Romans 2:26
Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision?
Truth to Learn
We keep the righteous requirements of the Law through faith.
Behind the Words
The word translated “righteous requirements” is the Greek word dikaiomata, which comes from the noun dikaioo, meaning “the product or result of being justified, or declared righteous, by God.” The word dikaiomata, therefore, refers to the righteousness declared by God.
Meaning Explained
In the previous verse we learned that the Christians in Rome were very proud of their Jewish heritage and the fact that they possessed the mark of a Jew in their circumcision. But Paul also told them that if they don’t keep the Law then their circumcision is meaningless. Now he points out further that the advantage of circumcision is not in the outward appearance, but by the inward faith and action.
The translation of the word dikaiomata is a key in understanding this verse. At least one translation says:
“If then the uncircumcision keeps the ordinances of the Law …”
This makes it appear that it is possible to keep the ordinances of the Law. However, as we read further in this letter we will discover that Paul tells us that no one is justified by keeping the deeds of the Law. We will also learn that the only way to fulfill the righteousness of the law is through faith:
Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; (Romans 3:20-22)
This righteousness does not come from keeping the ordinances of the Law, it comes by keeping the righteous requirements of the Law and those righteous requirements are only kept as a result of faith. This is what the entire first part of Paul’s letter to the Romans is about. Paul will clearly declare this fact later in his letter, taking it all the way back to Abraham:
For the promise that he should be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. (Romans 4:13)
What Paul is saying in today’s verse is, if a Gentile keeps the righteousness of the Law by faith, then he or she becomes one of God’s children. This does not happen because he or she went through some bloody ceremonial surgery, but because he or she believed God and it was imputed to him or her as righteousness. The Jews’ confidence was in their flesh; our confidence is in our faith in the blood of Christ!
Application
Are you confident of your salvation? You should be! Is it because you regularly attend church? Is it because you have gone through the doctrinal teachings of your church and have become a full member? Is it because you obey all the rules of your church? Or are you confident in your salvation because you have submitted your will to God through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ and have committed yourself to serving God through faith?
In God’s service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2009 Will Krause. All rights reserved.
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