Romans 2:26

Romans 2:26 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
• New International Version (NIV)So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?
• English Standard Version (ESV)So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?
• New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision?

Context of Romans 2:26

24For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written. 25For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law? 28For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.

Romans 2:26 word by word

ἐὰν οὖν ἡ ἀκροβυστία τὰ δικαιώματα τοῦ νόμου φυλάσσῃ, οὐχ ἡ ἀκροβυστία αὐτοῦ εἰς περιτομὴν λογισθήσεται;Read the interlinear

• Soοὖνoun · therefore/thenG3767
• ifἐάνean · ifG1437
• uncircumcisedἀκροβυστίαakrobustia · uncircumcisionG203
• keepsφυλάσσωphulassō · to keep/guard: observeG5442
• the requirementsδικαίωμαdikaiōma · righteous actG1345
• of the Lawνόμοςnomos · lawG3551
• be regardedλογίζομαιlogizomai · to countG3049
• as circumcisionπεριτομήperitomē · circumcisionG4061

Cross-references for Romans 2:26

• Isaiah 56:6“Also the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, To minister to Him, and to love the name of the Lord, To be His servants, every one who keeps from profaning the sabbath And holds fast My covenant;
• Matthew 8:11I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven;
• Matthew 15:28Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once.
• Acts 10:2a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually.
• Acts 11:3saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
• 1 Corinthians 7:18Was any man called when he was already circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? He is not to be circumcised.
• Philippians 3:3for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,
• Colossians 2:11and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;

Commentaries on Romans 2:26

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 26Therefore 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.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 26Therefore, if the uncircumcision - If those who are not circumcised, that is, the pagan. Keep the righteousness of the law - Keep what the Law of Moses commands. It could not be supposed that a pagan would understand the requirements of the ceremonial law; but reference is had here to the moral law. The apostle does not expressly affirm that this was ever done; but he supposes the case, to show the true nature and value of the rites of the Jews. Shall not…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 25-29Verses 25-29 No forms, ordinances, or notions can profit, without regenerating grace, which will always lead to seeking an interest in the righteousness of God by faith. For he is no more a Christian now, than he was really a Jew of old, who is only one outwardly: neither is that baptism, which is outward in the flesh: but he is the real Christian, who is inwardly a true believer, with an obedient faith. And the true baptism is that of the heart, by the…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 26will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?: Paul might be referring to Gentile Christians who are God's people because they follow God's law. Alternatively, he could be speaking in an imaginary way about what would happen if a non-Jew perfectly obeyed God's law.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 25-2925-29. 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."Read the comment

Topics related to Romans 2:26

• Circumcision
• Formalism
• Hypocrisy
• Salvation

In the dictionaries

• Accuse
• Boast
• Continuance
• Doer
• Excuse
• Fall of man
• Forbearance
• Sure
• Treasure
• Bible, the

Commentaries on Romans 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings