Ephesians 2:11
Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands—
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Paul uses the term "in the flesh" twice in this verse, first to describe Gentiles and then to describe circumcision, subtly highlighting that both are physical, outward realities. He intentionally frames "circumcision" as something "made by hands," stripping away any inherent spiritual superiority and revealing it as merely an external marker.
Paul urges the Ephesians to remember their former identity as Gentiles, physically marked by uncircumcision and looked down upon by Jews who proudly called themselves "the Circumcision." This stark contrast highlights how God's grace has broken down barriers, bringing those once considered outsiders into His covenant community.
Imagine being defined by what you lack, a constant reminder of being outside the circle. That was the reality for Gentiles in Paul's day.
Paul reminds the Ephesians that they were once identified by a term that highlighted their exclusion: "the uncircumcision." This wasn't just a neutral description; it was a loaded label used by the Jews (who called themselves "the circumcision") to signify those outside God's covenant people. This physical distinction, circumcision 'in the flesh made by hands,' became a symbol of spiritual separation and, for many Jews, a badge of superiority over the Gentiles.
Think about it: the Jewish people had a covenant sign, a mark of belonging. The Gentiles, lacking this mark, were labeled by its absence. This label served to reinforce the idea that they were 'outsiders,' distant from God's promises and privileges. Paul uses this stark contrast to underscore the radical shift that God's grace brought about in their lives.
Paul grounds this identity in something tangible, something visible and physical. What does 'in the flesh' truly signify here?
When Paul speaks of Gentiles being "in the flesh" and their corresponding label of "uncircumcision," he's pointing to a physical, outward reality. This phrase isn't about the unregenerate state of sin (though that was also true of them), but specifically about their physical condition as non-Jews, marked by the absence of physical circumcision. The Jews, on the other hand, were identified by "the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands"—an outward, man-made ritual.
This emphasis on the physical highlights the stark division that existed. For the Jews, circumcision was a sign of their covenant relationship with God, a ritual performed by human hands. By contrast, the Gentiles, lacking this mark, were simply 'Gentiles in the flesh,' defined by what they didn't have in a physical sense. Paul is reminding them of their former identity as those who were physically outside the visible community of God's people, emphasizing the external nature of this distinction.
Understand the original words
ethnē · Greek Noun
A term used by Jews to refer to non-Jewish nations, often signifying those outside the covenant community of God, though in the New Testament it refers to those now brought into the family of God through faith in Christ.
peritomē · Greek Noun
The act of cutting off the foreskin, serving as the sign of the covenant between God and Abraham; in this context, it refers to the physical mark of Jewish identity.
Paul reminds the Gentile believers in Ephesus of their past status as 'the uncircumcision,' a term of contempt used by the Jews who prided themselves on physical circumcision, highlighting the radical grace of God in including them in His covenant.
c. 1446 BC
Circumcision Instituted for Israel
God institutes circumcision as a sign of the covenant with Abraham's descendants. This physical mark becomes a defining characteristic of the Jewish people and their relationship with God.
c. 8th century BC
Prophets Condemn Empty Ritual
Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah speak out against mere physical circumcision, emphasizing that true covenant with God requires an inner transformation of the heart.
c. 1st century AD— this verse
Pharisaic Emphasis on External Rite
During Jesus' time and the early church, many Jewish leaders (Pharisees) stressed the importance of physical circumcision as a marker of belonging to God's chosen people, often looking down on Gentiles.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry and Crucifixion
Jesus fulfills God's plan, and his death and resurrection begin to break down barriers between Jews and Gentiles, though the full implications take time to unfold.
This passage powerfully contrasts the outward sign of circumcision with the inward reality of a changed heart, directly paralleling the distinction Paul makes in Ephesians between physical circumcision and a deeper spiritual state.
Philippians 3:3Paul here dismisses reliance on outward religious distinctions, including circumcision 'in the flesh,' aligning with Ephesians' emphasis on the inadequacy of such physical markers for true spiritual identity.
Colossians 2:11This verse speaks of a 'circumcision of Christ, not done by human hands,' echoing the 'circumcision in the flesh by hands' mentioned in Ephesians and highlighting the superior spiritual reality.
Galatians 3:28This verse declares that in Christ there is no longer Jew or Gentile, male or female, breaking down the very divisions that Paul addresses in Ephesians regarding the separation between Jews and Gentiles based on physical distinctions.
Deuteronomy 10:16This Old Testament passage commands the Israelites to 'circumcise the foreskin of your heart,' providing an earlier foundation for the concept of an inward, spiritual circumcision that transcends the physical rite mentioned in Ephesians.
vincentEphesians 2:11: "Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;"
Uncircumcision - circumcisionAbstract for concrete terms, the uncircumcised and circumcised.Which is calledNotice the irony, giving back the called of the circumcised.
bengelEphesians 2:11: "Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;"
Ephesians 2:11 . Μνημονεύετε , remember ) Such remembrance sharpens gratitude and strengthens faith, Ephesians 2:19 .— τὰ ἔθνη ) הגוים , the Gentiles. ἐν σαρκὶ , in the flesh) Paul purposely joins this expression with Gentiles, for the Jews simply called the Gentiles the uncircumcision, not the uncircumcision i…
Paul uses the term "in the flesh" twice in this verse, first to describe Gentiles and then to describe circumcision, subtly highlighting that both are physical, outward realities. He intentionally frames "circumcision" as something "made by hands," stripping away any inherent spiritual superiority and revealing it as merely an external marker.
Paul urges the Ephesians to remember their former identity as Gentiles, physically marked by uncircumcision and looked down upon by Jews who proudly called themselves "the Circumcision." This stark contrast highlights how God's grace has broken down barriers, bringing those once considered outsiders into His covenant community.
Paul urges the Ephesians to remember their former identity as Gentiles, physically marked by uncircumcision and looked down upon by Jews who proudly called themselves "the Circumcision." This stark contrast highlights how God's grace has broken down barriers, bringing those once considered outsiders into His covenant community.
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Paul begins with a strong command: 'Remember!' Why is looking back at a past identity so crucial for present faith?
The very first word, 'Therefore, remember,' sets the tone and purpose for this entire section. Paul isn't just recounting history; he's calling the Ephesian believers to actively recall their former state. The reason is profound: to cultivate deep gratitude and a stronger faith. By vividly remembering their past identity as excluded Gentiles, contrasted with their present reality as included members of God's household, they could better grasp the immense, unmerited grace that had transformed them.
This act of remembering serves several vital functions: it humbles them by showing their former alienation, it magnifies God's power in bringing them near, and it reinforces the sheer goodness of His grace. It moves them from a passive acceptance of their current status to an active, thankful appreciation of what God has done. It's a reminder that their inclusion wasn't earned but freely given.
c. AD 40s-50s
Apostolic Council on Gentile Inclusion
The Jerusalem Council addresses the issue of whether Gentile converts need to be circumcised, ultimately affirming that salvation comes through faith in Christ, not physical rites.
"Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands—" — Paul uses the term "in the flesh" twice in this verse, first to describe Gentiles and then to describe circumcision, subtly highlighting that both are physical, outward realities. He intentionally fr…
