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

24No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.” 25The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God’s law. But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile. And if the Gentiles obey God’s law, won’t God declare them to be his own people? 27In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God’s law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God’s law but don’t obey it. 28For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision.

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• Thereforeοὖνoun · therefore/thenG3767
• ifἐάνean · ifG1437
• the uncircumcisionὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the uncircumcisionἀκροβυστίαakrobustia · uncircumcisionG203
• keepφυλάσσωphulassō · to keep/guard: observeG5442
• the righteousnessδικαίωμαdikaiōma · righteous actG1345
• of the lawνόμοςnomos · lawG3551
• shall notοὐχίouchi · not!G3780
• hisαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• be countedλογίζομαιlogizomai · to countG3049
• forεἰςeis · towardG1519
• circumcisionπεριτομήperitomē · circumcisionG4061

Cross-references for Romans 2:26

• Isaiah 56:6“I will also bless the foreigners who commit themselves to the Lord, who serve him and love his name, who worship him and do not desecrate the Sabbath day of rest, and who hold fast to my covenant.
• Matthew 8:11And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven.
• Matthew 15:28“Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.
• Acts 10:2He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God.
• Acts 11:3“You entered the home of Gentiles and even ate with them!” they said.
• 1 Corinthians 7:18For instance, a man who was circumcised before he became a believer should not try to reverse it. And the man who was uncircumcised when he became a believer should not be circumcised now.
• Philippians 3:3For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort,
• Colossians 2:11When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature.

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