No salvation in anything outward which man could boast in, but only in God who causes the inward change of heart.
Published January 19th, 2017; Updated January 19th, 2017
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Main point summary
Keeping the requirements of the law is what counts over the external sign of circumcision. A true Jew is one inwardly, whose circumcision is of the heart.
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Romans 2:25-29
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* For circumcision is indeed profitable
if you keep the law;
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but if you are a breaker of the law,
your circumcision has become uncircumcision.
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Therefore, * if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law,
will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision?
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?
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For * he is not a Jew who is one outwardly,
nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh;
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but he is a Jew * who is one inwardly;
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and * circumcision is that of the heart,
* in the Spirit,
not in the letter;
* whose praise is not from men
but from God.
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Notes
The Jews thought themselves superior because they were the chosen nation of God. They were boasting with the sign of circumcision. Circumcision was to be a sign to keep the covenant with God. A breaking of that covenant meant to be cut off from a close and intimate relationship with God. Cut off from God, from others, and from live eternally. How can anyone be close to God? Jesus Christ was cut off for sinners on the cross of Calvary. He was cut off from God the Father, from others, and from live, but conquered sin, death, and Satan by His resurrection, so that the covenant breaker can be forgiven and be close to God on the bases of what Christ has done. This is the circumcision of the heart in the Spirit. No one can boast of anything but of what God has done. To be baptized as one who is separated form Christ is worse than not to be baptized and be in union with Christ. To uncover/cover the head as one who is rebelling against the authority of God in creation order is worse than to obey and not to cover/uncover the head. To remember the Lord's death in taking bread and wine as one who is not in fellowship with God is worse than to be in fellowship and not take part in remembering.