I Am A Jew, Inwardly

Romans 1
29 But 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.

At first reading, this passage about circumcision and circumcision of the heart left me without reaction. To me, circumcision is a medical procedure. I read this, and could not pull up any particular biblical meaning. With a little study, however, I came up with an Old Testament passage on this subject, and an explanation from John Gill.

Deuteronomy 10
16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.

John Gill On Circumcision
Circumcision of the heart is a symbol of cutting off of pleasures and the removal of arrogancy, that grievous disease of the soul.

More From John Gill
Content not yourselves with, nor put your confidence in outward circumcision of the flesh. But, be concerned for the circumcision of the heart, removing whatever is disagreeable to the Lord, even all carnality, sensuality, hypocrisy, and arrogancy. And then, put there that which is well pleasing in his sight.

Powerful statement. Edifying. And humbling, in that I, so many times, just cannot figure out with the Bible says and what God is trying to tell me.

So, here is the lesson for me: the Bible shows us the many ways that man has glorified God. Some of these ways are physical, some are symbolic. Most important is that we do glorify God in some way.