It Starts Small

¹¹ So, then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh—called “the uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised,” which is done in the flesh by human hands. ¹² At that time you were without Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world.

Ephesians 2:11-12

“the uncircumcised” and “circumcised”

Circumcision stands as a profound physical testament to God’s unwavering covenant with the Jews. It is a powerful declaration of their identity as a distinct people wholly devoted to God and His divine laws. It resonates deeply as a tangible symbol. Like baptism for believers, it boldly signifies our intimate relationship with Christ. It also shows our conscious separation from the world’s distractions. It’s crucial to understand that circumcision alone cannot save anyone. People are not saved by mere good deeds. They are not saved by compliance with God’s law. True salvation has never stemmed from those actions. Instead, it serves as a poignant reminder of God’s enduring promise to His people, Israel. This promise echoes through generations with fervent significance.

As we delve into the profound depths of Paul’s letters, we are struck by the powerful truth. The Jews were distinctly chosen by God. However, this privilege devolved into a dangerous pride. They scorned those who weren’t circumcised, labeling them as the “uncircumcision,” viewing others as unclean, lowly, and utterly worthless. In their arrogance, they lost sight of the essence of true circumcision, which lies in the transformation of the heart. Their existence should be defined by an unwavering stance of holiness. It should also be marked by a heartfelt separation from the world’s ways. Furthermore, it requires a passionate dedication to God.

There are five areas where Gentiles were worse off than Jews in the Old Testament:

• They stood apart from Christ, the one who was promised as the mighty deliverer of the Jews! He was not just any figure; He was their King, their Savior, the embodiment of hope and redemption. And let us remember, He was a Jew Himself, intimately woven into the very fabric of their story!
• They could not be citizens of Israel. They were always referred to as aliens or foreigners. The best they could do was be second-rate residents of Israel.
• They were strangers to the covenant of promise. God made a covenant with Abraham and renewed it with Isaac and Jacob. In this covenant, The Lord promised specific things, such as land, a priesthood, many people, and a nation. Since Gentiles are not descended from Abraham, this covenant is not for them.
• They were having no hope – All people without God are without hope. Gentiles in Old Testament times were almost universally without God. We learn from Romans 1 that this lost state is because of their willful disbelief in the one true God. They had many false gods but rejected worship in the one true God.
• They were without God – They didn’t know God. They didn’t follow God. That’s why they didn’t have any hope.

The obvious question then is, could a Gentile in the Old Testament be saved? Did they have any chance?

Absolutely, the answer is a resounding yes! Salvation has eternally been a gift received through faith, never a privilege bestowed upon anyone simply due to their race. In the times of the Old Testament, individuals received salvation through unwavering trust in God, just as we do today. Non-Jews weren’t barred; they could embrace circumcision and become proselytes, even back then! It’s a profound truth that while some Gentiles found salvation, not all Jews did. Nationality and ethnicity hold no power in securing salvation—a divine truth that transcends human distinctions!

To remind the Jews that their race did not save them, John the Baptist said:

⁹ And don’t presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones.

Matthew 3:9

Why is it crucial for us to understand our origins? Discovering where we come from fills our hearts with immense joy and gratitude for our present circumstances. For Gentiles, there are countless reasons to celebrate God’s incredible journey. He has brought us from distant lands and lovingly reconciled us to Himself.

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Cross Reference:

• Romans 2:29
• Colossians 2:13
• Jeremiah 9:25-26
• Genesis 17:7-9
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13
• 1 Thessalonians 4:5

Reflective Questions

• Who are the “uncircumcision”?
• Who are the “circumcision”?
• What was the purpose of circumcision as God originally commanded it for the
• Jews?
• When is “that time” that is referred to in verse 12?
• What do each of the following phrases mean? Separate from Christ? Excluded from the commonwealth of Israel? Strangers to the covenants of promise? Having no hope? Without God in the world?
• Why were Gentiles in this desperate and hopeless situation?
• Why does Paul remind the Ephesians of the Gentiles’ previous desperate condition?

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