We left off yesterday with Paul telling the Jews in verse 20 “You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God.  For you are certain that God’s law give you complete knowledge and truth.”

21-24 (paraphrased) Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself?  You tell others not to steal, commit adultery, or worship idols; but don’t you do all of those things yourselves?  You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it.  No wonder the scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme God because of you.” 

25-27 (Direct Quote) “Circumcision has value only if you obey God’s law.  But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile.  (26) And if the Gentiles obey God’s law, won’t God declare them to be his own people? (27)  In fact uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God’s law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God’s law but don’t obey it.”

28-29 (Direct Quote) “For you are not a Jew just because you were born to Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. (29) No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God.  And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit.  And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not people.”

My comments: Before Jesus resurrection, only Israelites were able to be in covenant with God.  That covenant was sealed through physical circumcision.  So by being circumcised, that signified that they were in covenant with God.  After Jesus resurrection, the Gentiles (or everyone else) were welcomed into God’s family.  Physical circumcision was done away with, but now were are to have a circumcision of the heart, or in other words, a changed heart. I believe Paul was saying that it no longer matters if you were born into the Jewish blood line, or if you are circumcised physically. That no longer means you are in covenant with  God.   Now in order to be in covenant with God you have to have a changed heart produced by the Holy Spirit.  I believe that means accepting Jesus as your Lord (boss) and savior, and desiring and choosing to live a God honoring life