the circumcision

Romans 3:30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

the circumcision

Under consideration in this chapter is just who are the ‘circumcision’ of Romans 3:30? Three things must be looked at in considering God justifying the circumcision ‘by faith’. When did circumcision come into play? To whom was circumcision passed on to and who was given this designation as to being the ‘Circumcision’?

The Abrahamic Covenant

Circumcision was instituted in Genesis 17, but we must first backtrack to Genesis 12 for a running start into this subject.

Hebrews 11:8 and Genesis 12 tells of a man diligently responding ‘by faith’, to a faithful God of reward (Heb 11:6), with intent of forming a nation that would eventually rise above all nations.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

without faith it is impossible to please him
for he that cometh to God must believe that he is
and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him

Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

By faith Abraham, when he was called
to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance
obeyed

Genesis 12:1-7 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. 4 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. 5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came. 6 And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. 7 And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.

the LORD had said unto Abram
Get thee out of thy country
unto a land that I will shew thee
I will make of thee a great nation
I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing
I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee
Unto thy seed will I give this land

What we have before us is the establishment of the Abrahamic Covenant. The LORD promised to Abram that he would be the father of a physical seed, inheriting a physical land, that would bring either blessing or cursing to those nations around about. This covenant was reinforced in Genesis 15, with a slight twist which is covered in chapters titled "through faith", and "circumcision justified through faith".

Here we’ll simply deal with the reinforcement of the Abrahamic Covenant.

Genesis 15:7 And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it. 15:18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees
to give thee this land to inherit it
In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram
Unto thy seed have I given this land

The Covenant of Circumcision

Abraham's Household & the Stranger

Up until now, there was no real way of identifying this seed outside of simply recognizing Abraham’s household, but this was about to change.

Genesis 17:1-14 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. 2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. 3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, 4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. 5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. 6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. 8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. 9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. 10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. 11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. 12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. 13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.

I will make my covenant between me and thee
behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations
I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant
I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger
Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations
This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee
Every man child among you shall be circumcised
And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you
he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you
every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house
or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed
the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant

A line has now been drawn in the sand that would physically distinguish between this promised seed, to be blessed by the LORD, from that of the surrounding nations. Circumcision was a token of the Abrahamic covenant and referred to as the covenant of circumcision. God’s grace is seen here in respect to that there was an avenue, for those outside of Abraham’s immediate household and seed, to find shelter within the Abrahamic Covenant. The ‘stranger’, bought with money, found security within this covenant.

Genesis 17:23-27 And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him. 24 And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 25 And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 26 In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son. 27 And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him.

And Abraham took… every male among the men of Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day
Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin
And all the men of his house, born in the house
and bought with money of the stranger

Strangers Invited

A Bad Illustration in Demonstrating God's Grace

Though reasoned in deceit, the following illustration demonstrates a grace God allowed to those outside of Abraham's immediate seed. The sons of Jacob convinced the household of Hamo, the Hivite, to submit to circumcision, after Hamo’s son defiled one of Jacob’s daughters, Dinah. The argument in doing so was that one uncircumcised was a reproach unto their (Abraham’s) people and therefore would not consent to a marriage between the circumcised and uncircumcised. In submitting, they would be considered as becoming one people.

Genesis 34:13-17 And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister: 14 And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us: 15 But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be, that every male of you be circumcised; 16 Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people. 17 But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone.

We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us
But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be, that every male of you be circumcised
Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people

Circumcision Under the Mosaic Covenant

Under the instruction of the LORD, Moses returns to Egypt with threat of destroying Pharaoh’s firstborn, if Pharaoh would not allow the LORD’s firstborn son (Israel), to go free from under Egyptian bondage (Ex 4:21-23). Moses apparently ignored his own obligation, in not circumcising his own firstborn, as Moses’ wife intervenes when the LORD seeks to slay Moses’ son.

Exodus 4:24-26 And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him. 25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. 26 So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.

the LORD met him, and sought to kill him
Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son… and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me
then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision

Circumcision remained a mandate, under the Mosaic Covenant, for both Abraham's seed and for strangers that would partake of the ordinance of the Passover.

Exodus 12:43-44 And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof: 44 But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.

This is the ordinance of the passover
every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof

Exodus 12:48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.

And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised
he shall be as one that is born in the land
for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof

Leviticus 12:2-3 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean. 3 And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.

If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child
in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised

Because of rebellion, after crossing the Red Sea, the LORD had Israel tarry in the wilderness till all the men of war died. After Joshua led the nation through Jordan, instruction was given to circumcise all males… ‘because they had not circumcised them by the way’.

Joshua 5:2-8 At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time. 3 And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins. 4 And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: All the people that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt. 5 Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised. 6 For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: unto whom the LORD sware that he would not shew them the land, which the LORD sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey. 7 And their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way. 8 And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were whole.

the LORD said unto Joshua… circumcise again the children of Israel the second time
All the people that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way
And their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way

Covenant of Circumcision A

Abrahamic Covenant B

Circumcision in the Gospels

John the Baptist and Jesus

The Mosaic Covenant was still in affect during the Gospel era as John the Baptist and Jesus were born under the Old Testament economy, before components of the New Covenant begun to surface.

Luke 1:5-6 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. Luke 1:57 Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. Luke 1:59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife
they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless
Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son
on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child

Luke 2:21-24 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. 22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; 23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child
when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord
As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord
to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord

Circumcision During the Acts' Period

The rite of circumcision became a contentious issue during the Act’s period, after the Circumcision (Jew) began to recognize God being merciful to the Uncircumcision (Gentiles), in particular under Paul’s ministry. Because of the transitioning nature of the Act’s period and distinction still being made between audiences, Paul was compelled to have Timothy circumcised on one occasion, while Titus not circumcised on another. Paul had to walk a tight rope depending upon to whom and among whom he was ministering.

Acts 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. Acts 15:5-6 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. 6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses

Acts 16:1-3 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: 2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him
because of the Jews which were in those quarters
for they knew all that his father was a Greek

Galatians 2:3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:

neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised

Acts 21:20-22 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: 21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. 22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.

Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law
they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs

Timothy & Titus C

Circumcision’s Internal and External Distinctions

It is important for the reader to understand, regardless as to the confusion it may cause at first, that there are both internal and external distinctions to be made, between the circumcision and uncircumcision, during the Act’s period.

Internal Distinction

As far as the internal distinctions to be made, being ‘in Christ’ there was no distinction as neither circumcision or uncircumcision availeth anything, but a new creature. Also, the goals became the same regardless if one circumcised or uncircumcised got saved.

Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

in Christ Jesus
neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision
but a new creature

Galatians 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

in Jesus Christ
neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision
but faith which worketh by love

1 Corinthians 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

Circumcision is nothing
uncircumcision is nothing
but the keeping of the commandments of God

External Distinction

Even though an internal distinction brought on no distinction between those ‘in Christ’, of either the circumcision or uncircumcision, it is abundantly clear that external distinctions were yet made. These were based on hopes and callings and methods in which righteousness or godliness was displayed during the Act’s period. Moses’ law and the Apostle’s doctrine were standards followed yet to show distinction, between the believing circumcision, from those of the believing or unbelieving uncircumcision.

1 Corinthians 7:18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.

Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised
Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised

Colossians 4:11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.

which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision

Romans 16:4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

churches of the Gentiles

Galatians 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

James, Cephas, and John… they unto the circumcision
we should go unto the heathen

Acts 21:19-21 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: 21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law
And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews
which are among the Gentiles
to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs

1 Peter 2:9-12 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles

The Circumcision of Romans 3:30 Justified ‘By faith’

In closing this chapter, we’ll directly answer the question as to who are the circumcision, saved ‘by faith’, in Romans 3:30?

Romans 3:30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

which shall justify the circumcision by faith

The circumcision, being justified by faith, was the Jew making claim of ties to Abraham and some semblance to the Mosaic Covenant. Familiarity with the scripture, traces Abraham’s descendants from the promised heir Isaac to Jacob and on through his twelve sons resulting in the twelve tribes of the nation of Israel. The context, in which ‘shall justify the circumcision by faith’ is found (Rom 3:30), concerns the recipients of the law; the circumcised Jews of the nation of Israel. The circumcision was a designation still given to Jews during the Act's period.

The historic time line, of God justifying the circumcision ‘by faith’, would cover the household of Abraham from Genesis 17 through to the Gospels and early Act's period, under those ministering the kingdom gospel focusing on Israel. Details of what this justification encompassed, in both message and response, is covered in chapter titled, "circumcision justified by faith".

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