Colossians 2:11
In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The core idea here is that the spiritual "circumcision" believers receive in Christ is a radical removal of their sinful nature, not just a physical ritual. It's about completely shedding the "body of flesh" – the old, sin-dominated self – which is a far more profound transformation than the Old Testament rite could ever signify.
Paul is addressing a situation where false teachers are trying to force Jewish customs, like circumcision, onto Gentile believers, essentially diluting the completeness found in Christ. He's countering this by explaining that true spiritual circumcision—a profound inner transformation—has already been accomplished for believers in Christ, making the outward ritual unnecessary and even contradictory. This spiritual cutting away of the sinful nature is directly linked to Christ's work and is far superior to any human-imposed ritual.
The Apostle Paul is talking about a profound spiritual transformation, not just a physical ritual. What did this 'circumcision of the heart' truly involve for believers?
Paul contrasts the physical circumcision required by the Jewish law with a spiritual circumcision that believers receive 'in Christ'. While physical circumcision was a mark on the body, the spiritual circumcision is an internal work of God, a 'circumcision made without hands'. It signifies a radical change, a 'putting off of the body of the flesh'. This isn't about removing a part of the body, but about the renunciation and removal of the sinful nature, the desires and actions that stem from our unregenerate selves. It's about being made new from the inside out, a reality accomplished through Christ's work and received by faith.
The imagery Paul uses is intense – a complete stripping away. What does this profound act of 'putting off' truly mean for our lives as Christians?
The phrase 'putting off the body of the sins of the flesh' is a powerful metaphor. It's not a partial removal, but a complete divestment, like taking off old, soiled garments. This signifies a decisive break from the sinful nature and its desires. It means renouncing the old way of life, the actions and attitudes that belonged to the 'old man' before encountering Christ. This spiritual 'stripping' is accomplished through the 'circumcision of Christ,' meaning it's through His work and the power He imparts. It's a declaration of war on sin, a commitment to live a life set apart, free from the dominion of fleshly desires.
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Understand the original words
peritomē · Greek Noun
The sign of the covenant between God and the nation of Israel. Spiritually, it signifies the removal of the old nature and dedication to God.
sarx · Greek Noun
Refers to the sinful nature or the fallen human condition that is alienated from God and prone to rebellion.
The historical context highlights a tension between the outward, physical sign of circumcision established in the Old Testament and the inward, spiritual reality that Paul asserts believers experience through Christ. This verse speaks to a time when the very meaning of covenant signs was being debated, contrasting the ritualistic traditions of men with the profound spiritual transformation accomplished by Christ.
c. 1446 BC
Circumcision Instituted
God commands Abraham to circumcise all males in his household, establishing it as a sign of the covenant between God and his descendants. This physical mark symbolized a spiritual reality of separation unto God.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem, destroying the Temple and exiling many Judeans. This event marked a profound crisis for Jewish identity and religious practice, leading to reflection on the meaning of their covenant signs.
c. 4 BC - c. AD 30/33
Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ
Jesus, the Messiah, lives and teaches, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies. His life, death, and resurrection offer a new covenant and a spiritual reality that transcends physical rituals.
c. AD 40s
Apostle Paul's Ministry Begins
Paul begins his missionary journeys, preaching the gospel of Christ, including the message that salvation and spiritual transformation come through faith in Christ, not through adherence to the Mosaic Law, such as circumcision.
c. AD 60-62— this verse
Paul Writes to the Colossians
From prison, Paul writes to the church in Colossae, warning them against false teachers who blend pagan philosophy and legalistic practices with the gospel. He emphasizes Christ's sufficiency and the spiritual realities believers have received in Him.
This passage calls for the Israelites to 'circumcise the foreskin of your heart,' emphasizing an inner, spiritual transformation over a physical one, paralleling the 'circumcision of Christ' that deals with the 'body of flesh.'
Romans 2:28-29Paul argues that true circumcision is not outward but inward, a matter of the spirit, directly echoing the theme of the 'circumcision made without hands' described in Colossians.
Galatians 5:24This verse speaks of 'crucifying the flesh with its passions and desires,' which aligns with the Colossian concept of 'putting off the body of the sins of the flesh' through Christ's spiritual work.
Philippians 3:3Here, Paul contrasts those who 'put their confidence in the flesh' with believers who 'worship God in the Spirit and glory in Christ Jesus,' reflecting the shift from physical circumcision to spiritual reality in Christ.
Colossians 3:9-10Paul urges believers to 'put off the old self with its practices and put on the new self,' which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator, mirroring the 'putting off the body of the flesh' by a transformation initiated by Christ.
barnesColossians 2:11: "In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:"
In whom - In connection with whom, or in virtue of whose religion. Ye are circumcised - You have received that which was designed to be represented by circumcision - the putting away of sin; Notes, Philippians 3:3. With the circumcision made without hands - That made in the heart by the renunciation of all sin. The Jewish te…
meyerColossians 2:11: "In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:"
Colossians 2:11 . Respecting the connection and its reference to the false teachers, so far as they “Iegem evangelio miscebant” (Calvin), see on Colossians 2:10 . ἐν ᾧ ] like ἐν αὐτῷ in Colossians 2:10 : on whom it also causally depends that ye, etc. This applies to the point of time of their entrance into the union with Chr…
The core idea here is that the spiritual "circumcision" believers receive in Christ is a radical removal of their sinful nature, not just a physical ritual. It's about completely shedding the "body of flesh" – the old, sin-dominated self – which is a far more profound transformation than the Old Testament rite could ever signify.
Paul is addressing a situation where false teachers are trying to force Jewish customs, like circumcision, onto Gentile believers, essentially diluting the completeness found in Christ. He's countering this by explaining that true spiritual circumcision—a profound inner transformation—has already been accomplished for believers in Christ, making the outward ritual unnecessary and even contradictory. This spiritual cutting away of the sinful nature is directly linked to Christ's work and is far superior to any human-imposed ritual.
Paul is addressing a situation where false teachers are trying to force Jewish customs, like circumcision, onto Gentile believers, essentially diluting the completeness found in Christ. He's countering this by explaining that true spiritual circumcision—a profound inner transformation—has already been accomplished for believers in Christ, making the outward ritual unnecessary and even contradictory. This spiritual cutting away of the sinful nature is directly linked to Christ's work and is far superior to any human-imposed ritual.
"In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ," — The core idea here is that the spiritual "circumcision" believers receive in Christ is a radical removal of their sinful nature, not just a physical ritual. It's about completely shedding the "body o…
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