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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Romans 2:23–26

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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4 selected · 25 available

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SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

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From verse 23

  1. James 4:16–17Rank 1 from verse 23
    Open

    16But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

    17Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

  2. Romans 2:17Rank 2 from verse 23
    Open

    17Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,

  3. John 5:45Rank 3 from verse 23
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    45Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.

  4. Romans 3:2Rank 4 from verse 23
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    2Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

  5. Romans 9:4Rank 5 from verse 23
    Open

    4Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

  6. James 1:22–27Rank 6 from verse 23
    Open

    22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

    23For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

    24For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

    25But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

    26If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

    27Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

  7. Jeremiah 8:8–9Rank 7 from verse 23
    Open

    8How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain.

    9The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord; and what wisdom is in them?

  8. John 9:28–29Rank 8 from verse 23
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    28Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples.

    29We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.

  9. Luke 10:26–29Rank 9 from verse 23
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    26He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

    27And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

    28And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

    29But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

  10. Luke 18:11Rank 10 from verse 23
    Open

    11The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

  11. Matthew 19:17–20Rank 11 from verse 23
    Open

    17And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

    18He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

    19Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

    20The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

From verse 24

  1. Ezekiel 36:20–23Rank 1 from verse 24
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    20And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the Lord, and are gone forth out of his land.

    21¶ But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went.

    22Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name’s sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.

    23And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.

  2. Isaiah 52:5Rank 2 from verse 24
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    5Now therefore, what have I here, saith the Lord, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the Lord; and my name continually every day is blasphemed.

  3. 2 Peter 2:2Rank 3 from verse 24
    Open

    2And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

  4. Lamentations 2:15–16Rank 4 from verse 24
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    15All that pass by clap their hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, saying, Is this the city that men call The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth?

    16All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee: they hiss and gnash the teeth: they say, We have swallowed her up: certainly this is the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen it.

  5. 2 Samuel 12:14Rank 5 from verse 24
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    14Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.

  6. Titus 2:8Rank 6 from verse 24
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    8Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

  7. 1 Timothy 6:1Rank 7 from verse 24
    Open

    1LET as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

  8. Titus 2:5Rank 8 from verse 24
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    5To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

  9. Matthew 18:7Rank 9 from verse 24
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    7¶ Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

  10. 1 Timothy 5:14Rank 10 from verse 24
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    14I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

From verse 25

  1. Galatians 5:3–6Rank 1 from verse 25
    Open

    3For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

    4Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

    5For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

    6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

  2. Jeremiah 4:4Rank 2 from verse 25
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    4Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.

  3. Acts 7:51Rank 3 from verse 25
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    51¶ Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

  4. Galatians 6:15Rank 4 from verse 25
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    15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

  5. Deuteronomy 30:6Rank 5 from verse 25
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    6And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

  6. Jeremiah 9:25–26Rank 6 from verse 25
    Open

    25¶ Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised;

    26Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart.

  7. Romans 2:23Rank 7 from verse 25
    Open

    23Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?

  8. Romans 2:28–2Rank 8 from verse 25
    Open

    Verse text is unavailable.

  9. Ephesians 2:11–12Rank 9 from verse 25
    Open

    11Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

    12That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

  10. Romans 4:11–12Rank 10 from verse 25
    Open

    11And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

    12And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

From verse 26

  1. Colossians 2:11Rank 1 from verse 26
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    11In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

  2. 1 Corinthians 7:18–19Rank 2 from verse 26
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    18Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.

    19Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

  3. Romans 8:4Rank 3 from verse 26
    Open

    4That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

  4. Acts 10:2–4Rank 4 from verse 26
    Open

    2A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

    3He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

    4And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

  5. Acts 10:34–35Rank 5 from verse 26
    Open

    34¶ Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

    35But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

  6. Acts 11:3–18Rank 6 from verse 26
    Open

    3Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

    4But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,

    5I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:

    6Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

    7And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.

    8But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.

    9But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

    10And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.

    11And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Cæsarea unto me.

    12And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house:

    13And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;

    14Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

    15And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

    16Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

    17Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?

    18When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

  7. Ephesians 2:11Rank 7 from verse 26
    Open

    11Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

  8. Isaiah 56:6–7Rank 8 from verse 26
    Open

    6Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;

    7Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

  9. Matthew 15:28Rank 9 from verse 26
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    28Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

  10. Matthew 8:11–12Rank 10 from verse 26
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    11And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

    12But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

  11. Philippians 3:3Rank 11 from verse 26
    Open

    3For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

  12. Romans 3:30Rank 12 from verse 26
    Open

    30Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Romans 2:23

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

boast

↗

Sense 1: To glory, exult, or speak confidently concerning oneself, another, or that in which one trusts. Sense 2: An expression or ground of glorying or confidence.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

law

↗

Sense 1: An authoritative rule, command, ordinance, instruction, standard, or body of requirements. Sense 2: The writings containing such instruction. Sense 3: A governing principle, power, regular order, or civil rule. Sense 4: In family compounds, relationship by marriage.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

breaking

↗

The act or process of parting, opening, bursting, demolishing, violating, dividing, or beginning to break forth.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Romans 2:24

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

name

↗

Sense 1: A word, appellation, or designation by which a person or thing is called or known. Sense 2: The person or persons named or represented. Sense 3: Reputation, character, renown, or remembrance. Sense 4: The authority, behalf, or standing represented by a name. Sense 5: As a verb, to call, designate, or mention by name.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

blasphemed

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of blaspheme, meaning to speak evil, reproachfully, contemptuously, or cursedly against God, a person, or sacred things.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604

COMBINED MEANING

you

↗

The second-person plural pronoun referring to those being addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

written

↗

Past-tense or past-participial form of write (to set down, record, or communicate in letters or writing).

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Romans 2:25

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

circumcision

↗

Sense 1: The cutting off of the foreskin. Sense 2: Persons identified with that bodily sign.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Bullokar 1616

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

keep

↗

To guard, watch, protect, preserve, secure, retain, possess, hold, maintain, support, tend, manage, observe, obey, fulfil, celebrate, continue in, refrain from, or remain faithful to a person, place, trust, command, promise, way, time, or thing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

law

↗

Sense 1: An authoritative rule, command, ordinance, instruction, standard, or body of requirements. Sense 2: The writings containing such instruction. Sense 3: A governing principle, power, regular order, or civil rule. Sense 4: In family compounds, relationship by marriage.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

breaker

↗

1. One who breaks through or opens a way. 2. One who violates a law.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

made

↗

Formed, caused, prepared, appointed, or brought into a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

uncircumcision

↗

Sense 1: The state of not being circumcised. Sense 2: Uncircumcised persons considered as a group.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Romans 2:26

COMBINED MEANING

uncircumcision

↗

Sense 1: The state of not being circumcised. Sense 2: Uncircumcised persons considered as a group.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

keep

↗

To guard, watch, protect, preserve, secure, retain, possess, hold, maintain, support, tend, manage, observe, obey, fulfil, celebrate, continue in, refrain from, or remain faithful to a person, place, trust, command, promise, way, time, or thing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

law

↗

Sense 1: An authoritative rule, command, ordinance, instruction, standard, or body of requirements. Sense 2: The writings containing such instruction. Sense 3: A governing principle, power, regular order, or civil rule. Sense 4: In family compounds, relationship by marriage.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

counted

↗

Sense 1: Past tense or past participle of count: numbered or calculated. Sense 2: Past tense or past participle of count: reckoned, regarded, esteemed, or accounted as.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

circumcision

↗

Sense 1: The cutting off of the foreskin. Sense 2: Persons identified with that bodily sign.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Bullokar 1616

READ THE PASSAGE

View in context

Suggested context · Romans 2:17–29

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

2:17Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,

2:18And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;

2:19And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,

2:20An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.

2:21Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?

2:22Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?

2:23Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?

Selected passage

2:24For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.

Selected passage

2:25For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.

Selected passage

2:26Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?

Selected passage

2:27And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?

2:28For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

2:29But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

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