Romans 2:29

New International Reader's Version

No, a person is a Jew only if they are a Jew on the inside. And true circumcision means that the heart has been circumcised by the Holy Spirit. The person whose heart has been circumcised does more than obey the written law. The praise that matters for that kind of person does not come from other people. It comes from God.

Cross References

1 Chronicles 29:17

My God, I know that you tested our hearts. And you are pleased when we are honest. I’ve given all these things just because I wanted to. When I did it, I was completely honest with you. Your people here have also been willing to give to you. And I’ve been happy to see this.

Psalm 45:13

In her room, the princess looks glorious. Her gown has gold threads running through it.

Jeremiah 4:14

People of Jerusalem, wash your sins from your hearts and be saved. How long will you hold on to your evil thoughts?

Jeremiah 4:4

People of Judah and you who live in Jerusalem, obey me. Do not let your hearts be stubborn. If you do, my anger will blaze out against you. It will burn like fire because of the evil things you have done. No one will be able to put it out.

Jeremiah 9:25

“The days are coming when I will judge people,” announces the Lord. “I will punish all those who are circumcised only in their bodies.

Luke 11:39

Then the Lord spoke to him. “You Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish,” he said. “But inside you are full of greed and evil.

Luke 17:21

People will not say, ‘Here it is.’ Or, ‘There it is.’ That’s because God’s kingdom is among you.”

John 12:43

They loved praise from people more than praise from God.

John 4:23

But a new time is coming. In fact, it is already here. True worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth. They are the kind of worshipers the Father is looking for.

John 5:44

You accept praise from one another. But you do not seek the praise that comes from the only God. So how can you believe?

Romans 14:17

God’s kingdom is not about eating or drinking. It is about doing what is right and having peace and joy. All this comes through the Holy Spirit.

Romans 2:27

Many are not circumcised physically, but they obey the law. They will prove that you are guilty. You are breaking the law, even though you have the written law and are circumcised.

Romans 3:1

Is there any advantage in being a Jew? Is there any value in being circumcised?

Romans 7:6

But now we have died to what used to control us. We have been set free from the law. Now we serve in the new way of the Holy Spirit. We no longer serve in the old way of the written law.

1 Corinthians 4:5

So don’t judge anything before the appointed time. Wait until the Lord returns. He will bring to light what is hidden in the dark. He will show the real reasons why people do what they do. At that time each person will receive their praise from God.

1 Corinthians 7:19

Being circumcised means nothing. Being uncircumcised means nothing. Doing what God commands is what counts.

2 Corinthians 10:18

Those who praise themselves are not accepted. Those the Lord praises are accepted.

2 Corinthians 3:6

He has given us the power to serve under a new covenant. The covenant is not based on the written Law of Moses. It comes from the Holy Spirit. The written Law kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Deuteronomy 10:16

So don’t be stubborn anymore. Obey the Lord.

Deuteronomy 30:6

The Lord your God will keep you from being stubborn. He’ll do the same thing for your children and their children. Then you will love him with all your heart and with all your soul. And you will live.

Philippians 3:3

But we have been truly circumcised. We serve God by the power of his Spirit. We boast about what Christ Jesus has done. We don’t put our trust in who we are or what we can do.

1 Thessalonians 2:4

In fact, it is just the opposite. God has approved us to preach. He has trusted us with the good news. We aren’t trying to please people. We want to please God. He tests our hearts.

1 Peter 3:4

Instead, your beauty comes from inside you. It is the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. Beauty like this doesn’t fade away. God places great value on it.

1 Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider how handsome or tall he is. I have not chosen him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outside of a person. But the Lord looks at what is in the heart.”