Romans 2:25

Romans 2:25 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
• New International Version (NIV)Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.

Context of Romans 2:25

23You who take pride in the Torah, through your violation of the Torah, do you dishonor God? 24For as it is written, “the name of God is slandered among the nations because of you.” Circumcision is indeed worthwhile if you keep the Torah; but if you break the Torah, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26Therefore, if the uncircumcised keeps the righteous decrees of the Torah, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? 27Indeed, the one not circumcised physically who fulfills the Torah will judge you who—even with the written code and circumcision—break the Torah.

Romans 2:25 word by word

Περιτομὴ μὲν γὰρ ὠφελεῖ ἐὰν νόμον πράσσῃς· ἐὰν δὲ παραβάτης νόμου ᾖς, ἡ περιτομή σου ἀκροβυστία γέγονεν.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• circumcisionπεριτομήperitomē · circumcisionG4061
• verilyμένmen · on the other handG3303
• profitethὠφελέωōpheleō · to helpG5623
• ifἐάνean · ifG1437
• thou keepπράσσωprassō · to do/requireG4238
• the lawνόμοςnomos · lawG3551
• butδέde · thenG1161
• thou beεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• a breakerπαραβάτηςparabatēs · transgresorG3848
• thyσύsu · youG4771
• circumcisionὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• is madeγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• uncircumcisionἀκροβυστίαakrobustia · uncircumcisionG203

Cross-references for Romans 2:25

• Romans 2:28For one is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision something visible in the flesh.
• Romans 3:1Then what is the advantage of being Jewish? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?
• Romans 4:11And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness of the trust he had while he was uncircumcised, so he might be the father of all who are trusting while uncircumcised—that righteousness might be credited to them as well.
• Deuteronomy 30:6Also Adonai your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants—to love Adonai your God with all your heart and with all your soul, in order that you may live.
• Jeremiah 4:4Circumcise yourselves to Adonai and remove the foreskins of your heart, men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem. Else My wrath will break out like fire and blaze, with no one to quench it, because of your evil deeds!”
• Galatians 5:3Again I testify to every man who lets himself be circumcised, that he is obligated to keep the whole Torah.
• Galatians 6:15For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything—but only a new creation.
• Ephesians 2:11Therefore, keep in mind that once you—Gentiles in the flesh—were called “uncircumcision” by those called “circumcision” (which is performed on flesh by hand).
• Romans 2:23You who take pride in the Torah, through your violation of the Torah, do you dishonor God?
• Jeremiah 9:25Egypt, Judah, Edom and Ammon’s children and Moab, and all that have cut the corners of their hair—that dwell in the wilderness. For all the nations are uncircumcised but all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart.
• Acts 7:51“O you stiff-necked people! You uncircumcised of heart and ears! You always resist the Ruach ha-Kodesh; just as your fathers did, you do as well.

Commentaries on Romans 2:25

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 25For circumcision verily profiteth - It is a blessing to belong to the Church of God and wear the sign of the covenant, provided the terms of the covenant are complied with. But if thou be a breaker of the law - If thou do not observe the conditions of the covenant, the outward sign is both without meaning and without effect. This was a maxim of the rabbins themselves; for they allowed that an apostate or ungodly Israelite must go to hell, notwithstanding…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 25For circumcision - John 7:22 note; Acts 7:8 note. This was the special rite by which the relation to the covenant of Abraham was recognised; or by which the right to all the privileges of a member of the Jewish commonwealth was acknowledged. The Jews of course affixed a high importance to the rite. Verily profiteth - Is truly a benefit; or is an advantage. The meaning is, that their being recognised as members of the Jewish commonwealth, and introduced to…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. 25God established the Jewish ceremony of circumcision as a sign of his covenant (special agreement) with Abraham. God required that every male Israelite child be circumcised (Genesis 17:9–13; see Romans 4:11). Circumcision represents God’s covenant with his people, Israel. The ceremony became more important during the intertestamental period (the time between the Old and New Testaments). During this time, the pagan king Antiochus IV Epiphanes tried to…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 2:25

• Circumcision
• Formalism
• Hypocrisy
• Minister, Christian

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