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33 Truths at Salvation for Every Believer

Circumcised in Christ

Key Verse: Colossians 2:11  ·  NASB1995

Key Verse

“and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ”

Colossians 2:11

The old ritual pointed to something God has now done inwardly — cutting away the rule of the sinful nature, not with hands, but by His own work in you.

Also See

“for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,”

Philippians 3:3 · NASB1995

“But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.”

Romans 2:29 · NASB1995

Colossians 2:11 calls it “a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ.” Philippians 3:3 says this is what makes someone “the true circumcision,” worshiping “in the Spirit of God” rather than trusting the flesh, and Romans 2:29 locates the whole change “of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter.” God has cut away the rule of the sinful nature, not with hands, but by His own work in you.

Reflect

  1. Where are you still tempted to trust an outward mark or performance rather than the inward work God has already done?

Read the full chapter for context

Read Colossians 2 · NASB95 on Blue Letter Bible

Adapted from “The Riches of Grace in Christ Jesus” by Lewis Sperry Chafer, from Salvation (Sunday School Times Company, 1917, public domain).

Scripture quotations are from the NASB1995 (New American Standard Bible, 1995 update), © The Lockman Foundation.

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