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Galatians 6:12-16
Some had taught the Galatian Christians that "Gentile" Christians should become physically circumcised. Paul disagrees. He makes it plain that the real motive of those teaching this doctrine is to "make a good showing of the flesh . . . that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ" (Galatians 6:12; 5:11; I Corinthians 7:19; Romans 2:28-29). In verse 15, he asserts that "neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but the new creation." Paul reiterates what he says in Galatians 5:6: What is important is a walk of "faith working through love." Upon those who so walk, the apostle concludes, will be "peace and mercy" (verse 16).
Physical descent - whether one is a Gentile or an Israelite - matters nothing. What matters is whether a person is nurturing the new man, once established by God, through a renewal process which involves walking in His law.
Charles Whitaker
Choosing the New Man (Part Two)Related Topics: Abraham, Descendants of | Circumcised in the Mind | Circumcision | Circumcision of the Heart | Circumcision, Physical | Circumcision, Spiritual | Circumcision, Symbolism Behind | Gentiles | Israelite, Spiritual | New Man | Renewal of Mind | Renewal Process | Renewing of Mind | Spiritual Israelite
Galatians 6:12-16
In Galatians 6:12-16; Ephesians 2:10-18; and Colossians 3:9-11, Paul broaches the subject of circumcision. He often connects the new man with circumcision because he understands the symbolism behind circumcision, and so should we.
When practiced according to God's law, the ritual of circumcision pertains to men, that is, males, taking place on the eighth day after parturition. Eight is the number of "new beginnings," the idea being that seven is the number of perfection, and seven plus one - eight - restarts the cycle. Thus, the eighth day of the week is Sunday, in reality the beginning of the new week. The Last Great Day, which occurs eight days after the Feast of Tabernacles begins, looks forward to the day when God will make all things new. This is the important symbolic message behind physical circumcision: The boy - the man - circumcised on the eighth day is a "new man."
However, the new man of whom Paul speaks is not new because of physical circumcision. He is new because he has obeyed God's command to "circumcise the foreskin of [his] heart, and be stiff-necked no longer" (Deuteronomy 10:16, see Jeremiah 4:4). Paul, understanding this, claims that "circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit." "Heart," of course, refers to mind. The new man is new because he is "renewed in the spirit of [his] mind" (Ephesians 4:23). By definition, the new man is spiritually circumcised - circumcised in his mind.
Charles Whitaker
Choosing the New Man (Part Two)Related Topics: Circumcised in the Mind | Circumcision | Circumcision of the Heart | Circumcision, Physical | Circumcision, Spiritual | Circumcision, Symbolism Behind | Last Great Day | New Man | Spiritual CircumcisionOther Forerunner Commentary entries containing Galatians 6:12:
Galatians 6:12-16
Ephesians 2:10-18
Colossians 3:9-11
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What Does Galatians 6:12 Mean?
In Galatians 6:12, the motive behind compelling circumcision is exposed as a desire to make a good showing in the flesh and avoid persecution for the cross of Christ. Some taught Galatian Christians that Gentile believers should be physically circumcised, but this stems from a superficial intent rather than true faith. True significance lies not in physical circumcision or uncircumcision, but in becoming a new creation through a renewed mind and spirit. What matters is a walk of faith working through love, nurturing the new man established by God. Physical descent, whether Gentile or Israelite, holds no value; peace and mercy come to those who walk in God's law.