Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  7000 God's people  »  7300 Institutions and culture of OT  »  7334 circumcision  »  7336 circumcision, spiritual

On its own, the physical sign of circumcision is no guarantee of finding favour in the sight of God. It was intended to be the outward sign of inward consecration and should be accompanied by repentance, faith and obedience. Paul stresses that circumcision confers no special privileges upon individuals; it is faith in God, rather than any outward sign, that ensures that believers stand in a right relationship to God.

Physical circumcision has no value without the obedience of the heart

Deuteronomy 30:6 See also Deuteronomy 10:14-16; Jeremiah 4:4

Romans 2:28-29 See also Romans 2:25-27; 1 Corinthians 7:19

Circumcision and faith

Galatians 5:6 See also Romans 3:30

Abraham's righteousness depended on his faith, not on the covenant of circumcision

Galatians 3:6; Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:9-12

Paul values the law as part of God's plan

Romans 3:1-2

The sharp debate about circumcision for Christians

The Council of Jerusalem

Acts 15:1-19

Jewish Christians in Jerusalem criticise Peter for accepting hospitality from Cornelius and his (uncircumcised) friends

Acts 11:1-3

God's acceptance of uncircumcised Gentiles is clear from the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon them

Acts 10:44-46 See also Acts 10:34

Peter's misgivings about Gentile believers and the law

Galatians 2:11-16 the dispute between Paul and Peter

Imposing circumcision upon Gentile Christians denies the freedom of the gospel

Galatians 5:1-6 To insist on circumcision is to nullify the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. See also Galatians 2:3-5; Galatians 3:14

“Judaisers” should be resisted

Galatians 5:7-12; Galatians 6:12-13,15; Philippians 3:2-3; Titus 1:10-11

To be “in Christ” is to be spiritually circumcised

Colossians 2:11-12 See also Colossians 3:11

Paul's confidence in Jesus Christ

Philippians 3:4-9

The relationship between baptism and circumcision in the NT

Colossians 2:11-13 Both circumcision and baptism may each be described as a “seal”. Baptism signifies entry into the new covenant in the same way that circumcision marked initiation into the old; Romans 4:11 Abraham the father of all believers; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13

See also

2321  Christ as redeemer
3287  Holy Spirit, sealing of
6658  freedom
7908  baptism, significance
8020  faith
8154  righteousness
8207  commitment
8218  consecration
8239  earnestness
8453  obedience