Albert Barnes Commentary Romans 2:25

"For circumcision indeed profiteth, if thou be a doer of the law: but if thou be a transgressor of the law, thy circumcision is become uncircumcision." — Romans 2:25 (ASV)

For circumcision. (Acts 7:8).

This was the distinctive rite by which the relationship to the covenant of Abraham was recognized, or by which the right to all the privileges of a member of the Jewish commonwealth was acknowledged. The Jews, of course, placed great importance on the rite.

Verily profiteth. It is truly a benefit, or an advantage. The meaning is, that their being recognized as members of the Jewish commonwealth, and introduced to the privileges of the Jew, was an advantage. . The apostle was not disposed to deny that they possessed this advantage, but he tells them why it was a benefit, and how it might fail to confer any favor.

If thou keep the law. The mere sign can be of no value. The mere fact of being a Jew is not what God requires. It may be a favor to have His law, but the mere possession of the law cannot entitle one to the favor of God. So it is a privilege to be born in a Christian land, to have had pious parents, to be amidst the ordinances of religion, to be trained in Sunday schools, and to be devoted to God in baptism: for all these are favorable circumstances for salvation. But none of them entitle one to the favor of God; and unless they are improved as they should be, they may be only the means of increasing our condemnation (2 Corinthians 2:16).

Thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. Your circumcision, or your being called a Jew, is of no value. It will not distinguish you from those who are not circumcised. You will be treated as a heathen.

No external advantages, no name, or rite, or ceremony will save you. God requires the obedience of the heart and of the life.

Where there is a disposition to render that, there is an advantage in possessing the external means of grace. Where that is lacking, no rite or profession can save. This applies with as much force to those who have been baptized in infancy, and to those who have made a profession of religion in a Christian church, as to the Jew.