For it is we who are the circumcision…
Summary: Understanding what Paul means by “we who are the circumcision” requires a brief look back at the history of the Bible.
In the Old Testament, circumcision was given by God to Abraham and every male that was with him (Genesis 17:10). When we talk about circumcision of the flesh in the Old Testament sense, we are talking about something that is uniquely male. Interestingly, when we talk about circumcision in the New Testament sense, it can apply to both men and women.
Why?
In the New Testament, circumcision is a matter of the heart.
The Bible uniquely records the failures and shortcomings of its people with unflinching honesty.* Throughout the course of Jewish history, they have been, for the most part, “stiff-necked” towards God (Deuteronomy 10:16). In their pride, they turned away from God time and time again.
Each time God called them back. Sometimes he used a carrot, other times he used a stick. Eventually, the nation of Israel was reduced to existing as a client state under Roman rule. When Jesus was crucified, it was the Romans who carried out the execution.
After Jesus returned, something new happened (Matthew 9:16-17). By his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus fulfilled the Law perfectly (Matthew 5:17). At the moment of his death, the thick woven curtain that separated the Holy of Holies from the world was torn in two (Mark 15:37-39). In this way, God marked the end of the Old and the beginning of the New.
So what was the Old and what is the New?
The answer to this question is, “Many things!” But for the sake of our meditation here, it is enough to understand that circumcision of the flesh was a requirement of the Old, but not the New. In its place, God expected something more personal: circumcision of the heart (Romans 2:29).
This is why Paul says, “Circumcision† is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts.” (1 Corinthians 7:19)
And which commands are those? If the old covenant has been fulfilled by Jesus’ death and resurrection, what does God require of believers under the new covenant?
When a heart is circumcised, there is no pretense or pride. All that is left is love, and that, coincidentally, is all that God commands us to do (Matthew 22:37-40).
Application: Practice loving God above all else and our neighbors as ourselves.
Food for Thought: Why was the requirement for circumcision so important to the Jews of Paul’s day?
*This fact alone is a powerful testimony to the reality of God and the validity of God’s Word.
†In this passage, Paul is referring to the circumcision of the flesh.
Genesis 17: 9 – 14: God also said to Abraham, “You must keep My covenant—you and your descendants in the generations after you. 10This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, which you are to keep: Every male among you must be circumcised. 11You are to circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and this will be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. 12Generation after generation, every male must be circumcised when he is eight days old, including those born in your household and those purchased from a foreigner—even those who are not your offspring. 13Whether they are born in your household or purchased, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh will be an everlasting covenant.14But if any male is not circumcised, he will be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.”
Circumcision was a sign of a covenant made between God and the Jews. They understandably saw this as vital to their identity as God followers. Kind of like the wedding ring being an important symbol of the marriage covenant and the vows that were made.
It also identified them as a community. It was a symbol of being a real Jew and set them apart from the other communities in the world.
So it was an integral part of their identity. The problem is it became a work that replaces faith and trust when faith and trust were a prerequisite. They understandably saw Jews tended to be good at sacrificing but bad at obedience. Their lip service was not backed by a heart devoted to the Lord.
Isaiah 1: 2 – 20: Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth!
For the Lord has spoken:
“I reared children and brought them up,
but they have rebelled against me.
3The ox knows its master,
the donkey its owner’s manger,
but Israel does not know,
my people do not understand.”
4Woe to the sinful nation,
a people whose guilt is great,
a brood of evildoers,
children given to corruption!
They have forsaken the Lord;
they have spurned the Holy One of Israel
and turned their backs on him.
5Why should you be beaten anymore?
Why do you persist in rebellion?
Your whole head is injured,
your whole heart afflicted.
6From the sole of your foot to the top of your head
there is no soundness—
only wounds and welts
and open sores,
not cleansed or bandaged
or soothed with olive oil.
7Your country is desolate,
your cities burned with fire;
your fields are being stripped by foreigners
right before you,
laid waste as when overthrown by strangers.
8Daughter Zion is left
like a shelter in a vineyard,
like a hut in a cucumber field,
like a city under siege.
9Unless the Lord Almighty
had left us some survivors,
we would have become like Sodom,
we would have been like Gomorrah.
10Hear the word of the Lord,
you rulers of Sodom;
listen to the instruction of our God,
you people of Gomorrah!
11“The multitude of your sacrifices—
what are they to me?” says the Lord.
“I have more than enough of burnt offerings,
of rams and the fat of fattened animals;
I have no pleasure
in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.
12When you come to appear before me,
who has asked this of you,
this trampling of my courts?
13Stop bringing meaningless offerings!
Your incense is detestable to me.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—
I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.
14Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals
I hate with all my being.
They have become a burden to me;
I am weary of bearing them.
15When you spread out your hands in prayer,
I hide my eyes from you;
even when you offer many prayers,
I am not listening.
Your hands are full of blood!
16Wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds out of my sight;
stop doing wrong.
17Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed. a
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow.
18“Come now, let us settle the matter,”
says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.
19If you are willing and obedient,
you will eat the good things of the land;
20but if you resist and rebel,
you will be devoured by the sword.”
1 Samuel 15: 22 – 23: But Samuel replied:
“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as much as in obeying the Lord?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
23For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
he has rejected you as king.”
Thank you, Rich!
You remind us of the importance of community. The community of Jews was not disbanded at the crucifixion of Jesus, they were fulfilled. So yes, this is an important point.
Your point about the wedding ring symbolizing a marriage covenant is interesting, too. Unfortunately, when the groom finally arrived for his bride … well, you know the story.
Yet, God redeems not only a select few for his Son’s bride, but all of humanity who choose to believe. So maybe in that sense, the “ring” you referred to was an engagement ring and the true wedding ring is a circumcised heart.
Good devotion this morning, and Rich really answered the question well.
The only thing I think I could add is that circumcision was a marker for conversion to Judaism. So Gentile proselytes had to be circumcised to be officially recognized as Jews within the community. It actually makes sense to me that the Jewish people who confessed Christ as Lord may have identified with Jesus coming from the Jewish nation, and therefore viewed the Gentiles as “coming over” rather than as “everyone submits to Christ,” leaving behind their worldly identities and identifying with His.
Romans 10:11-13 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
People still identify today with tradition, culture, and circumstances that are not a part of the identity of Christ. Our identity in Christ is Him living inside us, our obedience to Him, and His faithfulness in our lives. So, I believe what Paul wrote on circumcision is as important today as they were in his day.
Thank you, Chris.
Well said!