Romans 2:27 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

Uncircumcision which is by nature; a periphrasis of the Gentiles, who want circumcision, or are by nature without it. Fulfil the law; here is another word; before it was keep, but now it is fulfil the law: though the word be varied, yet the sense is the same: see James 2:8. Judge thee; i.e. rise up in judgment against thee; or else, shall he not do it by his example? as in Matthew 12:41,42, the men of Nineveh, and the queen of Sheba, shall judge the Israelites. The meaning is, the obedient Gentile shall condemn the disobedient Jew. By the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law; i.e. the outward literal circumcision; or, by the letter understand the law; see 2 Corinthians 3:6. The sense is, by means of the law and circumcision, and resting in them, as pledges of the love of God, \so Romans 2:17\ they are the more secure and bold in sinning against God; it is to them an occasion of transgression.

Romans 2:27

27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?