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Romans 2:28-29 "For he is not a real Jew who is one outwardly, nor is true circumcision something external and physical. He is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart, spiritual and not literal. His praise is not from men but from God."

 

Faith is a matter of the heart. We can have all the outward signs of holiness, but still not be "getting" it; we can think about God's Word, debate it, write about it, but still not be feeling it in our hearts. This does not necessarily make us hypocrites, although hypocrites do make a performance of outward signs of faith. Rather, It might mean we are trying, striving, doing the outward things and pondering God's word internally while we wait for the Holy Spirit to "kindle in us the fire of His love."

 

For some, the outward signs of faith are the path to that fire being kindled. Others, like Paul, get the grace of sudden revelation. Either way is a leads to God. Paul is not criticizing circumcision here, nor any outward sign of faith. He is saying one can be circumcised but still not have faith in his heart, and one can be uncircumcised and be on fire for God. The outward signs are not nearly as important as what is in our hearts, but if they help us find our way to God, that is always a good thing.