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 …
Summary: Paul resorts to a metaphor that ties in his arguments about circumcision with spiritual truths that we cannot see with human eyes.
I have to confess that I find circumcision a rather awkward topic for discussion. However, since Paul has mentioned it and provided a handy description, we will go with that!
In this passage, Paul equates circumcision to putting off our “whole self ruled by the flesh.”
I wish it were that easy!
Anyone who has accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior knows that the desires of the flesh don’t disappear. Paul himself, admits this in his letter to the church in Rome (Romans 7:21-25).
So what is Paul talking about?
First, it seems clear to me that he is speaking metaphorically. The metaphor is circumcision. If he were speaking of something physical, he would be able to describe it using adjectives like size and color, function, and fit. But it is not physical. Paul is describing something spiritual.
Before accepting Jesus as Lord, our “lord” is our flesh. Whatever we think we need or want is what we have to have. Our passions of the moment are more important than any possible consequences that might come later. This is all we can do because this is all we know.
Until we know Jesus!
Then, everything changes… sorta.
When Paul says, “Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ…” he is referring to the process of being “born again” that Jesus talks about (John 3:3). Spiritually, something miraculous happens when we believe.
Because it is invisible, Paul uses a metaphor to describe it. The old self is “put off,” and the new is “born again.” We are still aware of the flesh. We still struggle as we choose, moment by moment, to keep our eyes on Jesus. When we are surrounded by shiny objects vying for attention, this can be hard. Yet we try because Jesus is in us.
What God sees is different. God knows we struggle, and he understands temptation. Yet, because Jesus paid for our sins on the cross, God doesn’t “see” us as sinful flesh. He sees us as a new creation, “born again,” as he intended when he first made Adam and Eve.
Application: Accept God’s gift of new life in Him with a grateful heart.
Food for Thought: How does Paul’s metaphor help us to understand what God has accomplished in Jesus?
How does Paul’s metaphor help us to understand what God has accomplished in Jesus?
Genesis 17:10, The practice of circumcision begins with God’s covenant with Abraham, and established a special relationship between God and the people of Israel.
Genesis 17:11, It serves as a visible reminder of God’s promises and the commitment of His people.
Deuteronomy 10:16, This biblical requirement signifies the need for inner transformation and submission to God’s commandments.
Jeremiah 4:4, Circumcision foreshadowed the need for a circumcised heart, one that is transformed and fully committed to God. The foreskin, representing worldly desires and sinful nature, of our flesh needed to be removed for true spiritual growth.
Colossians 2:11-12, Circumcision takes on a symbolic meaning of purification and spiritual rebirth, emphasizing the transformative power of faith.
Philippians 3:3, For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.
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.
The power of the flesh has been removed from all believers who are now transformed into spiritual beings, the process of growing in service for God.
Thank you, Ron!
Great study outline!
Thanks for your devotion and good stuff R2T2. Great Bible passages in R2T2’s comments.
The simplistic, short answer to how this metaphor describes what God has accomplished through Jesus: He has accomplished everything we need to be right in His eyes and be in relationship with Him.
Amen, Rich. Amen! 🙂
Great comments this morning to a great devotional.
One aspect I have begun to understand in greater measure is the setting apart of the decedents of Abraham, with one aspect of that being signified through circumcision, and the correlation of that by Christ through His death and resurrection. When we place our faith in Him, we too are set apart. God has accomplished this in Jesus. We cannot set ourselves apart, it is in God’s grace through Christ that He has redeemed us and set us apart.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
John 17:15-18 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.
Great feedback and verses CH!
Thank you, Chris!
I like your point about being “set apart.” That is a theme that is repeated throughout Scripture and has great significance for us as believers.