the law) and circumcision + 2:27 i.e., uncircumcision, see Ro 2:25 are the transgressor + 2:27 Ro 7:22-23; Yn 7:19 of Torah!

29The true Yehudi is so in [ Hashemʼs] hidden way, and true milah is of the lev, in the [hitkhadshut (renewal) of the] Ruach Hakodesh, + 2:29 Yn 3:3 not in [chumra (stringency, boasting of zokheh in machmir meritorious strict)] letter. He has y'hodeh (praise) + 2:29 Yehudah, yadah praise…see Gn 29:35 that comes not from Bnei Adam but from Hashem. + 2:29 T.N. Jer 31:31-34

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Cross References

Psalms 73:1(Mizmor of Asaph) 1 even to the barei levav (pure of heart). 1

Isaiah 48:1Hear ye this, O Bais Ya'akov, 1 which are called b'shem Yisroel, 1 and are come forth out of the waters of Yehudah, 1 which take oaths b'Shem Hashem, 1 and invoke Elohei Yisroel, 1 but not in emes, nor in tzedakah. 1

Hosea 1:6And she conceived again, and bore a bat. And G-d said unto him, Call her shem Lo-ruchamah (not pitied); for I will no more have pity upon Bais Yisroel; since I have been utterly betrayed by them. + 1:6 1K 2:10

John 1:47Yehoshua saw Natan'el coming to him, and he says, Hinei a genuine Ben Yisroel, in whom is no MIRMAH (deceit). + 1:47 Ps 32:2; Zeph 3:13; Isa 53:9

Romans 2:17But if you are called by the name Yehudi (Jew) and rely on the Torah and boast in Hashem, + 2:17 T.N. Contra Ro 3:20; 4:2

Romans 9:6But it is not as though the Dvar Hashem has failed. For not all those descended from Yisroel are truly redeemed Yisroel [of the eschatological Geulah Redemption].

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 →

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