Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law.
27. By the letter and circumcision, etc. A construction Hypallage, substitution, a figure of speech, by which a noun or an adjective is put in a form different from its obvious import. — Ed which means a literal circumcision. He does not mean that they violated the law, because they had the literal circumcision; but because they continued, though they had the outward rite, to...
In the latter part of the chapter the apostle directs his discourse more closely to the Jews, and shows what sins they were guilty of, notwithstanding their profession and vain pretensions. He had said (Rom 2:13) that not the hearers but the doers of the law are justified; and he here applies that great truth to the Jews. Observe, I.
Commenting on Romans 2:17-29
But he is a Jew which is one inwardly,.... Who has an internal work of grace upon his soul: who has not only an outward name, but an inward nature; not the law of God in the hand, but in the heart; not an external righteousness only, but internal holiness; and who is not a mere outward court worshipper, but a worshipper of God in Spirit and in truth.