#63. Romans 2:28-29 – Applause of God

Part II: The Conduct of Humanity

For not that which is apparent is the Jew, nor yet that which is apparent in flesh is circumcision; but that which is hidden is the Jew, and circumcision is of the heart, in spirit, not in letter, whose applause is not of men, but of God.

Apparent/Hidden

Let us end our consideration of Romans 2 by setting aside man’s pre-supposed “spiritual Israel,” and instead turn our attention to the positive affirmations of the Greek text itself.

As previously mentioned, there is a notable difference between “apparent,” phaneron, and “hidden,” krupton. Paul uses phaneron one other time, in Romans 1:19, where we read that “that which is known of God is apparent among men, for God manifests it to them.” Paul also uses krupton one other time, in Romans 2:16, where we read that “the hidden things of humanity” will be judged by God. In acknowledging this, the argument’s tone toward the Jew is precise, and may read something like this:

“You, Jew, have attempted to make yourself appear as something larger than life in this flesh. I have made Myself apparent to you, and you, instead of humbly acknowledging this and growing into maturity through faith, have instead taken this as a challenge. You now seek to make yourself apparent to Me, as if I could not already know, or am somehow inferior to you if I don’t acquiesce to your shifting goalposts. Just because you cut the tip of your penis off does not mean you have fulfilled your end of My covenant at Sinai, nor does a lack of faith mean that you partake of the Abrahamic blessing. I do not look upon what is apparent, but your hidden actions, in secret.”

In this, the two terms used once prior directly contribute to the present thought, in a thematic sense. The apparent truths of God are compared to the false appearances of the flesh. God’s judgment of hidden acts take us beneath the surface appearance, where the true Jew can be found. The true Jew is not subject to the orthodoxy of the modern era; the true Jew puts away the flesh. Their heart is circumcised. Righteousness must prevail within the Jew – and only then can they be said to be a Jew.

Reality check: has anyone actually done this?

No. No! Of course not. No individual, whether born of Abraham’s seed or otherwise, has ever done this. Every human being, as was previously mentioned, falls prey to disrespect and unrighteousness toward God in some manner. Under works of law, none can succeed, and all are crushed under the weight of righteous burden.

Second reality check: did God know that man would be unable to accomplish the law, going in?

Yes. Why would the all-knowing God somehow fumble such a major consideration? Is this a demonstration to prove a point to Him, or is it a demonstration for our learning? Surely, the latter must be the case, for the all-knowing God doesn’t need to explain Himself to Himself. Yet, while the explanation is solely for you, it is for both the benefit of you and God that you first discover your own shortcomings, that the backdrop for the evangel can finally be painted.

Thus we read how God will expose the “apparent” Jew for what they are truly doing – dressing up their humanoid soil frame and calling it art. The hidden Jew will partake of the blessings promised to them throughout the bulk of the Old Testament, while the apparent Jew has yet to wake up and smell the coffee. They must awaken and face the judgment of God, for the dichotomy is apparent: if one is focused on the apparent, then they cannot appreciate the hidden. Those who operate in what is “apparent” must be corrected by God!

The Applause of God

To be “hidden” is not fun. For the true Jewish believer today, the cultural denomination of “Jew” is an abhorrent misrepresentation of the true Jewish faith, as conveyed by Yahweh exclusively – one that does not rely on the law, but relies on the One Who gave it, through faith alone.

This is the only display worthy of applause – one that cannot readily be seen by the human eye. God affirms applause toward the faithful servant and nation (Matt. 25:14-30, 1 Cor. 4:5.) Faith shown in service is the true circumcision of the heart, and because of the death of Christ covering the sins of Israel, this true circumcision can be demonstrated in the faithful; their ransom is paid!

To know this – rejoice in it – and remain unknown in endurance that all that was promised will come to pass is a uniquely heavy burden. When will it come to pass? How will God live up to His claims? Who will be there? The answers to these questions are known to the Jew circumcised of the heart – and they will be rewarded for their patience during the nations’ darkest time, under the most blatant insubordination to God.

This heavy burden, however, is not accomplished by the Jew. The applause is of God because God ensured it. He alone severed the nation. He alone crafts their faith. God has given His Son – thus the glory and honor and peace will come to the Jew who has met the standard of righteousness, at God’s hand.

The intimacy of this applause cannot be understated. It is crafted by God, and moreover crafted in such a way that its recipient, being the hidden Jew, knows it is crafted by God, and further knows that no other opinion is of comparable import. The applause of God is undeserved, from man’s works-based premise – yet its correctness remains on His sacrificial premise. This unique balance, its clarity and force, will not waver in the mind of the circumcised Jew. Any doubts are quelled over the course of their walk, and in its place, reverence toward God prepares for the law being written in their hearts, as was promised beforehand (Jer. 31:33.)

Praise Yah for His grand gratuities in grace! His demonstration of the Jews’ failure is our gain! When we reach Romans 9-11, we will celebrate, in greater clarity, the truths of the circumcised of heart. For now, we may rest in their eventual applause, regards God’s crafted heart, in preparation for their restorative conduct (see the study of God’s Timeline for elaboration on this point.) Praise Yah for His sure ability to accomplish that which He has promised!

The scriptural teachings of indignation and judgment have now been firmly established as the preparatory teachings, apart from which there is no ability to clearly see the evangel which will resolve the issues Paul discusses. We are, very soon, going to dwell on this evangel in full force. Yet before we do, we must field some necessary objections by the religious zealot, who is yet fighting for the idea that their actions finalize God’s work, meanwhile operating through some sort of independent means apart from Him. When these objections are met, the way will be paved for a full presentation of the evangel of God.

- GerudoKing