Romans 2:25

2:25 For circumcision has its value if you practice the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.

Romans 3:1-2

3:1 Therefore what advantage does the Jew have, or what is the value of circumcision? 3:2 Actually, there are many advantages. First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.

Romans 3:1

3:1 Therefore what advantage does the Jew have, or what is the value of circumcision?

Colossians 1:27-29

1:27 God wanted to make known to them the glorious riches of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 1:28 We proclaim him by instructing and teaching 10  all people 11  with all wisdom so that we may present every person mature 12  in Christ. 1:29 Toward this goal 13  I also labor, struggling according to his power that powerfully 14  works in me.

Galatians 5:6

5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision carries any weight – the only thing that matters is faith working through love. 15 

Galatians 6:15

6:15 For 16  neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for 17  anything; the only thing that matters is a new creation! 18 

Galatians 6:1

Support One Another

6:1 Brothers and sisters, 19  if a person 20  is discovered in some sin, 21  you who are spiritual 22  restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness. 23  Pay close attention 24  to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too.

Galatians 4:8

Heirs of Promise Are Not to Return to Law

4:8 Formerly when you did not know God, you were enslaved to beings that by nature are not gods at all. 25 

Hebrews 13:9

13:9 Do not be carried away by all sorts of strange teachings. 26  For it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not ritual meals, 27  which have never benefited those who participated in them.

Hebrews 13:1

Final Exhortations

13:1 Brotherly love must continue.

Hebrews 3:1

Jesus and Moses

3:1 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, 28  partners in a heavenly calling, take note of Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess, 29 


sn Circumcision refers to male circumcision as prescribed in the OT, which was given as a covenant to Abraham in Gen 17:10-14. Its importance for Judaism can hardly be overstated: According to J. D. G. Dunn (Romans [WBC], 1:120) it was the “single clearest distinguishing feature of the covenant people.” J. Marcus has suggested that the terms used for circumcision (περιτομή, peritomh) and uncircumcision (ἀκροβυστία, akrobustia) were probably derogatory slogans used by Jews and Gentiles to describe their opponents (“The Circumcision and the Uncircumcision in Rome,” NTS 35 [1989]: 77-80).

tn This contrast is clearer and stronger in Greek than can be easily expressed in English.

tn Grk “if you should be a transgressor of the law.”

tn Grk “much in every way.”

tc ‡ Most witnesses (א A D2 33 Ï) have γάρ (gar) after μέν (men), though some significant Alexandrian and Western witnesses lack the conjunction (B D* G Ψ 81 365 1506 2464* pc latt). A few mss have γάρ, but not μέν (6 1739 1881). γάρ was frequently added by scribes as a clarifying conjunction, making it suspect here. NA27 has the γάρ in brackets, indicating doubt as to its authenticity.

tn Grk “they were.”

tn The referent of λόγια (logia, “oracles”) has been variously understood: (1) BDAG 598 s.v. λόγιον takes the term to refer here to “God’s promises to the Jews”; (2) some have taken this to refer more narrowly to the national promises of messianic salvation given to Israel (so S. L. Johnson, Jr., “Studies in Romans: Part VII: The Jews and the Oracles of God,” BSac 130 [1973]: 245); (3) perhaps the most widespread interpretation sees the term as referring to the entire OT generally.

tn The genitive noun τῆς δόξης (ths doxhs) is an attributive genitive and has therefore been translated as “glorious riches.”

tn Or “admonishing,” or “warning.” BDAG 679 s.v. νουθετέω states, “to counsel about avoidance or cessation of an improper course of conduct,, admonish, warn, instruct.” After the participle νουθετοῦντες (nouqetounte", “instructing”) the words πάντα ἄνθρωπον (panta anqrwpon, “all men”) occur in the Greek text, but since the same phrase appears again after διδάσκοντες (didaskontes) it was omitted in translation to avoid redundancy in English.

10 tn The two participles “instructing” (νουθετοῦντες, nouqetounte") and “teaching” (διδάσκοντες, didaskonte") are translated as participles of means (“by”) related to the finite verb “we proclaim” (καταγγέλλομεν, katangellomen).

11 tn Here ἄνθρωπον (anqrwpon) is twice translated as a generic (“people” and “person”) since both men and women are clearly intended in this context.

12 tn Since Paul’s focus is on the present experience of the Colossians, “mature” is a better translation of τέλειον (teleion) than “perfect,” since the latter implies a future, eschatological focus.

13 tn The Greek phrase εἴς ὅ (eis Jo, “toward which”) implies “movement toward a goal” and has been rendered by the English phrase “Toward this goal.”

14 tn The prepositional phrase ἐν δυνάμει (en dunamei) seems to be functioning adverbially, related to the participle, and has therefore been translated “powerfully.”

15 tn Grk “but faith working through love.”

16 tc The phrase “in Christ Jesus” is found after “For” in some mss (א A C D F G 0278 1881 Ï lat bo), but lacking in Ì46 B Ψ 33 1175 1505 1739* and several fathers. The longer reading probably represents a harmonization to Gal 5:6.

17 tn Grk “is.”

18 tn Grk “but a new creation”; the words “the only thing that matters” have been supplied to reflect the implied contrast with the previous clause (see also Gal 5:6).

19 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:11.

20 tn Here ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is used in a generic sense, referring to both men and women.

21 tn Or “some transgression” (L&N 88.297).

22 sn Who are spiritual refers to people who are controlled and directed by God’s Spirit.

23 tn Or “with a gentle spirit” or “gently.”

24 tn Grk “taking careful notice.”

25 tn Grk “those that by nature…” with the word “beings” implied. BDAG 1070 s.v. φύσις 2 sees this as referring to pagan worship: “Polytheists worship…beings that are by nature no gods at all Gal 4:8.”

26 tn Grk “by diverse and strange teachings.”

27 tn Grk “foods,” referring to the meals associated with the OT sacrifices (see the contrast with the next verse; also 9:9-10; 10:1, 4, 11).

28 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 2:11.

29 tn Grk “of our confession.”