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.
Original Language Analysis
περιτομή
circumcision
G4061
περιτομή
circumcision
Strong's:
G4061
Word #:
1 of 17
circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people, literally or figuratively)
μὲν
verily
G3303
μὲν
verily
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
3 of 17
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ἐὰν
if
G1437
ἐὰν
if
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
5 of 17
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
νόμου
of the law
G3551
νόμου
of the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
6 of 17
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
πράσσῃς·
thou keep
G4238
πράσσῃς·
thou keep
Strong's:
G4238
Word #:
7 of 17
to "practise", i.e., perform repeatedly or habitually (thus differing from g4160, which properly refers to a single act); by implication, to execute,
ἐὰν
if
G1437
ἐὰν
if
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
8 of 17
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
νόμου
of the law
G3551
νόμου
of the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
11 of 17
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
περιτομή
circumcision
G4061
περιτομή
circumcision
Strong's:
G4061
Word #:
14 of 17
circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people, literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Jeremiah 4:4Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.Acts 7:51Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.Deuteronomy 30:6And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.Galatians 6:15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
Historical Context
Circumcision defined Jewish identity—the covenant sign separating Abraham's seed from Gentiles. It was performed on eighth-day infants (Leviticus 12:3), creating permanent physical distinction. By Paul's era, some Jews viewed circumcision almost magically, as guaranteeing salvation regardless of behavior. The Maccabean crisis (167-160 BC) intensified this when some Jews underwent surgery to reverse circumcision to assimilate into Greek culture—seen as ultimate apostasy. Paul's claim that lawbreaking 'uncircumcises' was shocking reversal.
Questions for Reflection
- What Christian 'rituals' or 'signs' do I trust in—baptism, communion, church membership—treating them as automatic guarantees rather than calls to transformation?
- How does this verse challenge the notion that any external religious act secures salvation apart from heart change?
- If disobedience can 'cancel' the covenant sign, what does this teach about the nature of true covenant relationship with God?
Analysis & Commentary
For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law—περιτομὴ μὲν γὰρ ὠφελεῖ ἐὰν νόμον πράσσῃς (peritomē men gar ōphelei ean nomon prassēs). Περιτομή (peritomē, "circumcision") was the covenant sign given to Abraham (Genesis 17:9-14), identifying Jews as God's people. Ὠφελέω (ōpheleō, "profit/benefit") acknowledges legitimate value—circumcision does benefit when accompanied by Torah obedience. But the conditional ἐάν (ean, "if") introduces the devastating qualification.
But if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision—ἐὰν δὲ παραβάτης νόμου ᾖς, ἡ περιτομή σου ἀκροβυστία γέγονεν (ean de parabatēs nomou ēs, hē peritomē sou akrobystia gegonen). Παραβάτης (parabatēs, "transgressor") describes one who crosses God's boundaries. The shocking claim: disobedience cancels circumcision, making the circumcised man functionally ἀκροβυστία (akrobystia, "uncircumcised/foreskin")—a Gentile outsider.
This would outrage Jewish hearers: circumcision was irrevocable physical mark guaranteeing covenant inclusion. Paul here argues the unthinkable—ritual without righteousness is worthless, even negative. He anticipates verses 28-29: true Jewishness is inward (heart circumcision) not outward (physical mark). This parallels Jeremiah 4:4 and 9:25-26, which condemned uncircumcised hearts. Mere ethnicity or ritual observance cannot save; only transformed hearts matter (Galatians 5:6, 6:15).