Not a Jew Which is One Outwardly Romans 2:28

Paul the apostle asked the Jews in Rome, “if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law,

shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?”, and he added the question, “And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfill the law, judge you, who by the letter and circumcision do transgress the law?” In chapter two and verse twenty-eight of Romans, Paul shared, “he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly” where we read:

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

The verse begins, “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; ...” Paul began with the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “he is not” which means “the human being whether male or female is not” “a Jew” or “people belonging to the Jewish nation as respects to birth, origin and religion”, “which is one outwardly” or “who is an apparent, manifest, evident and known plainly or recognized person”. Paul declared the person not a “Jew” just because they are “plainly known or recognized”.

The verse goes on to say, “... neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:” Paul continued with the words, “neither” which means “nor and not even” “is that circumcision” or “the Jews' act or rite of the cutting away of the foreskin which represents the extinction of passions and the removal of spiritual impurity” “which is outward” which means “that is apparent, manifest, evident and known plainly or recognized person” “in the flesh” or “within the soft substance of the living body which covers the bones and is permeated with blood”. Paul declared how “circumcision” was not simply an outward expression in the “flesh”.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see how the true “Jew” or follower of God was not made so just because they were “circumcised outwardly”. The rite or ritual of “circumcision” of the flesh didn't purify the person's heart, and just because someone followed this “outward” directive, did not ensure their relationship with God. Jesus Christ came to bring “fellowship” and “communion” with God through His death on the cross, and His subsequent resurrection from the grave insured opportunity for salvation. All “outward” expressions fall short because they are only manifested in “the flesh”, and those who worship God “must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).

Next time Paul tells the Jewish people in Rome, “he is a Jew, which is one inwardly”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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