Romans 2:25

περιτομὴ μὲν γὰρ κ.τ.λ. The explanation of the awful contrast between the formal condition of the Jew and his actual condition. περιτομῂ is the symbol of the whole covenant relation of the Jew with GOD. The symbol has no effect unless the condition imposed by the covenant is kept. It did not either excuse from or enable to obedience. Disobedience evacuates the formal position of all meaning. The ‘weakness’ of the covenant as a spiritual force is not however developed till ch. 7.

νόμον πράσσῃς, ‘if you practise law,’ in the tenour of your life: the absence of the article and the v[93] πράσσειν throw stress on the general character of the life, as distinct from particular Acts cf.vv1-3.

[93] vb verb

παραβάτης νόμου. So ‘a law breaker’—in general.