ROM 2:29 Interlinear View

1. Greek word
2. Greek lemma
3. OET-LV words
4. OET-RV words
5. Strongs
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. ἀλλʼ
2. alla
3. but
4. -
5. 2350
6. C·······
7. but
8. but
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106136
1. ὁ
2. ho
3. the one
4. -
5. 35880
6. R····NMS
7. the ‹one›
8. the ‹one›
9. -
10. Y60; F106149
11. 106137
1. ἐν
2. en
3. on
4. -
5. 17220
6. P·······
7. on
8. on
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106138
1. τῷ
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····DNS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106139
1. κρυπτῷ
2. kruptos
3. secret
4. -
5. 29270
6. S····DNS
7. secret
8. secret
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106140
1. Ἰουδαῖος
2. ioudaios
3. +a Youdaios is
4. -
5. 24530
6. S····NMS
7. ˓a˒ Youdaios ‹is›
8. ˓a˒ Jew ‹is›
9. U
10. Y60
11. 106141
1. καί
2. kai
3. and
4. -
5. 25320
6. C·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106142
1. περιτομή
2. peritomē
3. circumcision is
4. circumcision
5. 40610
6. N····NFS
7. circumcision ‹is›
8. circumcision ‹is›
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106143
1. καρδίας
2. kardia
3. of heart
4. heart
5. 25880
6. N····GFS
7. ˱of˲ heart
8. ˱of˲ heart
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106144
1. ἐν
2. en
3. by
4. -
5. 17220
6. P·······
7. by
8. by
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106145
1. Πνεύματι
2. pneuma
3. +the spirit
4. spirit
5. 41510
6. N····DNS
7. ˓the˒ spirit
8. ˓the˒ Spirit
9. GN
10. Y60; Person=Holy_Spirit
11. 106146
1. οὒ
2. ou
3. not
4. -
5. 37560
6. D·······
7. not
8. not
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106147
1. γράμματι
2. gramma
3. by +the letter
4. letter
5. 11210
6. N····DNS
7. ˱by˲ ˓the˒ letter
8. ˱by˲ ˓the˒ letter
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106148
1. οὗ
2. hos
3. of whom
4. -
5. 37390
6. R····GMS
7. ˱of˲ whom
8. ˱of˲ whom
9. -
10. Y60; R106137
11. 106149
1. ὁ
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····NMS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106150
1. ἔπαινος
2. epainos
3. praise
4. praise
5. 18680
6. N····NMS
7. praise
8. praise
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106151
1. οὐκ
2. ou
3. not
4. -
5. 37560
6. D·······
7. not
8. not
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106152
1. ἐξ
2. ek
3. of
4. -
5. 15370
6. P·······
7. of
8. of
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106153
1. ἀνθρώπων
2. anthrōpos
3. humans
4. -
5. 4440
6. N····GMP
7. humans
8. humans
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106154
1. ἀλλʼ
2. alla
3. but
4. -
5. 2350
6. C·······
7. but
8. but
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106155
1. ἐκ
2. ek
3. of
4. -
5. 15370
6. P·······
7. of
8. of
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106156
1. τοῦ
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····GMS
7. ¬the
8. ¬the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106157
1. Θεοῦ
2. theos
3. god
4. God
5. 23160
6. N····GMS
7. god
8. God
9. GN
10. Y60; Person=God
11. 106158

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 2:17–29: The Jews and the law of Moses

In this section, Paul talked to the Jews about themselves. He continued to use the singular “you,” as in the previous section. This form of teaching is called a “diatribe.” (See Section 2:1–16.)

Using this diatribe, Paul rebuked the Jews because they had the law of Moses but they disobeyed it.

Paul showed them that an outward sign of religion is of no use to people if they did not do what is right. He told them that God praises those whose heart is right with God.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

God praises a changed heart

Truly following God comes from the heart

2:29a

No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly,

However, a true/real Jew is someone who thinks in godly ways,
Indeed, the person who is a true Jew must/will think according to God.

No: This word indicates contrast between outward appearances and thoughts. But 2:28 says it is not about outward appearances, and 2:29 says it is about thoughts.

In some languages it is more natural to allow the context to indicate the connection and not translate the conjunction. For example:

True,

Indeed,

a Jew: See the note at 2:28a–29a above.

inwardly: Here this word means “the inner being.” It refers to what a person thinks. Here are other ways to translate this word:

on the inside (GNT)

thoughtsKankanaey Back Translation on TW.

in what is not seen

in what he thinks

2:29b

and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code.

and true circumcision is something that happens in the inner person, by the Holy Spirit and not by the words of the law of Moses.
Similarly, true circumcision occurs in a person’s heart/liver/insides. The Holy Spirit causes it. Following rules does not cause it.

circumcision is a matter of the heart: Here Paul used the word circumcision and heart in a figurative sense. This clause means “the mark of a relationship with God is found in the inner being of a person.” If a person has turned to God, God makes his inner being new and that marks him as having a relationship with God.

In many languages, a literal translation would not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

Explain the clause in the text. For example:
circumcision (and here I mean the mark/sign that he is one of God’s people) is a matter of the heart But since you added this implied information in 2:28b, you may not need to repeat it here.
Translate the meaning of “the mark of a relationship with God is found in the inner being of a person” here. You may then want a footnote to indicate the literal word. Here is an example footnote:
Literally “circumcision is a matter of the heart.”
Translate the literal meaning of the clause but explain it here in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:
Here this clause means “the mark of a relationship with God is found in the heart of a person.”

by the Spirit, not by the written code: There are four ways to interpret the word Spirit here:

It refers to the Holy Spirit, as in the BSB. (BSB, ESV, NIV, GNT, NASB, NLT, NET, NCV)
It refers to the intent and purpose of the law of Moses. It contrasts to the letter (the literal words) of that law. For example:
in the spirit, [and] not in the letter (KJV) (KJV, NABRE)
It indicates that this circumcision is spiritual. For example:
spiritual and not literal (RSV) (RSV, GW, CEV, REB)
It refers to a person’s spirit. For example:
a thing not of the letter but of the spirit (NJB) (NJB)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because many scholars support it.Including Moo, Morris, and Schreiner. But Alford and Nicoll present good arguments for interpretation (2).

2:29c

Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God.

God praises him, even if no person does.
That person's praise will come from God, not from people. (GW)

Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God: This clause refers to the man who has a relationship with God. The Holy Spirit has “circumcised” his heart.

In some languages this clause would refer to the person of the “written code,” because it is the last word of 2:29b. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

Make “Spirit” the last word in 2:29b. For example:
^29band circumcision is a matter of the heart, not by the written code but by the Spirit. ^29cSuch a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God.
Explain the correct meaning in the text. For example:
The man whose circumcision is by the Spirit, such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God.

praise: This word refers to God commending this person. God says that he has done good and approves him.

Some languages must use a verb here. For example:

God, rather than men, praises such a person.

men: Here this word is general and refers to people. For example:

He may not be praised by any human being, but he will be praised by God. (NJB)

Nobody might praise him, but God praises him.

General Comment on 2:28a–29c

These verses say what a true person of God is not, then says what he is. In some languages it is more natural to say what he is first. For example:

^28–29For a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God. A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ Ἰουδαῖος

on the secret ˓a˒_Jew_‹is›

The word translated secretly refers to something that other people cannot see or that is hidden. The meaning here is the opposite of “visibly” in the previous verse. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: [a Jew in an inward way not seen by others]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

Ἰουδαῖος

˓a˒_Jew_‹is›

Here Paul uses Jew in the same way he did in the previous verse. See how you translated this word in the previous verse.

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

περιτομὴ καρδίας

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἀλλʼ ὁ ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ Ἰουδαῖος καί περιτομή καρδίας ἐν Πνεύματι οὒ γράμματι οὗ ὁ ἔπαινος οὐκ ἐξ ἀνθρώπων ἀλλʼ ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ)

Paul is using the possessive form to describe a circumcision that is performed in the heart. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different expression. Alternate translation: [circumcision is performed in the heart] or [circumcision is an inward change]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

περιτομὴ καρδίας

The phrase circumcision of the heart is an idiom that refers to the change in thinking and attitude that happens when God saves a person. It can also be considered an inward mark of belonging to God’s people, just as circumcision was an outer mark of being Jewish. This expression first occurred in the Old Testament ([Deuteronomy 30:6](../deu/30/06.md); [Jeremiah 4:4](../jer/04/04.md)). If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. See how you translated “this circumcision” in the previous verse. Alternate translation: [truly belongs to God’s people by removal of sin]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

καρδίας

˱of˲_heart

See how you translated this word in [1:21](../01/21.md).

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐν Πνεύματι, οὐ γράμματι

on by ˓the˒_Spirit (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἀλλʼ ὁ ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ Ἰουδαῖος καί περιτομή καρδίας ἐν Πνεύματι οὒ γράμματι οὗ ὁ ἔπαινος οὐκ ἐξ ἀνθρώπων ἀλλʼ ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ)

Here, both occurrences of in indicate the means by which something happened. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: [by means of the Spirit, not by means of the letter]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐν Πνεύματι

on by ˓the˒_Spirit

Here, the Spirit could refer to: (1) the Holy Spirit, who changes a person’s thoughts and attitude when God saves that person, as in the UST. (2) a person’s spirit, which would require interpreting in to refer to a place. Alternate translation: [in one’s spirit]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

γράμματι

˱by˲_˓the˒_letter

See how you translated letter in [2:27](../02/27.md).

Note 9 topic: writing-pronouns

οὗ ὁ ἔπαινος

˱of˲_whom the praise

The pronoun whose refers to the one who is inwardly a Jew. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: [that inward Jew’s praise]

Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

οὗ ὁ ἔπαινος

˱of˲_whom the praise

Paul is using the possessive form whose to indicate who receives the praise. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different expression. Alternate translation: [his praise]

Note 11 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

ἐξ ἀνθρώπων

of humans

Although the term men is masculine, Paul is using the word here in a generic sense that includes both men and women. Alternate translation: [from people]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

1. OET-LV words
2. OET-RV words
3. Strongs
4. Greek word
5. Greek lemma
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. but
2. -
3. 2350
5. alla
6. C-·······
7. but
8. but
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106136
1. the one
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. R-····NMS
7. the ‹one›
8. the ‹one›
9. -
10. Y60; F106149
11. 106137
1. on
2. -
3. 17220
5. en
6. P-·······
7. on
8. on
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106138
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····DNS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106139
1. secret
2. -
3. 29270
5. kruptos
6. S-····DNS
7. secret
8. secret
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106140
1. +a Youdaios is
2. -
3. 24530
4. U
5. ioudaios
6. S-····NMS
7. ˓a˒ Youdaios ‹is›
8. ˓a˒ Jew ‹is›
9. U
10. Y60
11. 106141
1. and
2. -
3. 25320
5. kai
6. C-·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106142
1. circumcision is
2. circumcision
3. 40610
5. peritomē
6. N-····NFS
7. circumcision ‹is›
8. circumcision ‹is›
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106143
1. of heart
2. heart
3. 25880
5. kardia
6. N-····GFS
7. ˱of˲ heart
8. ˱of˲ heart
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106144
1. by
2. -
3. 17220
5. en
6. P-·······
7. by
8. by
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106145
1. +the spirit
2. spirit
3. 41510
4. GN
5. pneuma
6. N-····DNS
7. ˓the˒ spirit
8. ˓the˒ Spirit
9. GN
10. Y60; Person=Holy_Spirit
11. 106146
1. not
2. -
3. 37560
5. ou
6. D-·······
7. not
8. not
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106147
1. by +the letter
2. letter
3. 11210
5. gramma
6. N-····DNS
7. ˱by˲ ˓the˒ letter
8. ˱by˲ ˓the˒ letter
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106148
1. of whom
2. -
3. 37390
5. hos
6. R-····GMS
7. ˱of˲ whom
8. ˱of˲ whom
9. -
10. Y60; R106137
11. 106149
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····NMS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106150
1. praise
2. praise
3. 18680
5. epainos
6. N-····NMS
7. praise
8. praise
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106151
1. not
2. -
3. 37560
5. ou
6. D-·······
7. not
8. not
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106152
1. of
2. -
3. 15370
5. ek
6. P-·······
7. of
8. of
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106153
1. humans
2. -
3. 4440
5. anthrōpos
6. N-····GMP
7. humans
8. humans
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106154
1. but
2. -
3. 2350
5. alla
6. C-·······
7. but
8. but
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106155
1. of
2. -
3. 15370
5. ek
6. P-·······
7. of
8. of
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106156
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····GMS
7. ¬the
8. ¬the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 106157
1. god
2. God
3. 23160
4. GN
5. theos
6. N-····GMS
7. god
8. God
9. GN
10. Y60; Person=God
11. 106158

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.