“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.”
No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person's praise is not from other people, but from God. True Jewishness consists in inward reality (en tōi kryptōi): circumcision of the heart (peritmē kardias) effected by the Spirit (pneuma) rather than the letter (gramma). The Spirit produces what the law cannot. Praise that matters comes not from human approval but from God's commendation. This anticipates Paul's doctrine of justification by faith alone.
Church Fathers on 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.” By saying this he sets aside all things bodily. For the circumcision is outwardly, and the sabbaths and the sacrifices and purifications: all of which he hints in a single word, when he says, “For he is not a Jew which is one outwardly.” But since much was made of the circumcision, inasmuch as even the sabbath gave way to it John 7:22, he has good reason for…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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