Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.
Summary: Paul’s statement about circumcision seems a bit over the top. Fortunately, we have lots of context to help us understand Paul’s meaning.
This passage seems to me to be very complicated.
Being a bit OCD, I tend to take things literally. Of course, much of the Bible is figurative, not literal, so I have to stay on my metaphorical toes. But today’s passage is not figurative, or metaphorical. Paul is making a very clear statement; clear and serious.
If Christ is “of no value to you at all,” I take that to mean that a person has no hope of salvation. After all, Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) If a person doesn’t have access to “the way and the truth and the life,” they ain’t got nuthin’.
So what makes this complicated?
The first complication is that Paul’s letter was sent after the problem of circumcision had already become an issue at the Galatians churches. This means that, most likely, some, if not most, of the Galatian men had been circumcised already.
Second, in Acts, chapter sixteen, Luke records Paul meeting Timothy in Lystra. The text tells us that because Timothy’s father was a Greek, Paul decided to have him circumcised (Acts 16:1-3). Does this mean that Christ is of “no value” to Timothy?
So what is really going on?
Keep in mind that we are both physical and spiritual beings. In Paul’s letter to Rome, he writes that circumcision is not “merely outward and physical” (Romans 2:28). Several Old Testament passages affirm what Paul is saying. In Deuteronomy 10:16, God says, “Circumcise your hearts … .” Jeremiah echoes this command in Jeremiah 4:4, where God repeats these exact words.
Paul even seems to contradict himself when he writes, “Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation” (Galatians 6:15).
Is that what Paul is doing? Does he contradict himself?
Given the context of the passage where Paul has been helping us understand the difference between living as slaves to the law and children of the King, I suspect Paul’s intent was couched in terms of relying on circumcision as a way of ensuring salvation. That certainly fits with what he has been saying in this letter.
Application: Consider what it means to circumcise our hearts.
Food for Thought: What happens when a person circumcises their heart?
I think that is a bit of a tricky question. I would like to put some initial context into my response.
Circumcision of the body is a one-time act, but the purpose of circumcision of the body is a physical manifestation of the continual dedication of the heart. Likewise, to use the term “circumcise the heart,” means not a one-time act, such as an initial profession of faith in Christ, but a continual act, making Christ the Lord of our life by making Him Lord of our decisions and actions. Searching our thoughts and desires and holding them captive for Him.
Romans 2:14-16 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
What happens when a person circumcises their heart?
They are putting God above all things. Putting God above all things allows Him to speak to their heart, guide them with His Holy Spirit and His Word, they can act according to His Will, and they can become more Christ-like. To be Christ-like is to have a type of love in their hearts that is selfless. In selfless love one is able to love God first, and their neighbor as themselves. It sounds a bit paradoxical, but I believe it describes more the “transformation of the mind” and “the increasing of faith.” Like a tree that needs water to grow, continual circumcision of the heart would be like a tree recognizing that it’s roots are grounded and tapped into the pure water, and it continually seeks that pure water.
Great thoughts, Chris!
“Putting God above all things” is a great way to sum up what it means to have a circumcised heart!
Simply put, circumcision of the heart refers to inner, spiritual transformation rather than an outward physical manifestation.
Romans 2: 28 – 29: A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.
Rich
Simply and elegantly put! 🙂
Thank you!
What happens when a person circumcises their heart?
Romans 2:28-29, For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, and true circumcision is not something visible in the flesh. 29 On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart—by the Spirit, not the letter. That man’s praise is not from men but from God.
In at least three passages, Paul writes of a circumcision of the heart, a spiritual circumcision. In Romans 2:28-29, Philippians 3:3 and Colossians 2:11 he writes of this spiritual circumcision which rather than cutting off a small part of the flesh, is a cutting off of the fleshly nature.
Colossians 2:11 illustrates this circumcision. “In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ.” This circumcision is not done by human hands but by Christ. And it is not just males. All believers have experienced this circumcision of the heart by Christ.
As believers we are no longer dominated by our flesh, human nature. Christ has come into our hearts, become the power to die to our flesh, “self” and live life, spiritually empowered by the power of Christ. Our flesh becomes the instrument used by Jesus to minister, as He desires to those around us.
Thank you, Ron!
I like your statement that the circumcision of the heart is “cutting off of the fleshly nature.” Well said!