Ask a Pastor Column

Q: Does circumcision in the Bible ever refer to something besides the ritual itself?

A: Yes it does! The ritual of circumcision, like most rituals in the Bible, was given to the nation of Israel to model deeper, universal spiritual truths (Romans 4:11). The outward removal of corrupted flesh reflects the need for believers to cut corrupt behavior and attitudes out of our lives (Colossians 2:11), no matter how painful that process might be.

The Old Testament Prophets frequently reminded the Israelites of this deeper significance to the ritual of circumcision (Jeremiah 6:10; 9:26; Ezekiel 44:7; cf. Acts 7:51). Even though they had gone through the physical ceremony, the prophets informed them they were missing the whole point because they had not “circumcised their hearts” (Deuteronomy 10:16; 30:6). In fact, the Jewish people had a perpetual problem of going through the external motions of their faith without ever letting God change their hearts, the very need that circumcision was meant to picture in the first place! Professing Christians can continue to make the same mistake to this day, with the same disastrous consequences (Matthew 7:21-23; Revelation 2:4-5).

The Apostle Paul regularly had to make the distinction between external circumcision and heart circumcision clear in his many New Testament Letters (Romans 2:28-29; Romans 4:9-11; Galatians 5:6; Philippians 3:3; etc.). Some individuals in the church were placing an unbiblical emphasis on external rituals, including circumcision, and Paul directly and firmly attacked that wrong perspective wherever he encountered it (I Corinthians 7:18; Galatians 5:2, 6). Circumcision of the heart takes place when we cut ourselves off from corrupt choices and our broken situations and instead turn to Christ in faith. When we do this the Holy Spirit “circumcises” or cuts off our corruption and sins, and places them upon Christ at the crucifixion where they are paid for, cleansed, and forever laid to rest (Colossians 2:11-14).

So then, the ritual of circumcision ultimately gives us another picture of the gospel work that is done within our hearts. The heart surgery of spiritual circumcision is the important truth to comprehend and experience, the ritual of circumcision is inconsequential, particularly to Gentiles (I Corinthians 7:19; Galatians 6:15).

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