What is spiritual circumcision in Romans 2:29?
Spiritual circumcision is circumcision of the heart, not an outward ritual performed in the flesh. Paul teaches that the true spiritual person is one inwardly, and the circumcision that counts with God is not outward but inward, of the heart.
Les explains that this is spiritual circumcision. In the context, Paul contrasts outward Jewish identity and physical circumcision with the inward reality that God counts. He says being a Jew outwardly and having circumcision in the flesh is not the true thing; the true spiritual person is one inwardly. The circumcision that really counts with God is not of the flesh but of the heart. Paul also says a saved Gentile, whose uncircumcision by nature fulfills the law, will judge and shame the one who transgresses the law while having the letter and circumcision.
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.
More Questions
Who is a true Jew according to Paul in Romans 2:28-29?
A true Jew is not someone who is merely a Jew outwardly in the flesh; the true Jew is the spiritual person who is a Jew inwardly.