Feb 21 – Circumcision of the Heart

“²⁵ Circumcision benefits you if you observe the law, but if you are a lawbreaker, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. ²⁶ So if an uncircumcised man keeps the law’s requirements, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? ²⁷ A man who is physically uncircumcised, but who keeps the law, will judge you who are a lawbreaker in spite of having the letter of the law and circumcision. ²⁸ For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, and true circumcision is not something visible in the flesh. ²⁹ On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart — by the Spirit, not the letter. That person’s praise is not from people but from God.”

This section builds off of the theme presented earlier in the chapter: 

“For the hearers of the law are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be justified.” — Romans 2:13

Paul says that even Jews who appear to be following the law and Jewish customs on the outside, through practices such as circumcision, yet do not honor God with their hearts and minds, will be judged by those who do not have Jewish physical appearance but do live in obedience to God. True circumcision is not of the flesh but of the heart. It is true, that in the Abrahamic Covenant, God did require all of the male members of Abraham’s house and Abraham’s male descendants to be circumcised. This was to set them apart from the other nations, serve as the sign of the covenant between God and Abraham, and display their willingness to obey God. (See Genesis 17:9-14)

In the New Covenant, the covenant we have in Jesus Christ, God does not require adherence to the ceremonial law (i.e. circumcision or dietary restrictions), but rather that all people live in obedience to God’s moral law (deny evil and live righteously). In the New Covenant, Christians are set apart by their faith in Christ. In the New Covenant, Christians are distinguished from other people groups by their participation in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection symbolized through baptism. New Covenant circumcision is an attitude. New Covenant circumcision is a mindset that motivates us to glorify God. True circumcision is brought about by the Holy Spirit, not the law. “…circumcision is of the heart — by the Spirit, not the letter.” (v. 29b) 

As far back in the Old Testament as Deuteronomy, God is calling upon the Israelites to practice true circumcision, circumcision of the heart. 

“Yet the Lord had his heart set on your ancestors and loved them. He chose their descendants after them — he chose you out of all the peoples, as it is today. Therefore, circumcise your hearts and don’t be stiff-necked any longer.”  — ‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭10‬:‭15‬-‭16‬

Paul addresses later in Romans 3 that God will justify both Jews and Gentiles, regardless of their physical circumcision, through faith in Jesus Christ. 

“Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.” — ‭‭Romans‬ ‭3‬:‭29‬-‭30‬

In his letter to the Corinthian churches, Paul addresses a similarly mixed group of Jewish and Gentile Christians, explaining that outward adherence to the ceremonial law does not matter in the New Covenant. Rather, to keep God’s commands is what matters. 

“Was anyone already circumcised when he was called? He should not undo his circumcision. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? He should not get circumcised. Circumcision does not matter and uncircumcision does not matter. Keeping God’s commands is what matters.” — ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭7‬:‭18‬-‭19‬

Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, defines what it means to be circumcised in the New Covenant, the covenant we have through faith in Jesus. 

“You were also circumcised in him with a circumcision not done with hands, by putting off the body of flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, when you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made you alive with him and forgave us all our trespasses.” — ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬-‭13‬

The second part of Romans 2:29 is yet another important takeaway for the Christian life. “That person’s praise is not from people but from God.” (v. 29b) We cannot seek the praise of men. The matter of the circumcision of our hearts is between us and God. If we are living for the praise of men, it will distort the outcome of our praise. Paul reminds us and his Corinthian readers that it is approval from the Lord that is what matters.

“So let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. For it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one the Lord commends.” — ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭17‬-‭18‬