Sermon Tone Analysis
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Summary: In Romans 2:25-29, Paul is teaching us that physical circumcision alone is insignificant, but spiritual circumcision is essential.
What is the significance of a country’s flag?
It has significance/meaning beyond the physical aspect.
In this text, Paul addresses the significance/meaning of circumcision - something physical that had lost it’s meaning.
What is circumcision?
The sign of the Abrahamic covenant/promise.
God made a promise to Abraham and his decedents (Genesis 12:1–3).
Occasionally, God reminded Abraham of the promise, and Abraham responded in faith (Genesis 15:6; though at times he did have doubts).
Years later God again reminded Abraham of the promise and gave him the sign (Genesis 17:11).
The sign was not the promise, but a way to keep (guard, protect, watch, observe, preserve) /remember the promise.
The sign was a symbol/mark pointing to the promise, which was enacted/performed by the recipient.
If you believed the promise, the sign was a significant memorial/motivator (more than physical).
Isreal was prone to forgetfulness, so the Jews of Paul’s day had come to wrongly believe over a long period of time that circumcision itself was a guarantee.
If received or performed IT would protect the Jew from God’s condemnation.
But it was never meant to mean this, so here Paul is addressing that thinking.
So, let’s consider Paul’s argument in this text by way of 3 questions:
What makes circumcision valuable?
(v.
25)
Which is better, obedience or circumcision?
(vv.
26-27)
Where does true circumcision take place?
(vv.
28-29)
What makes circumcision valuable?
(v.
25)
Obedience to God’s commands.
“Value” - beneficial or useful, as originally intended.
Not for protection or exemption, but for a sign (memorial/remembrance).
Obedience is evidence of remembrance.
Otherwise, it’s as if you are uncircumcised
Your circumcised state is insignificant as originally intended.
It has no meaning beyond the physical.
So there should be no hope in it alone.
Which is better, obedience or circumcision?
(vv.
26-27)
Obedience.
Why?
Because it is better evidence (v.
26)
“Uncircumcised” refers to a Gentile.
“Keeps” - obeys God’s commands as he knows them
Either hypothetically, because no one can keep (fully) the commands of God.
Or literally, to any degree for any reason (as in the case of a Gentile Christian trying to follow God).
If anyone intends to obey God and does, that says something about them.
“Regarded” - counted or considered
It’s as if they are circumcised, even though they are not.
Just as with the disobedient Jew (v.
25), it is as if they are NOT circumcised, even though they are.
Obedience is the essential evidence/sign, circumcision or no circumcision.
So, it it better to be uncircumcised and obedient, then to be circumcised and disobedient (v.
27).
This is either literally a reference to the final judgment (Matthew 19:28; 1 Corinthians 6:2; Revelation 3:21; Revelation 20:4).
Or an implication of one person’s obedience as evidence against another person’s disobedience (Matthew 12:41–42).
“...the shortcomings of an unworthy Jew will be shown up by the example of a Gentile who, with none of the distinctive Jewish privileges, nevertheless pleases God.” (Bruce, F. F. (1985).
Romans: an introduction and commentary (Vol.
6, p. 100).
InterVarsity Press.)
Physical circumcision, therefore, is not essential; HOWEVER, there is a TRUE circumcision that is essential.
Where does true circumcision take place?
(vv.
28-29)
“Inwardly,” as opposed to “outwardly”...
“Outwardly” (v.
28) - visible/external; more specifically, “in the flesh” (NAS) or physical.
“Inwardly” (v.
29) - invisible/internal; more specifically, “of the heart” or spiritual.
This was how it was always supposed to be (Leviticus 26:41; Deuteronomy 10:16; Deuteronomy 30:6; Jeremiah 4:4; Jeremiah 9:25–26; Ezekiel 44:7; Acts 7:51).
Their heart was always supposed to be in it.
So Paul is not necessarily redefining circumcision or what is means to be a Jew; he is applying the heart behind it to all people.
The heart behind/essence of circumcision or being a Jew has always been applicable to all.
You can be a circumcised Jew without being a circumcised Jew.
How? Spiritually by the Spirit (Philippians 3:3; Colossians 2:11; Colossians 2:13).
“Jew” - title for a TRUE member/recipient of the covenant/promise (2:17; 4:9-12; 9:1-8; Galatians 3:7–9; Galatians 3:28–29).
The last phrase of verse 29 further highlights the priority of the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
But it may also be understood as a reference to name-calling.
“The Jews derived their name from their ancestor Judah (Heb.
Yĕhûdâ), whose name is associated in the Old Testament with the verb yādâ, ‘praise’; cf.
his mother’s words at his birth, ‘This time I will praise the LORD’ (Gen.
29:35), and his father’s deathbed blessing, ‘Judah, your brothers shall praise you’ (Gen.
49:8).”
(Bruce, F. F. (1985).
Romans: an introduction and commentary (Vol.
6, p. 100).
InterVarsity Press.)
Have you been spiritually circumcised?
This is essential for being.
This is essential for doing.
Benediction: Romans 11:33–36 “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
“For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?”
“Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?”
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be glory forever.
Amen.”
Scripture Reading: Galatians 5:1–15
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