Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, New Living Translation When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. English Standard Version In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, Berean Standard Bible In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands. Berean Literal Bible in whom also you were circumcised with the circumcision made without hands in the removal of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, King James Bible In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: New King James Version In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, New American Standard Bible and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision performed without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ, NASB 1995 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; NASB 1977 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; Legacy Standard Bible in whom you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, Amplified Bible In Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, but by the [spiritual] circumcision of Christ in the stripping off of the body of the flesh [the sinful carnal nature], Christian Standard Bible 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, Holman Christian Standard Bible You were also circumcised in Him with a circumcision not done with hands, by putting off the body of flesh, in the circumcision of the Messiah. American Standard Version in whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ; Contemporary English Version Christ has also taken away your selfish desires, just as circumcision removes flesh from the body. English Revised Version in whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ; GOD'S WORD® Translation In him you were also circumcised. It was not a circumcision performed by human hands. But it was a removal of the corrupt nature in the circumcision performed by Christ. Good News Translation In union with Christ you were circumcised, not with the circumcision that is made by human beings, but with the circumcision made by Christ, which consists of being freed from the power of this sinful self. International Standard Version In union with him you were also circumcised with a circumcision performed without human hands by stripping off the corrupt nature by the circumcision performed by the Messiah. Majority Standard Bible In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands. NET Bible In him you also were circumcised--not, however, with a circumcision performed by human hands, but by the removal of the fleshly body, that is, through the circumcision done by Christ. New Heart English Bible in whom you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ; Webster's Bible Translation In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Weymouth New Testament In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision not performed by hand, when you threw off your sinful nature in true Christian circumcision; World English Bible In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionin whom you also were circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of sins of the flesh by the circumcision of the Christ, Berean Literal Bible in whom also you were circumcised with the circumcision made without hands in the removal of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, Young's Literal Translation in whom also ye were circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh in the circumcision of the Christ, Smith's Literal Translation In whom also were ye circumcised with the circumcision not made by hands, in the putting off the body of the sins of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ; Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIn whom also you are circumcised with circumcision not made by hand, in despoiling of the body of the flesh, but in the circumcision of Christ: Catholic Public Domain Version In him also, you have been circumcised with a circumcision not made by hand, not by the despoiling of the body of flesh, but by the circumcision of Christ. New American Bible In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not administered by hand, by stripping off the carnal body, with the circumcision of Christ. New Revised Standard Version In him also you were circumcised with a spiritual circumcision, by putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIn whom also you are circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in putting off the sinful body by the circumcision of Christ: Aramaic Bible in Plain English And you are circumcised in him by circumcision that is without hands, in the putting off of the body of sins by the circumcision of The Messiah. NT Translations Anderson New Testamentin whom you have been also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in the putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, Godbey New Testament in whom you are also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of depravity, in the circumcision of Christ; Haweis New Testament in whom also ye have been circumcised with the circumcision not made with hands, by the putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, through the circumcision of Christ: Mace New Testament by whom also ye have obtain'd the true spiritual circumcision, not effected by men, when you were by a christian circumcision divested of all your carnal affections, Weymouth New Testament In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision not performed by hand, when you threw off your sinful nature in true Christian circumcision; Worrell New Testament in Whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hand, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ; Worsley New Testament In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision not performed by hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision which is of Christ: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Alive in Christ…10And you have been made complete in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. 11In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands. 12And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.… Cross References Romans 2:28-29 A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical. / No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God. Philippians 3:3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— Galatians 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. What matters is faith expressing itself through love. Ephesians 2:11-13 Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh and called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision (that done in the body by human hands)— / remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. / But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. Romans 6:3-4 Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? / We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. Galatians 6:15 For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. What counts is a new creation. 1 Corinthians 7:18-19 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man still uncircumcised when called? He should not be circumcised. / Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commandments is what counts. Romans 4:11-12 And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. / And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. Galatians 3:27-29 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. / There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. / And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise. Ephesians 4:22-24 to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; / to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; / and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Deuteronomy 10:16 Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and stiffen your necks no more. Jeremiah 4:4 Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and remove the foreskins of your hearts, O men of Judah and people of Jerusalem. Otherwise, My wrath will break out like fire and burn with no one to extinguish it, because of your evil deeds.” Ezekiel 44:7-9 In addition to all your other abominations, you brought in foreigners uncircumcised in both heart and flesh to occupy My sanctuary; you defiled My temple when you offered My food—the fat and the blood; you broke My covenant. / And you have not kept charge of My holy things, but have appointed others to keep charge of My sanctuary for you.’ / This is what the Lord GOD says: No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and flesh may enter My sanctuary—not even a foreigner who lives among the Israelites. Genesis 17:10-14 This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, which you are to keep: Every male among you must be circumcised. / You are to circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and this will be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. / Generation after generation, every male must be circumcised when he is eight days old, including those born in your household and those purchased from a foreigner—even those who are not your offspring. ... Leviticus 26:41 and I acted with hostility toward them and brought them into the land of their enemies—and if their uncircumcised hearts will be humbled and they will make amends for their iniquity, Treasury of Scripture In whom also you are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: whom. Deuteronomy 10:16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. 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. Jeremiah 4:4 Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings. without. Mark 14:58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. Acts 7:48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Acts 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; in putting. Colossians 3:8,9 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth… Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Ephesians 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; by. Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Jump to Previous Body Christ Christian Circumcised Circumcision Flesh Hand Hands Nature Performed Putting Removal Sinful Sins Threw True.Jump to Next Body Christ Christian Circumcised Circumcision Flesh Hand Hands Nature Performed Putting Removal Sinful Sins Threw True.Colossians 2 1. Paul still exhorts them to be constant in Christ;8. to beware of philosophy, and vain traditions; 18. worshipping of angels; 20. and legal ceremonies, which are ended in Christ. In Him you were also circumcised This phrase refers to a spiritual circumcision that believers experience through their union with Christ. In the Old Testament, physical circumcision was a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants (Genesis 17:10-14). It was an outward sign of belonging to God's chosen people. However, in the New Testament, the focus shifts to a spiritual circumcision of the heart (Romans 2:28-29), symbolizing the believer's separation from sin and dedication to God. This spiritual circumcision is not a physical act but a transformation that occurs through faith in Christ. in the putting off of your sinful nature with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands Persons / Places / Events 1. PaulThe apostle who wrote the letter to the Colossians, addressing issues of false teachings and emphasizing the supremacy of Christ. 2. Colossae An ancient city in Asia Minor where the church addressed in this letter was located. 3. Christ Central figure in Christianity, whose spiritual circumcision is discussed in this verse. 4. Circumcision A physical act in Jewish tradition symbolizing the covenant with God, here used metaphorically to describe a spiritual transformation. 5. Sinful Nature The inherent human tendency to sin, which believers are called to put off through Christ. Teaching Points Spiritual Transformation Over Physical RitualsThe circumcision mentioned in Colossians 2:11 is not a physical act but a spiritual transformation performed by Christ. This emphasizes the importance of inner change over external rituals. Putting Off the Sinful Nature Believers are called to put off their sinful nature, akin to removing old garments. This is a continuous process of sanctification, enabled by Christ's work in us. Christ's Supremacy in Salvation The verse underscores that salvation and spiritual renewal are accomplished through Christ alone, not by human efforts or traditions. Unity in Christ The spiritual circumcision unites all believers, regardless of their background, into one body in Christ, breaking down barriers of division. Living Out Our New Identity As those who have been spiritually circumcised, believers are encouraged to live out their new identity in Christ, reflecting His character in their daily lives.(11) The circumcision made without hands.--This abrupt introduction of the idea of circumcision would be difficult to understand, were it not for the knowledge of the enforcement of Jewish observance so strangely mixed with this "philosophy" at Colossae. (Comp. Ephesians 2:11, "Ye who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision in the flesh made with hands.") The phrase "made without hands" is so constantly used of heavenly realities (as in Mark 14:58; 2Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 9:11; Hebrews 9:24), as opposed to earthly symbols, that it comes to have the positive sense of "spiritual." It is defined below as "the circumcision of Christ"--that which Christ has given us in Himself--in contradistinction to the old circumcision which is now "nothing." (On the treatment of this subject in the Epistles of this period, comp. with this passage Ephesians 2:11-12; Philippians 3:2-3, and see Notes there.) . . . Verse 11. - In whom also ye were circumcised, with a circumcision not wrought by hands (Ephesians 2:11; Philippians 3:3; Galatians 5:2-6; Galatians 6:12-15; Romans 2:25-29; Romans 4:9-12; 1 Corinthians 7:18; Acts 15:l, 5; Deuteronomy 30:6). Circumcision was insisted on by the new "philosophical" teacher as necessary to spiritual completeness; but from a different standpoint, and in a manner different from that of the Pharisaic Judaizers of Galatia and of Acts 15:1. By the latter it was preached as matter of Law and external requirement, and so became the critical point in the decision between the opposing principles of "faith" and "works." By the philosophical school it was enjoined as matter of symbolic moral efficiency. So Philo speaks of circumcision ('On the Migration of Abraham,' § 16) as "setting forth the excision of all the pleasures and passions, and the destruction of impious vain opinion" (see also his treatise 'On Circumcision'). From this point of view, baptism is the Christian circumcision, the new symbolic expression of the moral change which St. Paul and his opponents alike deemed necessary, though they understood it in a different sense from him (see vers. 20-23). In this respect the Christian is already complete, for his circumcision took place in the stripping off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ (Colossians 3:5, 8, 9; Ephesians 4:22-25; Romans 6:6; Romans 7:18-25; Romans 13:12; 1 Peter 2:1; 1 Peter 4:1, 2). The inserted "of the sins" is an ancient gloss. Ἀπ(έκ(δυσις, a double compound, found only in this Epistle (see corresponding verb in ver. 15; Colossians 3:9), denotes both "stripping off" and "putting away." "The stripping off of the body" was the ideal of the philosophical ascetics (see note on "body," ver. 23, and quotations from Philo). The apostle adds "of the flesh;" i.e. of the body in so far as it was the body of the flesh (vers. Colossians 2:13, 18, 23; Colossians 3:5). "The flesh" (in Colossians 1:22 that which Christ had put on; here that which the Christian puts off: comp. Romans 8:3) is "the flesh of sin," of Romans 8:3; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 2:3, etc. "The body," while identified with this "flesh," is "the body of sin" and "of death" (Romans 6:6; Romans 7:24; see Meyer, Godet, or Beet); sin inhabits it, clothes itself with it, and presents itself to us in its form; and this being the normal condition of unregenerate human nature, the sinful principle is naturally called the flesh. So "the (bodily) members" become "the members that are upon the earth," employed in the pursuit of lust and greed, till they become practically one with these vices (Colossians 3:5, see note; also Romans 7:5, 23). Yet "the body" and "the (sinful) flesh," while in the natural man one in practice, are in principle distinguishable (ver. 23: comp. Colossians 1:22], and separable (Romans 6:12). The deliverance from the physical acts and habits of the old sinful life, experienced by him who is "in Christ" (ver. 10; Romans 8:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:17), is "the circumcision according to the Christ," or here more pointedly "of Christ" - a real and complete, instead of a partial and symbolic, putting away of the organic life and domination of sin which made the body its seat and its instrument. The genitive" of Christ "is neither objective ("undergone by Christ"), nor subjective ("wrought by Christ"), but stands in a mere general relation - "belonging to Christ," "the Christian circumcision." The occasion of this new birth in the Colossians was their baptism - Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Inἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. Him ᾧ (hō) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that. you were also circumcised περιετμήθητε (perietmēthēte) Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4059: To cut around, circumcise. From peri and the base of tomoteros; to cut around, i.e. to circumcise. in ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. the τῇ (tē) Article - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. putting off ἀπεκδύσει (apekdysei) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 555: A putting off (as of a garment), a casting off. From apekduomai; divestment. of [your] τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Neuter Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. sinful nature, σαρκός (sarkos) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 4561: Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred. with ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. the τῇ (tē) Article - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. circumcision περιτομῇ (peritomē) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 4061: Circumcision. From peritemno; circumcision. [performed] by Christ Χριστοῦ (Christou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus. [and] περιτομῇ (peritomē) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 4061: Circumcision. From peritemno; circumcision. not by human hands. ἀχειροποιήτῳ (acheiropoiētō) Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 886: Not made with hands. Unmanufactured, i.e. Inartificial. 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