And shall not (s) uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the (t) letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
(s) He who is uncircumcised by nature and race.
(t) Paul often contrasts the letter against the Spirit: but in this place, the circumcision which is according to the letter is the cutting off of the foreskin, but the circumcision of the Spirit is the circumcision of the heart, that is to say, the spiritual result of the ceremony is true holiness and righteousness, by which the people of God are known from profane and heathen men.