Romans 2:25

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.

Complete Jewish Bible:

For circumcision is indeed of value if you do what Torah says. But if you are a transgressor of Torah, your circumcision has become uncircumcision!

Berean Standard Bible:

Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.

American Standard Version:

For circumcision indeed profiteth, if thou be a doer of the law: but if thou be a transgressor of the law, thy circumcision is become uncircumcision.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

For^{G1063} circumcision^{G4061} verily^{G3303} profiteth^{G5623}, if^{G1437} thou keep^{G4238} the law^{G3551}: but^{G1161} if^{G1437} thou be^{G5600} a breaker^{G3848} of the law^{G3551}, thy^{G4675} circumcision^{G4061} is made^{G1096} uncircumcision^{G203}.

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Commentary for Romans 2:25

Romans 2:25 is a part of the Apostle Paul's letter to the Roman Christians, written in the mid-first century AD. This verse addresses the theme of Jewish identity and the significance of circumcision, a practice that was a key marker of Jewish identity and covenant with God as commanded in the Old Testament (Genesis 17:10-14). Paul is speaking to Jews who considered themselves righteous based on their adherence to the Law of Moses, which included the rite of circumcision.

In this verse, Paul acknowledges that circumcision has value if one obeys the law; it is a sign of the covenant and a physical marker of belonging to God's people. However, he quickly qualifies this by stating that if a Jew does not keep the law, their circumcision becomes as if it were not done at all—essentially negating the outward sign of the covenant due to a failure to live up to its spiritual and moral requirements.

The broader context of Romans 2 is Paul's discussion on the judgment of God, which is based on actual obedience rather than mere possession of the law or outward signs like circumcision. Paul is emphasizing that what truly matters is not external religious markers but the internal condition of the heart and the faithful living that flows from it. This reflects Jesus' own teachings about the importance of inner purity over external rituals (Matthew 23:25-26).

Historically, this verse reflects the early Christian struggle with Jewish law and identity. As the church grew, it included both Jewish and Gentile (non-Jewish) believers, leading to debates about the role of Jewish law in the new covenant established by Jesus Christ. Paul's argument here is part of a larger theological discourse that would shape early Christian understanding, eventually leading to the recognition that faith in Christ, not adherence to the Mosaic Law, is the basis for righteousness and salvation (Romans 3:21-31).

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1063
   There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γάρ
   Transliteration: gár
   Pronunciation: gar
   Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G4061
   There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: περιτομή
   Transliteration: peritomḗ
   Pronunciation: per-it-om-ay'
   Description: from περιτέμνω; circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people, literally or figuratively):--X circumcised, circumcision.
   
3. Strong's Number: G3303
   There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μέν
   Transliteration: mén
   Pronunciation: men
   Description: a primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with δέ (this one, the former, etc.):--even, indeed, so, some, truly, verily. Often compounded with other particles in an intensive or asseverative sense.
   
4. Strong's Number: G5623
   There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὠφελέω
   Transliteration: ōpheléō
   Pronunciation: o-fel-eh'-o
   Description: from the same as ὠφέλεια; to be useful, i.e. to benefit:--advantage, better, prevail, profit.
   
5. Strong's Number: G1437
   There are 254 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐάν
   Transliteration: eán
   Pronunciation: eh-an'
   Description: from εἰ and ἄν; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty:--before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-)soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, (who-)so(-ever). See μή.
   
6. Strong's Number: G4238
   There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πράσσω
   Transliteration: prássō
   Pronunciation: pras'-so
   Description: a primary verb; to "practise", i.e. perform repeatedly or habitually (thus differing from ποιέω, which properly refers to a single act); by implication, to execute, accomplish, etc.; specially, to collect (dues), fare (personally):--commit, deeds, do, exact, keep, require, use arts.
   
7. Strong's Number: G3551
   There are 158 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: νόμος
   Transliteration: nómos
   Pronunciation: nom'-os
   Description: from a primary (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle):--law.
   
8. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
9. Strong's Number: G5600
   There are 62 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὦ
   Transliteration: ō
   Pronunciation: ay
   Description: the subjunctive of εἰμί; (may, might, can, could, would, should, must, etc.; also with εἰ and its comparative, as well as with other particles) be:--+ appear, are, (may, might, should) be, X have, is, + pass the flower of her age, should stand, were.
   
10. Strong's Number: G3848
    There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: παραβάτης
    Transliteration: parabátēs
    Pronunciation: par-ab-at'-ace
    Description: from παραβαίνω; a violator:--breaker, transgress(-or).
    
11. Strong's Number: G4675
    There are 360 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σοῦ
    Transliteration: soû
    Pronunciation: soo
    Description: genitive case of σύ; of thee, thy:--X home, thee, thine (own), thou, thy.
    
12. Strong's Number: G1096
    There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: γίνομαι
    Transliteration: gínomai
    Pronunciation: ghin'-om-ahee
    Description: a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.):--arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.
    
13. Strong's Number: G203
    There are 1037 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀκροβυστία
    Transliteration: akrobystía
    Pronunciation: ak-rob-oos-tee'-ah
    Description: from ἄκρον and probably a modified form of (the penis or male sexual organ); the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised (i.e. gentile, figuratively, unregenerate) state or person:--not circumcised, uncircumcised (with ἔχω), uncircumcision.