Romans 2:27

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

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

And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?

28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
The one who is physically uncircumcised yet keeps the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.
KJV
And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
WEB
Won’t those who are physically uncircumcised, but fulfill the law, judge you, who with the letter and circumcision are a transgressor of the law?
ASV
and shall not the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who with the letter and circumcision art a transgressor of the law?
DARBY
and uncircumcision by nature, fulfilling the law, judge thee, who, with letter and circumcision, [art] a law-transgressor?
BLB
And the uncircumcision by nature, fulfilling the law, will judge you who through the letter and circumcision [are] a transgressor of the law.
ÅB
Og den fysisk uomskårne som oppfyller loven skal dømme deg, du som med lovens bokstav og omskjærelse er en lovbryter.
OTB
Den som ikke er fysisk omskåret og likevel adlyder Loven vil dømme deg som, til tross for å ha den skrevne koden og omskjærelsen, er en lovbryter.
B1930
Og den av naturen uomskårne som opfyller loven, skal dømme dig, du som med bokstav og omskjærelse er en lov-bryter.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Matthew 12:41–42

    The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

    Read in context
  • Romans 7:6–8

    But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

    Read in context
  • Romans 8:4

    That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

    Read in context
  • 2 Corinthians 3:6

    Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

    Read in context
  • Romans 2:29

    But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

    Read in context
  • Hebrews 11:3

    Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 3:15

    And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 5:17–20

    Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

    Read in context