Paul's References to Gentile Circumcision / Non-Circumcision in Galatians

Let's see how many explicit references we can find to the subject AND JUST AS IMPORTANTLY how many IMPLICIT references we can also find. And look out for references to being "descendants (or heirs) of Abraham" which of course amounts to exactly the same thing - being physically circumcised.

We started in Galatians 2:3, which is where Paul really begins to get into the subject matter. Let's look at that again:

Galatians 2:3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was COMPELLED TO BE CIRCUMCISED:

The next references to the subject begin ONLY four verses later in Galatians 2:7;

Galatians 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the UNCIRCUMCISION was committed unto me, as the gospel of the CIRCUMCISION was unto Peter; 8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the CIRCUMCISION, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles (that is the UNcircumcised):) 9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen (that is the UNCIRCUMCISED), and they unto the CIRCUMCISION.

In those three verses that's four explicit references to circumcision or uncircumcision and two implicit references to circumcision. Only three verses later Galatians 2:12

Galatians 2:12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them WHICH WERE OF THE CIRCUMCISION.

More Implicit References to Circumcision and Uncircumcision in Galatians

In Galatians 3 we begin to see some more IMPLICIT references to the same sort of thing. Galatians 3:7

Galatians 3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM.

With the background of Genesis 17: it's clear that what he's saying is: if you've got faith, then you're ALREADY like Abraham in a more important way than being like him physically: - so you're children of Abraham SPIRITUALLY),

Galatians 3: 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify THE HEATHEN (gentiles or uncircumcised) through faith, (and again by implication NOT by physical circumcision) preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which be of faith (and by implication not necessarily of circumcision) are blessed with faithful Abraham.

The next implicit reference to the subject is five verses later in Galatians 3:14

Galatians 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit THROUGH FAITH. (again NOT by physical circumcision) This is because rather than being PHYSICALLY identified as Abraham's descendents through circumcision, more IMPORTANTLY they're like Abraham in his attitude or heart.

The next reference is at the end of the next verse in Galatians 3:15b

Galatians 3:15b Though it be but a MAN'S COVENANT, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. 16 Now to Abraham AND HIS SEED (his circumcised descendant) were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. 18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

Is Paul Really Talking About the Old Covenant in Galatians?

Now just what covenant do you think Paul's referring to here in the last part of verse 15, where he says:

15b Though it be but a MAN'S COVENANT, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. 16 Now to Abraham AND HIS SEED were the promises made.

Particularly when he says it's A MAN'S covenant, and the promises were made to Abraham and his SEED (Christ) in the middle of a letter whose primary context is about circumcision ?

In verse 17 we read that the covenant that Paul is talking of here was made 430 years before Sinai, which means before Jacob's family even moved to Egypt and so it wasn't part of the laws that God gave then at Sinai. It seems the context of the whole letter is the covenant of Genesis 17: the identity/passport/circumcision of Abraham's descendents and how the temporary provision under Exodus 12;48 enabling gentiles to become Israelite citizens could now be waived since Cornelius.

It has everything to do with the IDENTITY OF THE DESCENDENTS OF ABRAHAM. But it has got ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the ten commandments, or anything else that was done at Sinai. This part of Galatians at least gives no right for anyone to try and do away with ANY other aspect of God's law. As Cornelius showed, only God can change his laws, and Cornelius' case showed unequivocally that Exodus 12:48 was only temporary. Let's take a look at some other implicit references to the subject.

Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the CHILDREN OF GOD (implicitly NOT children of Abraham) by faith in Christ Jesus.

And of course HE'S WRITING TO GENTILES, reinforcing the point that they shouldn't be worried about not being Abraham's physical descendents, but concentrate more on the fact that they are GOD'S children first and foremost.

Galatians 4: Again talks about descendency, referring to heirs. For example verse 1:

Galatians 4: 1 ¶ Now I say, That the HEIR, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; Again, what Paul's trying to say is: even if you are a legitimate physically circumcised child of Abraham, so long as you're a child, you're still no different from a servant ( i.e. a servant who ISN'T descended from the master of the household).

So despite being a circumcised heir you're no different from an uncircumcised gentile servant - who isn't a son.

Galatians 4:7 Wherefore thou (speaking to gentiles) art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Reinforcing the fact that you don't have to be a physical descendent of Abraham to be a son and HEIR OF GOD.

Galatians 4: 22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

Bit of a theme isn't it ?

Galatians 4:28 Now we, brethren, (including you gentiles) as Isaac was, are the children (descendants) of promise. So like Abraham's first son Isaac, gentiles too are children of the better New Covenant promises. 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

So we ARE (in one sense) descendents of Abraham, irrespective of our parentage.

Galatians 5:2-3 Behold, I Paul say unto you (speaking specifically to the gentiles here), that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

Back in those times, as we've said, the whole law was both the written AND Oral Torah.

Galatians 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

We know that being a Christian is all about being a SPIRITUAL Israelite, being like Abraham the "Father of the Faithful" IN OUR HEARTS;. And this theme of circumcision "of the heart" isn't a New Testament concept as many assume:

Deuteronomy 30:6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, TO LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THINE HEART, AND WITH ALL THY SOUL, that thou mayest live. (for eternity)

Also: Deuteronomy 10:16

Deuteronomy 10:16 CIRCUMCISE THEREFORE THE FORESKIN OF YOUR HEART, and be no more stiff-necked.

Also: Jeremiah 4:4

Jeremiah 4:4 Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and TAKE AWAY THE FORESKINS OF YOUR HEART.

Clearly being "circumcised in the heart", that is being able to be considered as a descendent of Abraham because we are like he was in his heart (attitude) HAS ALWAYS been an obligation on any convert to God's religion, not just gentiles. It's clearly not a uniquely New Testament admonition.

Galatians 5:11 11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. That brings us back to Galatians 6: 12-15 again:

Galatians 6:12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, THEY CONSTRAIN YOU TO BE CIRCUMCISED; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; BUT DESIRE TO HAVE YOU CIRCUMCISED, THAT THEY MAY GLORY IN YOUR FLESH. 14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

One final point on this first theme, and its perhaps less obvious, but undeniably an important part of this whole issue. How did Paul (a devout Jew of the tribe of Benjamin) address the uncircumcised gentile proselytes in Galatian churches?

Paul called uncircumcised gentile proselytes his "brethren" (brothers).

Return to the start of Galatians, Paul, The Torah-Law and Legalism a Judianity website ?

Why do many christian theologians believe that Paul kept Nazirite vows & offered sacrifices at the temple, even after the crucifixion, if the Old Testament law is "done away"? One small & predictable change to an "Old Testament" law about circumcising gentile proselytes in Acts caused massive turmoil in the predominantly Jewish first century church. If most of the other Old Testament laws were "done away"; why then isn't any comparable fuss recorded in the New Testament ?

Let's take a closer look at the fact that Paul Called Uncircumcised Gentiles "Brethren" (Brothers)
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