ἐν πνεύματι οὐ γράμματι: "by the Spirit, not by the written code"

Says 2:28–29 is elliptical: ἐστιν must be supplied in three clauses. The BSB fills the gaps: "A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly … a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly."

Implies ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ recalls τὰ κρυπτὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων (2:16): God judges what is hidden.

Says οὗ ὁ ἔπαινος οὐκ ἐξ ἀνθρώπων ἀλλ᾽ ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ says that his praise (Abbott-Smith: ἔπαινος, "praise," Rom 2:29) comes from God, not from people.

Uncertain Whether ἔπαινος plays on the name Judah, linked with praise in Gen 29:35; Paul gives no marker (see note.language.Rom.2.29.judah-praise).

Says Abbott-Smith puts γράμμα at Rom 2:27, 29 under "the written word as an external authority in contrast with the direct influence of the Spirit." He lists πνεῦμα at Rom 2:29 (with 7:6; 2 Cor 3:6) as "effected or governed by the Spirit, opp. to γράμμα."

Implies γράμμα is the law as written code, possessed outwardly but powerless to produce obedience (7:6; 2 Cor 3:6), not a literal sense of Scripture opposed to an allegorical one.

Uncertain What πνεῦμα refers to (L22(a)). (a) The Holy Spirit. Paul's other πνεῦμα/γράμμα contrasts concern the Spirit (7:6; 2 Cor 3:6), and Phil 3:3 joins "the circumcision" with those who worship πνεύματι θεοῦ. (b) The human spirit or the inward sphere, matching ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ. This note leans to (a); (b) is the main alternative. Whether "Jew" here includes Gentile believers or means Jewish believers is left open (L22(a)).