A Circumcised Heart

In this passage, the apostle Paul—inspired by the Spirit… demolishes the last argument the religious Jews would’ve had… They were Abraham’s children… The covenant people of God—and the seal of their covenant relationship with God was their CIRCUMCISION… So, why would they need the gospel?
The Jews believed that circumcision was their key to heaven… In his commentary on this passage,

Charles Hodge quotes from the writings of several Rabbis… One of them writes, “God swore to Abraham, that no one who was circumcised should be sent to hell.” (Another Rabbi wrote,) “Abraham sits before the gate of hell, and does not allow that any circumcised Israelite should enter there.”’ – Commentary on Romans, p.63