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Robertson's Word Pictures of the NT

Romans 2:29

Who is one inwardly

(ο εν τω κρυπτω). Repeat Ιουδαιος (Jew) here also, "the in the inward part Jew" (circumcision of the heart περιτομη καρδιας and not a mere surgical operation as in Colossians 2:11, in the spirit εν πνευματ, with which compare 2 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 3:6). This inward or inside Jew who lives up to his covenant relation with God is the high standard that Paul puts before the merely professional Jew described above.Whose praise

(ου ο επαινος). The antecedent of the relative ου is Ιουδαιος (Jew). Probably (Gifford) a reference to the etymology of Judah (praise) as seen in Galatians 49:8.

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See also Romans 2:29 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse Romans 2:29. _BUT HE IS A JEW_] A true member of the Church of God. _WHICH IS ONE INWARDLY_] Who has his heart purified, according to what God has uniformly prescribed by his prophets; see abo...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    BUT HE IS A JEW - He comes up to the design of the Jewish institution; he manifests truly what it is to be a Jew. WHICH IS ONE INWARDLY - Who is “in heart” a Jew. Who has the true spirit, and fulfils...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    CHAPTER 2 _ 1. The Gentile Moralist and Reformer and His Condemnation. (Romans 2:1 .)_ 2. The Two Classes. (Romans 2:7 .) 3. The State of the Jew. (Romans 2:17 .)...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    Now Paul accosts the Jew, reproving his PRIDE OF LAW, MADE VOID BY DISLOYALTY. Romans 2:17. His pretensions (But if thou bearest the name of Jew, etc.), provoke the questions of Romans 2:21 : the comm...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PRIVILEGE (Romans 2:1-11)...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    If you are called by the name of Jew, if you take your rest in the Law, if you boast in God and know his will, if you give your approval to the excellent things, if you are instructed in the Law, if y...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    INWARDLY. in (Greek. _en)_ secret. THE. Omit. SPIRIT. App-101. OF. Greek. _ek_. App-104....

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _inwardly_ Lit. IN THAT WHICH IS HIDDEN, IN SECRET; same word as Matthew 6:4, &c. Just above, "outwardly" is lit. IN THAT WHICH IS OPEN. The contrast is between an external seal on the body and an int...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ἘΝ ΤΩ͂Ι ΚΡΥΠΤΩ͂Ι. Cf. Romans 2:16; 1 Peter 3:4. ΠΕΡΙΤΟΜῊ ΚΑΡΔΊΑΣ. Here the symbol becomes the reality; cf. Deuteronomy 10:16; Jeremiah 4:4

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    The nexus is marked by the particles—οὖν (21) sums up the privileges and introduces, in the form of questions, the contrast in the actual facts; γὰρ (24) implies the answer yes to the preceding questi...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    17–3:20. The Gospel is needed by Jews, who have also failed through ignoring the one condition of righteousness....

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΟΎ _gen. sing. от_ ΟΣ (G3739) rel. _pron._; антецедент — 'ΙΟΥΔΑΊΟΣ, ΈΠΑΙΝΟΣ (G1868) хвала, ΈΞ (G1537) от. Предл. с _gen._ описывает источник....

  • Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae

    DISCOURSE: 1827 THE NATURE AND EXCELLENCE OF TRUE RELIGION Romans 2:28. _He is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: but he is a Jew, which i...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    WHOSE PRAISE IS NOT OF MEN— Perhaps here is a reference to the etymology of the word_Jew,_ it being derived from thename of _Judah,_ which signifies _praise._ See Genesis 29:35; Genesis 49:8. We have...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    _TEXT_ Romans 2:25-29. 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. Romans 2:26If therefore the...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    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. BUT HE IS A JEW WHICH IS ONE INWARDLY: AND...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    _THE CONDUCT OF MANKIND_ 16 Much of the judgment which obtains among men is unjust and oppressive because of their inability to uncover the real truth: But in the divine judgment the _ hidden _ thing...

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    2:29 inwardly; (l-9) 'In what is hidden or secret.'...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    THE FAILURE OF THE JEWS In Romans 1 St. Paul showed that the Gentiles were under God's judgment on account of sin. Now he is about to turn to the Jews. He asserts first, that God's judgment will fall...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    HEART] cp. Deuteronomy 10:16; Acts 7:51. LETTER] i.e. outward conformity to the literal command, contrasted with the spiritual change which it represented. PRAISE] The word 'Jew' is derived from 'Juda...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    PAUL’S LETTER TO THE *ROMANS ROMANS _HILDA BRIGHT AND KEITH SIMONS_ CHAPTER 2 PAUL’S ANSWERS TO THOSE WHO *JUDGE OTHER PEOPLE 2:1-16 1. THEY CANNOT AVOID GOD’S JUDGEMENT 2:1-4 v1 So, you who *...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    (25-29) This section forms a connecting-link with the opening of the next chapter. “The characteristic mark and badge of the Jew has two sides, the one outward and formal, the other inward and real. I...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    HE REQUIRES HEART-OBEDIENCE Romans 2:21 The Jew relied upon the position given him by the privileges and rites of Judaism, although his religious life, as such, had shrunk within these outward things...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    It is evident that the apostle here turned to the Jew, though he did not immediately name him. He charged the Jew with the sin of practicing the very evils he condemned in the Gentiles. He is at least...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    But he [is] a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision [is that] of the heart, in the (x) spirit, [and] not in the letter; whose praise [is] not of men, but of God. (x) Whose power is inward, and...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    The _second part_ of the chapter, Romans 2:17-29, contains _the application_ of the principles laid down in the first. After expressing himself in a general and more or less abstract way, Paul address...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    FIFTH PASSAGE (2:1-29). THE WRATH OF GOD SUSPENDED OVER THE JEWISH PEOPLE. In the midst of this flood of pollutions and iniquities which Gentile society presents to view, the apostle sees one who lik...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    “ _For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly, neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, an...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    REFLECTIONS Reader! let us, in the view of Israel, and the privileges of Israel, and the sad abuse of them by Israel; feel suitably affected with the sense of our mercies. Is it possible to behold th...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, (18) And knowest will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; (19) And a...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    The circumstances under which the epistle to the Romans was written gave occasion to the most thorough and comprehensive unfolding, not of the church, but of Christianity. No apostle had ever yet visi...

  • James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

    _COVENANT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD_ ‘For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    29.What he then adds, _in the spirit, not in the letter, _understand thus: He calls the outward rite, without piety, the _letter, _and the spiritual design of this rite, the _spirit; _for the whole im...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    Two things are presented here with respect to God; His judgment against evil the evil-doer shall not escape (the real difference of right and wrong would be maintained by judgment); and His mercy, pat...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    BUT HE IS A JEW WHICH IS ONE INWARDLY,.... Who has an internal work of grace upon his soul: who has not only an outward name, but an inward nature; not the law of God in the hand, but in the heart; no...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    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. Ver. 29. _Which is one inwardly_]...

  • Jonathan Edwards' Notes On The Scriptures

    Rom. 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_." That by this last expression,...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _For he is not a Jew_ In the most important sense, that is, one of God's beloved people; or a true child of Abraham, to whom the promise belongs, and one that God will own for a true member of his chu...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    INWARDLY; in heart devoted to God, as was Abraham. Compare our Saviour's words: "If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham." John 8:39. OF THE HEART, IN THE SPIRIT; circumcision...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    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. To the arraignment of Paul the Jews might ha...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    False and true circumcision:...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    THE CASE OF THE CULTURED GREEK But there is a class of Gentiles who are quite keen in seeing these evils in others, and unhesitatingly judging them for them, while never considering that the same judg...

  • Manly Luscombe Commentary on New Testament

    Romans 2:17-29 1. What is the difference between an inward Jew and an outward Jew? a. What was an outward Jew? i. Circumcised ii. Good self-image 1. Name Jew means a lot to him 2. Rested in the...

  • Mark Dunagan Commentaries

    BUT HE IS. JEW WHO IS ONE INWARDLY; AND CIRCUMCISION IS THAT OF THE HEART, IN THE SPIRIT NOT IN THE LETTER; WHOSE PRAISE IS NOT OF MEN, BUT OF GOD. Paul is affirming that there was also more to being....

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    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, t...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    He is a right and true Jew, an Israelite indeed, that hath taken away the foreskin of his heart, JEREMIAH 4:4; that is cleansed from all corrupt affections, and hath laid aside all superfluity of naug...

  • McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries

    but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. [He is not a Jew in God's sight (though he is, of c...

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book VII For he possesses in its sincerity the faith which is exercised in reference to the affairs of life, and praises the Gospel in practice and contemplation. And,...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Romans 2:29 but G235 Jew G2453 inwardly G1722 G2927 and G2532 circumcision G4061 heart G2588 in G1722 Spirit...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh, but he is a Jew who is one inwardly (hiddenly), and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    WILL NOT CIRCUMCISION ENSURE THAT THE JEW IS TREATED DIFFERENTLY BY GOD? (2:25-29). The Jew then goes on to his second argument. If the possession of the Law and the benefits described above will not...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    THE SPECIAL CASE OF THE JEW. PAUL IS ANSWERING THE QUESTION - ‘DOES NOT HIS KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAW AND THE UNDERSTANDING THAT GOES WITH IT, ALONG WITH THE FACT THAT HE IS CIRCUMCISED INTO GOD'S COVENANT...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Romans 2:29. WHO IS ONE INWARDLY; in his secret inner life. AND CIRCUMCISION IS THAT OF THE HEART, etc. The E. V. preserves the parallelism, which is not so marked, however, in the original. The diff...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    _2. The Jew is Condemned; His External Circumcision does not Avail._ This section contains the direct application to the case of the Jew, in the form of an indignant outburst (Romans 2:17-24), much of...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    2. THE SINFULNESS OF THE JEWS, AS A PROOF OF THEIR NEED OF THE GOSPEL. This passage contains the second part of the proof of the universality of sin, and hence of the universal need of the gospel, whe...

  • Scofield's Bible Commentary

    IN THE SPIRIT (_ See Scofield) - (Romans 7:6). _...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Romans 2 The Practical Outcome of Judaism. I. The first thing on which St. Paul lays anxious stress in this passage is this: The judgment of God according to men's works is just, inevitable, and impa...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Romans 2:25. _For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision._ Paul is dealing with the Jew, who was apt to thin...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: The equal standing of Jew and Gentile before the justice of God. Morality apart from Christ useless as means of salvation. Jews knowing the law condemned by the law. CHARACTERS: God. CONCLU...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Romans 2:1. _Therefore thou art inexcusable, oh man,_ whether Roman or Jew, who judgest another, and doest the same thing thyself, though it may be in some other way. But as the judgment of God is acc...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    WHO IS A JEW ON THE INSIDE. Circumcision of the heart means inward purity. Compare Colossians 2:11-12. THE WORK OF GOD'S SPIRIT. This contrasted with the _letter_ of the Law. Compare Philippians 3:3;...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Behold, thou art called a Jew._ THE JEWS ALSO WITHOUT EXCUSE Hitherto the apostle, in seeking to shut up the Jew unto the faith of Christ, has contented himself with an enunciation of the equitable...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _For circumcision verily profiteth if thou keep the law._ CIRCUMCISION IN RELATION TO BAPTISM I. Its institution (Genesis 17:9). It is called “the covenant,” and “the token of the covenant,” which Go...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 2:28 In striking contrast to Jewish beliefs of his day, Paul claims that true Jewishness and genuine circumcision are not ethnic or physical matters. Rather, they are matters OF...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 2:1 Most interpreters say that Paul focuses on the sin of the Jews throughout this chapter. Another view is that the sin of the moral person (whether Jewish or Gentile) who judge...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 2:27.—φύσεως plainly means here what we call a state of nature, in distinction from a state in which a revelation is enjoyed. Romans 2:29.—Olshausen says that Ruchert is right...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION ROMANS 2:1 (_b_) _Those who judge others, not excepting the Jews. _Here a new stage of the argument, in proof of the position propounded in Romans 1:18, begins, and is continued to the end...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judges (Romans 2:1): You see, I read this list and I say, "Oh, yes, it is horrible. My, I just don't know what we are going to do, the w...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Chronicles 29:17; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Peter 3:4; 1 Samuel 16:7;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    Praise. Possibly in allusion to the etymological meaning of Jew, the praised one. Compare Genesis 49:8. The word here means the holy satisfaction of God as opposed to Jewish vain - glory....

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    But he is a Jew — That is, one of God's people. Who is one inwardly — In the secret recesses of his soul. And the acceptable circumcision is that of the heart — Referring to Deuteronomy 30:6; the putt...

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Old Testament