Romans 2:26

If a man who is not circumcised keeps the requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?

BSB

Parallel translations

4 additional translations

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KJV

Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?

ASV

If therefore the uncircumcision keep the ordinances of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be reckoned for circumcision?

YLT

If, therefore the uncircumcision the righteousness of the law may keep, shall not his uncircumcision for circumcision be reckoned?

DBT

If therefore the uncircumcision keep the requirements of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be reckoned for circumcision,

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Commentary voices

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Voices7

On this verse

"But if the uncircumcision keeps the righteous requirements of the law, shall not that which is by nature uncircumcision, fulfilling the law, judge you, who by the letter and circumcision are a transgressor of the law?" We said above that the Apostle is discussing two Jews and two circumcisions, and that he mentions now the carnal, now the spiritual.

Origen of Alexandria· COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS, 253patristic

Related commentary

Therefore if the uncircumcision keep,....

John Gill· Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748)reformed

Therefore if the uncircumcision, etc. - If the Gentile be found to act according to the spirit and design of the law, his acting thus uprightly, according to the light which God has afforded him, will be reckoned to him as if he were circumcised and walked agreeably to the law.

Adam Clarke· Commentary on the Bible, 1832evangelical

For circumcision--that is, One's being within the covenant of which circumcision was the outward sign and seal. verily profiteth, if thou keep the law--if the inward reality correspond to the outward sign. but if, &c.--that is, "Otherwise, thou art no better than the uncircumcised heathen."

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown· Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, 1871reformed

But the case here put is, we think, such as that of Cornelius (Ac 10:1-48), who, though outside the external pale of God's covenant, yet having come to the knowledge of the truths contained in it, do manifest the grace of the covenant without the seal of it, and exemplify the character and walk of Abraham's children, though not called by the name of Abraham.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown· Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, 1871reformed

If the uncircumcision - That is, a person uncircumcised. Keep the law - Walk agreeably to it. Shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision - In the sight of God?

John Wesley· Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament, 1755evangelical

God did not give the law nor appoint circumcision in vain. This must be referred to the state of the Jews before the ceremonial polity was abolished, otherwise circumcision to one that professed faith in Christ was forbidden, Gal. v. 1 .

Matthew Henry· Commentary on the Whole Bible, 1710puritan

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Cross-references

15 linked verses

The verses this one reaches12

Colossians 2:11
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.
1 Corinthians 7:18–19
Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man still uncircumcised when called? He should not be circumcised.
Romans 8:4
so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Romans 2:1
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another. For on whatever grounds you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
Matthew 8:11–12
I say to you that many will come from the east and the west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 15:28
“O woman,” Jesus answered, “your faith is great! Let it be done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
Acts 10:34–35
Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism,
Acts 11:3–18
and said, “You visited uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
Philippians 3:3
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—
Ephesians 2:11
Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh and called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision (that done in the body by human hands)—
Romans 3:30
since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.
Acts 10:2–4
He and all his household were devout and God-fearing. He gave generously to the people and prayed to God regularly.

3 more linked verses are grouped by book below ↓

Cross-references

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The quotation web

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Around this verse

Word doors

Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread — the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.

Featured studies

Featured studyJustification by Faith — the Verdict of the CrossThis study walks through this verse.

About this book

The Crucifixion — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)

Romans — Paul's gospel set out in order. Four great movements: sin, salvation, sanctification, sovereignty — closing with sustained calls to service and unity.

Canon: New Testament
Author: Paul the apostle, dictated to Tertius (Rom 16:22)
Date: c. AD 57, from Corinth before the Jerusalem offering

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first — the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
Colossians 2:11
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.
leads to
- Romans 2:29
  No, 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…
- Philippians 3:3
  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—
- Romans 6:6
  We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.
- Deuteronomy 30:6
  The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, and you will love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.
Through
Romans 8:4
so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
leads to
- Galatians 5:22–25
  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
- Galatians 5:16
  So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Through
Matthew 15:28
“O woman,” Jesus answered, “your faith is great! Let it be done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
leads to
- Mark 9:23–24
  “If You can?” echoed Jesus. “All things are possible to him who believes!”
- Matthew 8:13
  Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! As you have believed, so will it be done for you.” And his servant was healed at that very hour.

The whole web at once: see the Arc.

Where the connections lead

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Continue: Romans 2 →