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Romans 2:24 For "THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES
BECAUSE OF YOU," just as it is written.
2D. THE FALSE SECURITY OF CIRCUMCISION
1E. BLESSING TURN SOUR
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24-29
24
Paul is repeating the OT concern of the prophets.
The Jews had the Law and they were proud of their covenant with God, but their
disobedience caused the nations around them to blasphemy God.
Isaiah 52:5
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It would be better for some people who claim to be Christians to hide their profession
of faith because their lives are a contradiction to what they say they cause people to
blasphemy God.
Ezekiel 36:16-20
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The Jews prided themselves because they were a light to the world, but they
became the blind leading the blind.
Matthew 5:14
Romans 2:25 For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if
you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become
uncircumcision.
2E. LIMITED VALUE
25
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Circumcision was instituted by God.
Circumcision was practiced by other nations prior to Abraham and contemporary
with him.
The act of circumcision was practiced in Egyptian society by the elite.
It was most significant among the priestly caste and the operation took place in the
temples as an initiation into purity.
When God called Abraham and marked off an entire people to Himself, He made a
statement as to the religious and social prestige of the nation.
He set apart Israel as His own possession and made a powerful statement about the
royal destiny of His people.
Abraham’s progeny was to be characterized by ‘nations and kings.’
Genesis 17:4-7
Genesis 17:10-14
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Circumcision for the Israelite was an initiation into a lifelong service before God.
Circumcision was a sign and seal that God would carry out His part of the covenant.
2
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The uncircumcised could not participate in the Passover or they will not be able to
enter the Tabernacle or the Temple.
The physical mark of the removal of the foreskin represented the removal of man’s
sinful character and imperfection.
Circumcision was not simply a matter of a physical mark, but of spiritual and ethical
sanctity.
Deuteronomy 10:16
Deuteronomy 30:6
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The religious rite of circumcision accompanied with an uncommitted heart was
worthless.
Jeremiah 9:25-26
Galatians 5:2
Philippians 3:2
For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law
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The Rabbis taught the circumcision will keep one from hell.
MENACHEM: ‘Commentary on the Book of Moses’: ‘no circumcised man will see hell.’
MIDRASH TILLIM: “God swore to Abraham that on one who was circumcised should be
sent to hell.’
In the book AKEDATH JIZEHAK: ‘Abraham sits before the gate of hell, and does not
allow any circumcised to enter there.
For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a
transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.
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In plain words, circumcision could not save because no one had kept the Law.
The physical circumcision had become the spiritual uncircumcision.
Romans 2:26 So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law,
will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?
3E. NO PHYSICAL ADVANTAGE
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26
The previous verse taught that the only advantage to circumcision is the keeping of
the Law and if the Law was not kept, circumcision meant nothing.
Now Paul rewords what he just said.
3
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If the uncircumcised kept the law he would be treated spiritually as though he was
circumcised.
If circumcision cannot protect the guilty then it stands to reason that the absence of
circumcision cannot invalidate the claims of the righteous.
The Apostle does not mean to indicate that Gentiles kept the Law, because Paul will
conclude that all are guilty.
Romans 3:12
Romans 2:27 And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will
he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a
transgressor of the Law?
4E. GREATER JUDGMENT
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27
The very fact that the Jews had received the advantage of being part of God’s
covenanted people only heightened their responsibility and when they did not obey
God they would receive the stricter judgment.
The physically uncircumcised who was obedient to the Law would stand in judgment
over the circumcised.
Jeremiah 9:23-26
Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that
which is outward in the flesh.
3D. THE FICTITIOUS IDEA OF BIRTH
1E. THE PHYSICAL JEW
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28-29
28
The Jews had a distinct advantage over the Gentiles in that they were ancestors of
Abraham, they were circumcised as a sign of the covenant, and they received the
Law of Moses.
Even though these were advantages, no combination of these advantages could
save.
What is a Jew?
The modern Jew would say that he has to prove he is an ancestor of Abraham and
he has to have a Jewish mother, since Ishmael is from Abraham but his mother was
an Egyptian.
Just because one can be physical related to Abraham and have the physical sign of
circumcision does not make them a Jew.
Romans 2:29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which
is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but
from God.
2E. THE TRUE JEW
29
4
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A true Jew is described as one who was circumcised in the heart.
There is nothing externally or outwardly that secures a special relationship with God.
Note Jesus’ conversation with a Jew of the Jews.
John 3:3-5
1 Peter 1:22-23
Ephesians 5:26