For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.
Summary: Paul continues to prompt interesting questions about Christian life. “What has value for God?” is a question that opens the door to understanding God’s will better.
Paul’s statement that circumcision has no value in Christ prompts the question, “What does Christ value?” Since we know that Jesus and God are one (John 10:30), it follows that whatever God wants, Jesus wants.
The first thing that comes to mind is Jesus’ summation of “the law and the prophets,” the Greatest Commandments:
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22: 37-40)
It is my impression that everything else flows out of these two commandments.
The core element of each commandment is love. In both cases, the Greek word used is, “agapaō,” a form of “agapé.” This kind of love puts others above self, is fond of others, and wants what is best for them.
Paul defines this word in detail this way:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
God wants us to love as he loves.
I sometimes hear people draw a comparison between the “Old Testament God” and the “New Testament God.” They seem to think they are different gods because the God of the Old Testament is so judgmental. I disagree. God’s love is manifest throughout the Bible. The change in God’s behavior is not because he is different, but because he became a man and died on the cross. That changed everything.
What has value for God?
Agapé love. Caring for God and caring for others.
The people in Paul’s day who were pushing the idea that believers needed to be circumcised were probably sincere. They may have believed that “caring for others” meant drawing them into their theology. (This happens even today!)
This is why Jesus taught, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3). Caring for others by telling them how to live their lives is dangerous. It is not the kind of “love” God commanded of us. God gives each of us a life of our own to be responsible for. That is more than enough.
Application: Love as God loves.
Food for Thought: If circumcision and uncircumcision have no value for Jesus, why is Paul so agitated about believers getting circumcised?
Paul is agitated that people were teaching that faith in Christ was not enough. They were adding circumcision, along with the Mosaic Law, to the sacrifice of Christ. Really, when I think about it, I get this sense that they were adding Christ to the Mosaic Law. That diminishes the sacrifice of Christ, and ignores the complete change in the relationship between God and mankind.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
“so that no one may boast” stick out in my mind. If someone where to ask “Are you a Christian?”; what is the answer? If the answer is “yes, I go to church; yes, I tithe; yes, I read my Bible” then these are boastings. Yes, these are common attributes of a Christian, but they are not what make us Christians. Faith in Christ, making Him Lord of our life, obedience to Him; these are what distinguish us as Christians.
Chris,
Very well said! I like your comment that “I get this sense that they were adding Christ to the Mosaic Law.” I also like your point about boasting. So true!
Well said CH.
If circumcision and uncircumcision have no value for Jesus, why is Paul so agitated about believers getting circumcised?
As CH writes.
Paul understood OT circumcision was commanded by God as an outward sign of an inner condition of His people, Genesis 17:1-14.
Paul also writes of a circumcision of the heart, a spiritual circumcision. This circumcision, rather than cutting off a small part of the flesh, is a cutting off of the fleshly nature.
Romans 2:28-29, Philippians 3:3, Colossians 2:11
Jesus Gave His life on the cross so His people can receive His salvation, a spiritual circumcision of our hearts, by faith.
Those supporting an additional physical circumcision negates our salvation through Christ alone as it requires an additional requirement.
Thanks Ron!
Well summarized!