Galatians 02:01-05 Circumcision and the Gospel

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Text: Galatians 2:1-5

Introduction

1. Paul’s primary purpose in writing to the Galatians was to defend

a. His apostleship – Galatians 1:1

b. His gospel – Galatians 1:11-12

2. In doing so, he recounts a meeting that took place in Jerusalem, in which

a. He, Barnabas, and Titus attended – Galatians 2:1

b. He had the opportunity to relate the gospel he preached – Galatians 2:2

c. Some tried to compel Titus (a Greek) to be circumcised – Galatians 2:3-5

3. The issue of circumcision and the gospel was a major concern in the first century

a. Did Gentiles who became Christians have to be circumcised as per the Law?

b. The question preoccupied many churches, and much of Paul’s ministry

4. While the issue was resolved sufficiently that it is rarely a problem today, there are important lessons to be learned from a study of “Circumcision and the Gospel”.

Body

I. THE PRACTICE OF CIRCUMCISION

A. IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

1. As a sign of a covenant, it began with Abraham – Genesis 17:9-14, 23-27; Romans 4:11

2. It continued with Isaac, Jacob and his sons – Genesis 21:4; 34:14-17

3. Moses circumcised his sons, and gave the ordinance to Israel – Exodus 4:26;

4. It was required to observe the Passover – Exodus 12:48

5. Male children were to be circumcised the eighth day – Leviticus 12:1-3

6. The Jews born in the wilderness had not been circumcised, but were after they crossed the Jordan River – Joshua 5:1-8

B. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

1. John the Baptist was circumcised as an infant – Luke 1:59

2. Jesus was likewise circumcised on the eighth day – Luke 2:21

3. It became an issue when the gospel was first preached to Gentiles – Acts 11:1-3

4. It was the focus of controversy in Antioch and Jerusalem – Acts 15:1-2, 4-6

5. Paul had Timothy circumcised – Acts 16:1-3

6. It was rumored that Paul taught Jews not to be circumcised – Acts 21:18-21

7. It was certainly a frequent subject in Paul’s epistles

a. To the Romans – Romans 2:25-29; 3:1,30; 4:9-12; 15:8

b. To the Corinthians – 1 Corinthians 7:18-19

c. Especially to the Galatians – Galatians 2:1-9, 12; 5:2-6,11; 6:12-15

d. Mentioned in Ephesians – Ephesians 2:11

e. Also to the Colossians – Colossians 2:11; 3:11; 4:11

8. Because of the role of circumcision in Israel’s history, and its significance in early history of the church, it is important that we properly understand it in relation to:

II. THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL

A. PHYSICAL CIRCUMCISION NOT REQUIRED

1. Evidenced by the conversion of Cornelius and his family – Acts 10:44-48; 11:17- 18

2. Confirmed at that conference in Jerusalem – Acts 15:7-21

3. Proclaimed by the letter sent by the apostles and elders – Acts 15:22-31

4. Expounded upon by Paul in his letters – Romans 4:8-12; 1 Corinthians 7:19; Galatians 5:1-6; 6:15

B. SPIRITUAL CIRCUMCISION NOW AVAILABLE

1. A circumcision made without hands, in which sins are cut away – Colossians 2:11

2. Which occurs when we buried with Christ in baptism, then raised with Him – Colossians 2:12

3. When God makes us alive with Christ, forgiving our sins – Colossians 2:13

4. The physical rite of circumcision has become a matter of indifference to God, though it can be used and misused. From both the practice of circumcision and the truth of the gospel as revealed in the Bible, let’s summarize.

III. THE LESSONS FROM CIRCUMCISION

A. RITUAL ALONE NOT ADEQUATE…

1. This was true even when circumcision was required of Israel

2. God desired circumcision of the heart as well as of the flesh – Deuteronomy 10:16; 30:6; Jeremiah 4:4

3. Paul explained that the true Jew was the one circumcised in heart – Romans 2:28-29

4. The same is true of baptism; it must be accompanied with faith and repentance – Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:36-37; Colossians 2:12

B. THE LAW HAS PASSED AWAY

1. Jesus said not one jot or tittle of the Law would pass until all was fulfilled – Matthew 5:17-18

2. Circumcision was required by the Law – Exodus 12:48; Leviticus 12:1-3

3. If circumcision is no longer binding, the change implies the passing away of the Law

4. A similar point is made with reference to the priesthood of Christ – Hebrews 7:12-19

C. ‘EVERLASTING’ MAY NOT MEAN ‘LASTING FOREVER’

1. Circumcision was described as the sign of an ‘everlasting covenant’ – Genesis 17:10-14

2. In the case of circumcision, ‘everlasting’ (Heb., olam) did not mean ‘lasting forever’

a. BDB defines olam as “long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, ever more, perpetual, old, ancient, world”

b. The Complete Word Study Dictionary defines olam as “meaning a very long time.”

c. “The term also applies to many things associated with God, such as His decrees, His covenants, and the Messiah (Genesis 9:16; Exodus 12:14; Micah 5:2).”

3. If ‘everlasting’ always meant ‘lasting forever’, then we should still be observing:

a. The Passover – Exodus 12:14

b. The Feast of Unleavened Bread – Exodus 12:17

c. The priesthood of Aaron – Exodus 29:9

d. The Sabbath – Exodus 31:16-17

e. The sacrifices, with their portions for the priests – Leviticus 6:18; 7:34-36; 10:15

f. Fasting and animal sacrifices on the Day of Atonement – Leviticus 16:29-34

g. The Feast of Tabernacles – Leviticus 23:39-42

h. …and many other elements of the Law described as ‘everlasting ordinances’

4. From the context of the Scriptures, one discerns when ‘everlasting’ means ‘lasting forever’

5. Since circumcision is no longer binding, we should not be surprised such is true with other elements of the Law – cf. Colossians 2:16-17; Hebrews 9:10

D. WHEN TRADITION BECOMES SINFUL

1. Paul did not hesitate to use the tradition of circumcision when expedient – Acts 16:3

a. The same with other Jewish traditions – Acts 18:18,21

b. Even some that involved animal sacrifices – Acts 21:18-26

2. Yet he opposed circumcision (and other elements of the Law) when people attempted to:

a. Bind it on Gentiles, as in the case of Titus – Galatians 2:3-5

b. Use it for the purpose of justification – Galatians 5:2-4

3. Thus Jesus also condemned traditions of men when they:

a. Are taught as commandments to be bound on others – Mark 7:6-7

b. By their observance prevent keeping the commandments of God – Mark 7:8-13

4. Under the right circumstances, traditions may be observed – cf. Romans 14:5-6

Conclusion

1. The issue of circumcision may seem antiquated and unimportant

a. It certainly is not one of the ‘hot issues’ of our day

b. Yet lessons learned from studying the issue can be very helpful

2. Understanding the issue of circumcision can help us preserve the truth of the gospel

a. We are saved by an obedient faith in Christ, not by keeping the Law of Moses

b. The Law as a system of justification came to an end at the cross of Christ

c. Elements of the Law, such as circumcision, the Passover, Sabbath, etc., are not binding today

d. Traditions of the Law might be observed on a personal level, but it is a sin to base one’s salvation on them, or to bind them on other people

3. While circumcision of the flesh is nonessential, the circumcision ‘without hands’ is certainly necessary if we are to have our sins ‘cut away’ Colossians 2:11-13