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Romans 2:28-29

For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is true circumcision something external and physical.
Rather, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart—it is spiritual and not literal.

The Bible Project gives us the best introduction to Paul’s epistle to the Romans you could ask for. Check it out in preparation for our class discussions.

Greek vocab - Chapter 2

krinōκρίνω • judge
katakrinōκατακρίνω • condemn
krimaκρίμα • judgment, verdict
chrēstosχρηστός • kindness, goodness, benevolence
metanoiaμετάνοια • repentance, change of mind and lifestyle
ametanoētosἀμετανόητος • impenitent, unrepentant
orgēὀργή • wrath, anger
dikaiokrisiaδικαιοκρισία • righteous judgment, just verdict
apokalyptōἀποκαλύπτω • reveal, disclose
apodidōmiἀποδίδωμι • repay, give back, pay back
aphtharsiaἀφθαρσία • immortality, incorruptibility, imperishability
apeitheōἀπειθέω • disobey, resist,
peithōπείθω • persuaded, convinced, won over, obey, follow
adikiaἀδικία • wickedness, evil, wrongdoing
IoudaiosἸουδαῖος • Jew
HellēnἝλλην • Greeks
prosōpolēmpsiaπροσωπολημψία • partiality, favoritism
nomosνόμος • law
akroatēsἀκροατής • hearer, listener
poiētēsποιητής • doer, observer
dikaioōδικαιόω • justify, vindicated, set right, declared righteous
ethnosἔθνος • nations, Gentiles
physisφύσις • by nature, instinctively
syneidēsisσυνείδησις • conscience
kryptosκρυπτός • secret, hidden, inward, inner, private
kauchaomaiκαυχάομαι • boast, glory
phanerosφανερός • outward, visible, external, known, manifest
sarxσάρξ • flesh, physical, of the body
kardiaκαρδία • heart, mind, inner self
pneumaκαρδία • spirit
grammaγράμμα • writings, written character, words, literal

NRSV - Chapter 2

1 Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things. 2 You say, “We know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is in accordance with truth.” 3 Do you imagine, whoever you are, that when you judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself, you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you despise the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you not realize that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But by your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 For he will repay according to each one’s deeds: 7 to those who by patiently doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 while for those who are self-seeking and who obey not the truth but wickedness, there will be wrath and fury. 9 There will be anguish and distress for everyone who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality.

12 All who have sinned apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14 When Gentiles, who do not possess the law, do instinctively what the law requires, these, though not having the law, are a law to themselves. 15 They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, to which their own conscience also bears witness; and their conflicting thoughts will accuse or perhaps excuse them 16 on the day when, according to my gospel, God, through Jesus Christ, will judge the secret thoughts of all.

17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast of your relation to God 18 and know his will and determine what is best because you are instructed in the law, 19 and if you are sure that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth, 21 you, then, that teach others, will you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You that forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You that abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You that boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

25 Circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law; but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 So, if those who are uncircumcised keep the requirements of the law, will not their uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then those who are physically uncircumcised but keep the law will condemn you that have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is true circumcision something external and physical. 29 Rather, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart—it is spiritual and not literal. Such a person receives praise not from others but from God.

NIV - Chapter 2

1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”  7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.

12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) 16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; 18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19 if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. 26 So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? 27 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.

28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.

KJV - Chapter 2

1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the uGentile; 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11 For there is no respect of persons with God. 12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; 13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, 18 And knowest his will, and kapprovest 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 another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? 22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? 23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? 24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. 25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. 26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? 27 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? 28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Cranfield (ICC) - Chapter 2

1 Wherefore thou hast no excuse, man, whoever thou art who judgest another; for wherein thou judgest the other thou condemnest thyself; for thou doest the same things, thou that settest thyself up as a judge. 2 But we know that God’s judgment is justly pronounced against those who practise such things. 3 And dost thou reckon, thou man that judgest those that practise such things and yet doest them thyself, that thou shalt escape God’s judgment? 4 or despisest thou the wealth of his kindness and forbearance and patience, refusing to see that God’s kindness is meant to lead thee to repentance? 5 But thou art storing up for thyself on account of thine obstinacy and unrepentant heart wrath in the day of wrath and of the revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who will recompense every man according to his works, 7 to those who by steadfast perseverance in the good work seek glory and honour and immortality eternal life, 8 but to those who are self-seeking and disobey the truth but obey unrighteousness there will be wrath and fury. 9 There will be tribulation and distress as the lot of every individual man who works what is evil, both of the Jew first and also of the Greek, 10 but glory and honour and peace for every one who works what is good, both for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God.

12 For, while all those who have sinned in ignorance of the law will also perish even though they did not have the law, all those who have sinned knowing the law will be judged on the basis of the law; 13 for it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous with God, but the doers of the law will be pronounced righteous. 14 For when Gentiles which do not possess the law by nature actually do the things which the law requires, they themselves, though not possessing the law, are a law for themselves. 15 They actually give proof of the fact that the work which the law requires is written on their hearts, and their own conscience will testify to them and their thoughts among themselves will accuse or even excuse them 16 on the day on which God judges the secrets of men through Christ Jesus according to the gospel which I preach.

17 But, if thou hast the name of ‘Jew’ and reliest on the law and gloriest in God 18 and knowest his will and canst discern the things which are essential, being instructed out of the law, 19 and art confident that thou art a guide of the blind, a light of those in darkness, 20 an educator of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and of truth,—21 thou then, who teachest another, dost thou not teach thyself? thou, who preachest that one should not steal, dost thou steal? 22 thou, who sayest that one should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou, who abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? 23 While thou gloriest in the law, thou dishonourest God by transgressing the law. 24 For God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles on your account, even as Scripture says.

25 For circumcision is indeed profitable, provided thou dost practise the law; but if thou art a transgressor of the law, thy circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 If then an uncircumcised man observes the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be reckoned as circumcision? 27 And the man who is by virtue of his birth an uncircumcised Gentile but who fulfils the law will judge thee, who for all thy possession of Scripture and circumcision art a transgressor of the law. 28 For it is not the outward Jew who is a Jew in the fullest sense, nor is it the outward circumcision in the flesh which is circumcision in the fullest sense; 29 but it is the inward Jew who is a Jew in the fullest sense, and it is the circumcision of the heart (wrought by the Spirit and not merely a matter of fulfilment of the letter of the law) which is circumcision in the fullest sense. This man’s praise is not from men but from God.

Dunn (Word) - Chapter 2

1 For this reason you are without excuse, you sir, each one of you who passes judgment. For in that you pass judgment on the other you condemn yourself; for you practice the very things on which you pass judgment. 2 And we know that the condemnation of God is in accordance with truth against those who practice such things. 3 Do you suppose then, you sir, you who pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same, that you will escape the condemnation of God? 4 Or do you think lightly of the wealth of his goodness and of his forbearance and patience, disregarding the fact that the kindness of God is to lead you to repentance? 5 As a result of your hardness and impenitent heart you are storing up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath when will be revealed the righteous judgment of God, 6 “who will render to each in accordance with his works.” 7 To those who seek for glory and honor and immortality by perseverance in doing good, eternal life. 8 But to those who out of selfish ambition also disobey the truth, being persuaded to unrighteousness, wrath and anger. 9 Affliction and distress on every living person who brings about what is evil, Jew first and Gentile as well. 10 But glory and honor and peace to everyone who brings about what is good, Jew first and Gentile as well. 11 For there is no partiality with God.

12 For as many as have sinned without the law shall also perish without the law; and as many as have sinned within the law shall be condemned through the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be counted righteous. 14 For when Gentiles who have not the law do by nature what the law requires, they not having the law are the law for themselves: 15 they demonstrate the business of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, while their thoughts bring accusation or even make defense among themselves, 16 in the day when God is to judge the secrets of mankind in accordance with my gospel through Christ Jesus.

17 But if you are called a “Jew” and rely on the law and boast in God, 18 and know his will and approve the things that matter, being instructed from the law, 19 and are confident that you are a guide of the blind, a light for those in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of the young, having the embodiment of knowledge and of truth in the law … 21 You then who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach “Do not steal,” do you steal? 22 You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you commit sacrilege? 23 You who boast in the law—through transgression of the law you dishonor God. 24 For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you,” as it is written.

25 For circumcision is of benefit if you practice the law. But if you are a transgressor of the law your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 If then the uncircumcised keeps the requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be reckoned as circumcision? 27 And the naturally uncircumcised who fulfills the law will pass judgment on you who through letter and circumcision are a transgressor of the law. 28 For the true Jew is not the one visibly marked as such, nor circumcision that which is performed visibly in the flesh, 29 but one who is so in a hidden way, and circumcision is of the heart, in Spirit not in letter. His praise comes not from men but from God.

Fitzmyer (Yale) - Chapter 2

1 So you are without excuse, whoever you are who sit in judgment. In judging another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things. 2 Yet we know that God’s judgment falls in truth on all who do such things. 3 Do you really think that you will escape the judgment of God, you who sit in judgment on those who do such things and yet do them yourself? 4 Or do you make light of the abundance of his goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering? Do you not realize that what is good about God is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 With your stubborn and impenitent heart you are amassing wrath for yourself on the day of wrath, when God’s just judgment will be revealed. 6 For he will repay everyone according to his deeds: 7 eternal life for those who by patiently doing good strive for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but wrath and fury for those who selfishly disobey the truth and are won over to wickedness. 9 There will be distress and anguish for every human being who does evil, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 10 But there will be glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality in God.

12 All who have sinned apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who listen to the law who are upright before God; rather, those who observe the law will be justified before him. 14 Thus whenever Gentiles who do not have the law observe by nature precepts of the law, they are actually a law to themselves, though not having the law. 15 They show that what the law prescribes has been written on their hearts, as their consciences also bear witness and their thoughts either accuse or defend them—16 on the day when, according to my gospel, God judges through Christ Jesus the secrets of human hearts.

17 But suppose you call yourself a Jew, rely on the law, and boast of God, 18 knowing his will and scrutinizing the things that really matter, because you are instructed by the law, 19 and suppose you are persuaded that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those in darkness, 20 a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—21 then do you who would teach others fail to teach yourself? Do you who preach against stealing steal yourself? 22 Do you who forbid adultery commit it yourself? Do you who abominate idols rob temples? 23 As for you who boast of the law, you dishonor God by the transgression of the law. 24 As it stands written, because of you the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles.

25 Circumcision, indeed, has value, if you observe the law. But if you are a transgressor of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 Again, if an uncircumcised man keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be reckoned as circumcision? 27 He who by nature is uncircumcised yet keeps the law will condemn you, with your written code and circumcision, as a transgressor of the law. 28 One is not a Jew outwardly only; nor is real circumcision external, in the flesh. 29 Rather, one is a Jew in secret, and real circumcision is of the heart, a thing of the spirit, not of the letter. His praise comes not from human beings, but from God.

Jewett (Hermeneia) - Chapter 2

1 Therefore you are without excuse, O man/woman, whoever you are who passes judgment. For by that which you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, for you, the one who passes judgment, practice the same things. 2 But we know that the judgment of God stands in truth against those who practice such things. 3 But do you count on this, O man/woman, who pass judgment on those who do such things and do them [yourself], that you could escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you scornfully presume upon the riches of his kindness and his forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God is to lead you to repentance? 5 But by your hardened and impenitent heart, you are storing up for yourself wrath on the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.

6 God “will recompense to each according to his [or her] works”: 7 on the one hand to those who by perseverance in good work are seeking glory and honor and incorruptibility, [he will recompense] eternal life; 8 on the other hand to those who out of partisanship not only disobey the truth, but also obey wrongdoing, [there will be] wrath and fury, 9 affliction and distress upon every single person who brings about evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does the good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality before God.

12 For as many as have sinned outside the law will also perish outside the law. And as many as have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who shall be set right. 14 For when Gentiles that do not have a law by nature do the deeds of the law, they—though not possessing a law—are a law unto themselves. 15 Such people demonstrate that the work of the law is written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness, and the thoughts between them condemning or even defending, 16 on a day when God judges the secrets of people through Christ Jesus, according to my gospel.

17 But if you call yourself a Jew and find your comfort in [the] law and boast in God, 18 and know God’s will and approve the things that are important, being educated in the law; 19 and have convinced yourself that you are a guide of the blind, a light of those in darkness, 20 a tutor of fools, a teacher of the simple, possessing the embodiment of knowledge and of truth in the law; 21 the one therefore who teaches the other, do you not teach yourself? the one who preaches not to steal, do you steal? 22 the one who says not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? the one who abhors idols, do you rob temples? 23 you who boast in [the] law, do you dishonor God through transgressing the law? 24 “For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles on account of you,” as it has been written.

25 For on the one hand circumcision is advantageous if you do the law. But on the other hand if you are a transgressor of law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 If therefore “the uncircumcision” observes the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be reckoned as a circumcision? 27 And will [not] “the physical uncircumcision” who satisfies the law judge you, law’s transgressor, notwithstanding [your possession of] letter and circumcision? 28 For not the public [Jew] is a Jew, nor is public [circumcision], by flesh, circumcision; 29 rather, the hidden Jew [is a Jew], and circumcision of the heart, in spirit rather than letter, [is circumcision]; [he is a Jew] whose praise is not from people but from God.