Albert Barnes Commentary Romans 2:29

"but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." — Romans 2:29 (ASV)

But he is a Jew. He fulfills the design of the Jewish institution; he truly shows what it is to be a Jew.

Which is one inwardly. Who is in heart a Jew. Who has the true spirit, and fulfills the design of their being separated as a peculiar people. This passage proves that the design of separating them was not merely to perform certain external rites, or to conform to external observances, but to be a people holy in heart and in life. It cannot be denied that this design was not generally understood in the time of the apostles; but it was abundantly declared in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 6:5; Deuteronomy 10:12, 13, 20; Deuteronomy 30:20; Isaiah 1:11–20; Micah 6:8; Psalms 51:16–17; Psalms 50:7–23).

And circumcision is that of the heart. That is, the circumcision that is acceptable to God, and which meets the design of the institution, is that which is attended with holiness of heart, with the cutting off of sins, and with a pure life. The design of circumcision was to be a sign of separation from the heathen world and of consecration to the holy God. And this design implied the renunciation and forsaking of all sins, or the cutting off of everything that was offensive to God. This was a work distinctively of the heart. This design was often stated and enforced in the writings of the Old Testament. For example, Deuteronomy 10:16 says, Circumcise, therefore, the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. (Deuteronomy 30:6).

In the spirit. This is an expression further explaining what he had just said. It does not mean by the Holy Spirit, but that the work was to take place in the soul, and not in the body only. It was to be an internal, spiritual work, and not merely an external service.

And not in the letter. That is, not only according to the literal, external command.

Whose praise, etc. Their object is not to secure the praise of men. One of the main characteristics of the Jews in the time of Christ was a desire to secure honor among men, by being meticulously scrupulous in the performance of all the duties of their religion. They prided themselves on their descent from Abraham and on their regular conformity to the precepts of the law of Moses (Matthew 3:9; Matthew 6:2, 5; Luke 18:10–12; Matthew 23:23).

But of God. Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). The praise of God can be bestowed only on those who conform really, and not externally only, to his requirements.

The remarks made here respecting the Jews are also strictly applicable to professing Christians, and we may learn the following:

1. That the external rites of religion are of much less importance than the state of the heart.

2. That the only value of those rites is to promote holiness of heart and life.

3. That the mere fact that we are born of pious ancestors will not save us.

4. That the fact that we were dedicated to God in baptism will not save us.

5. That a mere profession of religion, however orthodox our creed may be, will not save us.

6. That the estimate which men may place on our piety is not the proper measure of our true character and standing.

7. It is an inexpressible privilege to possess the word of God and to know our duty. It may, if improved, contribute to our elevation in holiness and happiness here, and to our eternal happiness in the life to come.

8. It is also a fearful thing to neglect the privileges we enjoy. We shall be judged according to the light we have, and it will be an awful event to go to eternity from a Christian land unprepared.

9. Whatever may be the destiny of the heathen, it is our duty to make preparation to meet God. The most wicked of the heathen may meet a far milder doom than many who are eternally moral, or who profess religion in Christian lands. Instead, therefore, of speculating on what may be their destiny, it is the duty of every individual to be at peace with God himself, and to flee from the wrath to come.