Colossians 2:11-13
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The verse isn't just saying Christians receive a spiritual circumcision; it's highlighting that this "putting off the body of the flesh" is the means by which Christ's circumcision is accomplished in us. This means true spiritual circumcision isn't just an external ritual, but an internal reorientation where our whole sinful nature is stripped away through Christ's work.
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, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is arguing against false teachers who are pushing for adherence to Jewish customs and philosophies, claiming they are necessary for spiritual completeness. He's just declared that believers are "complete in Christ," who is the head of all powers. Now, he contrasts the true spiritual reality believers have in Christ with the physical rituals these false teachers emphasize.
The Apostle Paul talks about circumcision, a physical act of cutting flesh. But he quickly pivots to something else entirely. What's this 'circumcision made without hands' all about?
Paul is drawing a powerful contrast. The physical circumcision practiced by Jews was a sign pointing forward to a deeper reality. The false teachers in Colossae were insisting on the outward rite, but Paul clarifies that true circumcision happens internally, through Christ.
A Spiritual Reality
Paul uses striking imagery: 'putting off the body of the flesh.' What exactly is this 'body of the flesh' that needs to be stripped away?
This phrase refers to our old self, dominated by sinful desires and habits. It's not just about individual sins, but the whole 'package' of our unredeemed nature.
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The Core of Corruption
When Paul says we 'put off' this 'body of the flesh,' it signifies a decisive break. Through Christ's work, believers are empowered to renounce and actively reject the power of these sinful desires over their lives. It's a process of spiritual renewal, not a one-time magical disappearance of temptation.
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.
baptisma · Greek Noun
An ordinance signifying the believer's identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. It symbolizes the washing away of sin and the transition from the old life to the new.
pistis · Greek Noun
Trusting in and relying upon the person and work of Jesus Christ; the means by which one receives the benefits of salvation.
nekros · Greek Adjective
A state of spiritual separation from God resulting from sin, rendering a person incapable of self-regeneration.
paraptōma · Greek Noun
A deviation from God's law or a crossing of the line into forbidden territory; a willful act of disobedience against God.
charizomai · Greek Verb
The gracious act of God in pardoning the believer's offenses through the blood of Christ, removing the penalty of sin.
Paul contrasts the physical circumcision demanded by some false teachers with the spiritual circumcision of Christ that believers have already received. This spiritual circumcision is a profound internal transformation, symbolized by baptism, where the sinful nature is put off, not a mere physical rite.
c. 20-18 BC
Herod the Great's Temple Reconstruction
Herod the Great began a massive and costly rebuilding of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. This project aimed to enhance his legitimacy and serve as a major center of Jewish religious life.
c. 4 BC
Death of Herod the Great
The death of Herod the Great led to the division of his kingdom among his sons, causing political instability and unrest within Judea.
c. 27-30 AD
Ministry of Jesus Christ
The public ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which formed the core of the new covenant and the basis for spiritual circumcision.
c. 30-33 AD
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus' death and resurrection, the pivotal events that established the new covenant and provided the foundation for spiritual transformation, superseding Old Testament rituals.
c. 40-60 AD
Early Christian Missions
The apostles, including Paul, spread Christianity throughout the Roman Empire, encountering communities that blended Jewish traditions with Christian beliefs.
c. 62 AD— this verse
Paul writes Colossians
Paul, likely imprisoned in Rome, writes the Epistle to the Colossians to address issues of heresy and to affirm the supremacy of Christ.
This passage speaks of 'circumcision of the heart, in the Spirit,' directly paralleling the 'circumcision made without hands' described in Colossians, emphasizing the inward, spiritual reality over outward ritual.
Philippians 3:3Here, Paul contrasts reliance on outward religious practices like circumcision with the true worship that is 'in the Spirit of God,' which aligns with the 'putting off the body of the flesh' in Colossians.
Deuteronomy 10:16This Old Testament verse calls for 'circumcising the foreskin of your heart,' a direct precursor to Paul's concept of spiritual circumcision, showing that the idea of an inward transformation was present even in earlier Scripture.
Galatians 5:6This verse highlights that 'in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but faith working through love,' reinforcing the Colossians theme that Christ's spiritual work supersedes physical rites.
Colossians 3:5This passage immediately follows the concept by urging believers to 'put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness,' which is the practical outworking of the 'putting off the body of the flesh.'
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 verse isn't just saying Christians receive a spiritual circumcision; it's highlighting that this "putting off the body of the flesh" is the means by which Christ's circumcision is accomplished in us. This means true spiritual circumcision isn't just an external ritual, but an internal reorientation where our whole sinful nature is stripped away through Christ's work.
Paul is arguing against false teachers who are pushing for adherence to Jewish customs and philosophies, claiming they are necessary for spiritual completeness. He's just declared that believers are "complete in Christ," who is the head of all powers. Now, he contrasts the true spiritual reality believers have in Christ with the physical rituals these false teachers emphasize.
Paul is arguing against false teachers who are pushing for adherence to Jewish customs and philosophies, claiming they are necessary for spiritual completeness. He's just declared that believers are "complete in Christ," who is the head of all powers. Now, he contrasts the true spiritual reality believers have in Christ with the physical rituals these false teachers emphasize.
"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, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in t…" — The verse isn't just saying Christians receive a spiritual circumcision; it's highlighting that this "putting off the body of the flesh" is the means by which Christ's circumcision is accomplishe…
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Last reviewed October 2026
