Definition and Background:
Uncircumcision refers to the state of not having undergone the physical act of circumcision, which is the removal of the foreskin from the male genitalia. In the biblical context, circumcision was instituted by God as a sign of the covenant between Him and Abraham, as recorded in Genesis 17:10-14. It became a distinguishing mark of the Jewish people, setting them apart from other nations. Uncircumcision, therefore, often symbolized those who were outside the covenant community of Israel.

Old Testament Context:
In the Old Testament, uncircumcision is frequently associated with Gentiles, who were considered outside the covenant community. The Philistines, for example, are often referred to as "uncircumcised" (1 Samuel 17:26), highlighting their status as non-Israelites and enemies of God's people. The term also carried a connotation of impurity or being unclean, as seen in the prophetic literature where God calls for the circumcision of the heart, indicating a deeper spiritual significance beyond the physical act (Jeremiah 9:25-26).

New Testament Context:
In the New Testament, the issue of circumcision versus uncircumcision becomes a significant theological topic, especially in the context of the early church's mission to the Gentiles. The Apostle Paul addresses this issue extensively, emphasizing that physical circumcision is not a requirement for salvation. In Romans 2:28-29 , Paul argues that true circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, and not merely an external, physical act. This teaching underscores the inclusivity of the Gospel, which is available to both Jews and Gentiles.

In Galatians 5:6 , Paul states, "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith, expressed through love." This highlights the shift from the old covenant's physical requirements to the new covenant's emphasis on faith and spiritual transformation.

Theological Significance:
Theologically, uncircumcision in the New Testament represents the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles. Ephesians 2:11-13 speaks of how those who were once "Gentiles in the flesh" and "called 'uncircumcised'" have been brought near by the blood of Christ. This passage illustrates the unifying work of Christ, who reconciles all believers, regardless of their ethnic or cultural background, into one body.

The concept of uncircumcision also serves as a metaphor for spiritual condition. Colossians 2:13 describes believers as having been "dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh," but made alive with Christ. This indicates that spiritual renewal and life in Christ transcend physical rituals and are rooted in the transformative power of the Gospel.

Practical Implications:
For contemporary believers, the discussion of circumcision and uncircumcision serves as a reminder of the sufficiency of Christ's work on the cross and the importance of faith over ritualistic observance. It calls Christians to focus on the inward transformation of the heart and to embrace the unity of the body of Christ, which transcends cultural and ethnic divisions. The emphasis on faith and love as the true markers of belonging to God's people encourages believers to live out their faith in practical, loving ways that reflect the heart of the Gospel.1. (n.) The absence or want of circumcision.

2. (n.) People not circumcised; the Gentiles.

UNCIRCUMCISED; UNCIRCUMCISION

un-sur'-kum-sizd, un-sur-kum-sizh'-un: The adjective in the Old Testament is `arel (Genesis 17:14, etc.), from a root of uncertain meaning, with the noun `orlah, "uncircumcised (person)" (Leviticus 19:23 Jeremiah 9:25), and the verb `aral, "count as uncircumcised" (Leviticus 19:23; the Revised Version (British and American) Habakkuk 2:16). In the Apocrypha and the New Testament the noun is akrobustia (a physiological term, 1 Maccabees 1:15; Acts 11:3, etc.), and the adjective aperitmetos (Additions to Esther 14:15; 1 Maccabees 1:48; 2:46; Acts 7:51), with the verb epispaomai, "become uncircumcised" (1 Corinthians 7:18). The language of 1 Maccabees 1:15 suggests the performance of some surgical operation, but no such operation appears to be possible, and "behaved like uncircumcised persons" (as in 1 Corinthians 7:18) is the probable meaning.

See CIRCUMCISION.

Burton Scott Easton

203. akrobustia -- the prepuce, foreskin, hence uncircumcision
... the prepuce, foreskin, hence uncircumcision. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: akrobustia Phonetic Spelling: (ak-rob-oos-tee'-ah) Short Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/203.htm - 7k

Neither do they Confess that they are Awed by those Citations from ...
... Is any called in uncircumcision? ... Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision
is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on lying/section 7 neither do they.htm

Ephesians ii. 11, 12
... 11, 12 "Wherefore remember, that aforetime ye the Gentiles in the flesh, who are
called Uncircumcision by that which is ... "Who are called Uncircumcision." [226]. ...
/.../homily v ephesians ii 11.htm

Keeping the Law; the Jews' Glorying; the Fear of Punishment; the ...
... Circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law; but if thou be a breaker
of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 13 viii keeping the law.htm

Rom. Ii. 17, 18
... "when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision?" For so long as it is struggling
against the Gentile and the uncircumcised, he is unwilling to say aught of ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily vi rom ii 17.htm

The Case of Abraham, and Its Bearing on the Present Question.
... His digamy began with circumcision, his monogamy with uncircumcision. ... You
retain uncircumcision; you are bound to monogamy too. ...
/.../tertullian/on monogamy/chapter vi the case of abraham.htm

Both Covenants were Prefigured in Abraham, and in the Labour of ...
... who did also receive the covenant of circumcision, after that justification by faith
which had pertained to him, when he was yet in uncircumcision, so that in ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxv both covenants were prefigured.htm

How the Passage of the Law Agrees with that of the Prophet.
... not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart." [943] For thus do they
become of the house of Israel, when their uncircumcision is accounted ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 46 how the passage of.htm

Righteousness is the Gift of God.
... [975] "For it is one God which justifies the circumcision by faith, and the
uncircumcision through faith;" [976] in which clauses there is no real difference ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 50 xxix righteousness is the.htm

But I Shall Also Offer, to the Best of My Ability...
... says, "Or seek ye a proof of that Christ who speaketh in me?" [1938] What have I
then to do with circumcision, seeing that I may be justified in uncircumcision ...
/.../the acts of the disputation with the heresiarch manes/42 but i shall also.htm

The Situation after the Council of Nic??a.
... of the Law on those born under it (which S. Paul never directly assailed, 1 Corinthians
7:18) recognised the Gospel of the uncircumcision as legitimate. ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/section 3 2 the situation.htm

Uncircumcision (19 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. UNCIRCUMCISED; UNCIRCUMCISION. ... See CIRCUMCISION.
Burton Scott Easton. Multi-Version Concordance Uncircumcision (19 Occurrences) ...
/u/uncircumcision.htm - 14k

Reckoned (98 Occurrences)
... (WEY DBY YLT). Romans 2:26 If therefore the uncircumcision keep the ordinances of
the law, shall not his uncircumcision be reckoned for circumcision? ...
/r/reckoned.htm - 36k

Uncircumcised (48 Occurrences)
... UNCIRCUMCISED; UNCIRCUMCISION. ... Romans 2:26 If therefore the uncircumcised keep the
ordinances of the law, won't his uncircumcision be accounted as circumcision? ...
/u/uncircumcised.htm - 25k

Counted (122 Occurrences)
... Romans 2:26 If therefore the uncircumcised keep the ordinances of the law, won't
his uncircumcision be accounted as circumcision? (Root in WEB KJV WBS). ...
/c/counted.htm - 35k

Counts (15 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 1 Corinthians 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing,
but the keeping of the commandments of God. (See RSV NIV). ...
/c/counts.htm - 10k

Accounted (32 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS YLT). Romans 2:26 If therefore the uncircumcised keep the ordinances
of the law, won't his uncircumcision be accounted as circumcision? (WEB). ...
/a/accounted.htm - 15k

Circumcised (58 Occurrences)
... (WEY NIV). Romans 2:26 If therefore the uncircumcised keep the ordinances of
the law, won't his uncircumcision be accounted as circumcision? ...
/c/circumcised.htm - 24k

Circumcision (98 Occurrences)
... Romans 2:25 For circumcision indeed profits, if you are a doer of the law, but if
you are a transgressor of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision...
/c/circumcision.htm - 53k

Keeps (154 Occurrences)
... Romans 2:26 If, therefore the uncircumcision the righteousness of the law may keep,
shall not his uncircumcision for circumcision be reckoned? (See NAS RSV). ...
/k/keeps.htm - 33k

Keepeth (60 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). Romans 2:26 Therefore, if the uncircumcision keepeth the righteousness
of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? ...
/k/keepeth.htm - 23k

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Uncircumcision: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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