Ephesians 2:11-12
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Paul reminds the Ephesians that their Gentile identity was marked by a physical distinction—or lack thereof—that set them apart. The terms "uncircumcision" and "circumcision" were more than just labels; they represented deeply ingrained cultural and religious divisions, with "circumcision" being a man-made ritual that Jews used to define themselves and exclude others.
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— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul reminds the Ephesians of their former status as Gentiles, separated from God's people and labeled by the Jews as "uncircumcision." This distinction was rooted in the physical act of circumcision, which the Jews considered a mark of their covenant, while the Gentiles lacked it.
Paul uses the word 'called' twice in this verse, linking the identity of Gentiles and Jews to specific labels. What's the significance of these labels, and how does Paul reframe them?
Paul highlights the labels 'Uncircumcision' (applied to Gentiles) and 'Circumcision' (applied to Jews). These weren't just descriptive terms; they carried deep social and religious weight, marking who was 'in' and who was 'out' of God's covenant community.
A Label of Reproach
For Gentiles, being called 'Uncircumcision' was a term of contempt, signifying their exclusion from God's chosen people and the promises He made.
A Label of Privilege (and its Peril)
For Jews, 'Circumcision' was a sign of God's covenant with them, a mark of distinction. However, it could become a source of pride and a purely outward ritual, disconnected from a genuine heart for God.
Paul uses the word 'called' to point out how these labels were assigned by people, not necessarily by God's ultimate decree of worth. He's about to show that in Christ, these human distinctions lose their power.
Paul identifies the Gentiles as being 'in the flesh.' What does this phrase really mean, and how does it set the stage for understanding their former state?
When Paul says the Gentiles were 'in the flesh,' he's not just talking about their physical bodies. He's describing their entire state of being before Christ.
A Life Defined by the Physical
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'In the flesh' refers to a life lived according to human limitations, desires, and understanding, cut off from the direct empowerment and guidance of the Holy Spirit. It’s a state of being oriented around the visible, the material, and the temporal.
The Root of Alienation
This 'fleshly' existence, symbolized by the lack of physical circumcision, meant they were outside the covenant community of Israel. They were, in Paul's terms, 'separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise.' This wasn't just a geographical or cultural separation; it was a spiritual one.
Remembering this state is crucial because it magnifies the incredible grace that brought them (and us) into God's family.
The verse mentions circumcision 'made in the flesh by hands.' What's the significance of this phrase, and how does it contrast with a deeper, spiritual reality?
Paul makes a crucial distinction between an outward religious act and its spiritual meaning. The circumcision the Jews prided themselves on was a physical act performed by human hands.
An External Marker
This physical circumcision was a visible sign, a humanly administered rite. It marked people as descendants of Abraham and part of the covenant people of Israel.
The Missing Heart Connection
However, Paul and other Scripture writers emphasize that this external rite, when disconnected from a transformed heart, was ultimately meaningless. It didn't automatically confer spiritual status or guarantee a right relationship with God.
God's True Circumcision
The true 'circumcision' is spiritual – a work of God within the heart, removing sin and setting a person apart for Him. Paul contrasts the 'circumcision made in the flesh by hands' with this deeper, inward reality. This distinction is vital for understanding that salvation and true belonging come from God's work, not human rituals.
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.
Christos · Greek Noun
The Messiah; the Anointed One of God. He is the mediator between God and humanity and the source of salvation and reconciliation for both Jew and Gentile.
apallotriothenēs · Greek Adjective/Participle
The status of being excluded from the community, rights, and covenantal benefits that God granted to His chosen people, Israel.
politeia · Greek Noun
The corporate identity of God’s people in the Old Testament, set apart by covenant, law, and the presence of God to represent Him to the world.
diathēkai · Greek Noun
The sacred promises and legal agreements God made with humanity (such as with Abraham and Moses) that define His relationship with His people and reveal His plan of salvation.
Paul reminds the Gentile believers in Ephesus of their former status as 'outsiders' in relation to God's covenant people. This helps them grasp the profound grace of their inclusion and the radical unity Christ established between Jews and Gentiles, dismantling the 'dividing wall of hostility' that had separated them for centuries.
c. 1446 BC
Circumcision Instituted
God commands Abraham to institute circumcision as a sign of His covenant with him and his descendants, marking them as His chosen people.
Late 8th century BC
Prophecy of Gentile Inclusion
Prophets like Isaiah speak of a future time when Gentiles will turn to God and be included among His people, hinting at a broader scope beyond ethnic Israel.
c. 2nd century BC - 1st century AD
Growing Jewish-Gentile Divide
During this period, strict interpretations of the Law and cultural distinctiveness often led to significant social and religious separation between Jews and Gentiles.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry and Great Commission
Jesus' life, death, and resurrection lay the foundation for salvation for all who believe. The Great Commission calls for the gospel to be preached to all nations.
c. AD 48-49
Council of Jerusalem
A pivotal council determines that Gentiles do not need to be circumcised to become Christians, affirming their equal standing with Jewish believers.
c. AD 60-62— this verse
Paul Writes Ephesians
Writing from prison, Paul explains the nature of the Church as a unified body of both Jews and Gentiles, highlighting their new identity in Christ and dismantling former barriers.
This passage describes the institution of circumcision as a physical sign of God's covenant with Abraham and his descendants, establishing the 'circumcision' the Gentiles in Ephesians 2:11 are contrasted with.
Deuteronomy 23:3This verse explicitly states that an Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter the assembly of the LORD, 'even to the tenth generation,' highlighting the historical separation and exclusion felt by 'the nations' (Gentiles) from the people of God, which Paul references here.
Romans 2:28-29Paul directly contrasts outward, physical circumcision ('in the flesh made by hands') with the inward, spiritual circumcision of the heart. This passage provides the theological framework for understanding Paul's dismissive reference to the physical rite in Ephesians 2:11.
Colossians 2:11This verse echoes the idea of circumcision 'made without hands,' which is the spiritual 'circumcision of Christ.' It further clarifies the distinction Paul makes between a mere physical marker and the true work of God in believers, aligning with the context of Ephesians 2:11.
Acts 10:34-35Peter's declaration that 'God shows no favoritism, but accepts from every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right' demonstrates the theological shift that made it possible for Gentiles, previously considered 'uncircumcision,' to be fully welcomed into God's people.
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 reminds the Ephesians that their Gentile identity was marked by a physical distinction—or lack thereof—that set them apart. The terms "uncircumcision" and "circumcision" were more than just labels; they represented deeply ingrained cultural and religious divisions, with "circumcision" being a man-made ritual that Jews used to define themselves and exclude others.
Paul reminds the Ephesians of their former status as Gentiles, separated from God's people and labeled by the Jews as "uncircumcision." This distinction was rooted in the physical act of circumcision, which the Jews considered a mark of their covenant, while the Gentiles lacked it.
Paul reminds the Ephesians of their former status as Gentiles, separated from God's people and labeled by the Jews as "uncircumcision." This distinction was rooted in the physical act of circumcision, which the Jews considered a mark of their covenant, while the Gentiles lacked it.
"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— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from t…" — Paul reminds the Ephesians that their Gentile identity was marked by a physical distinction—or lack thereof—that set them apart. The terms "uncircumcision" and "circumcision" were more than just labe…
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Last reviewed October 2026
