Should We Circumcise?

As a mother of boys (well, one here and one on the way), the circumcision decision is one that I’ve had to make. But when the time came that my first son was born, the decision was clear in my mind.

I had grown up hearing all the medical reasons that circumcision was to be performed. Then, I heard the conservative Christian side, honoring God’s design and all of that, even the reasons we should do it on the 8^th day of life.

Then I read an article in a Reader’s Digest about the subject. It piqued my interest as a Christian because it said that Gentile believers had not circumcised since the time of the New Testament until recently.

Then came the time that I was to study circumcision as part of my midwifery studies. I read the material and looked at Scripture. That experience made it very easy for me to know what I was going to do when my first son was born.

Just in case someone else is trying to make that decision is trying to wade through all the conflicting information out there, I’ve put together a list of the New Testament teachings on the subject. I’ll also include a couple of links to some medical information in case you want to look at the decision from that perspective. It is a personal decision, but one that we should be informed about.

Blessings!

For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.

Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?

And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfill the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?

For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. (Rom. 2: 25-29)

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

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:

Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (Col. 2:8-12))

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

Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. (I Cor. 7: 18,19).

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

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

But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. (Col. 3:8-11)

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

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

Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.

I would they were even cut off which trouble you.

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. (Gal. 5: 1-13)

(The following passages are from different Bible translations. Notice, the strong language Paul uses toward those who are teaching circumcision and the keeping of the OT law.)

I wish those who unsettle and confuse you would [[c]go all the way and] cut themselves off! (Amplified)

As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

(NIV)

For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

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

And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. (Gal. 6: 12-16)

Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.

For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (Phil. 3: 2,3)

(Again, the same passage in various Bible translations. The context shows that the word “concision” is a reference to those who teach circumcision, referred to here as “mutilation of the flesh.”)

What is removed during a circumcsion: http://www.mothersagainstcirc.org/lost.html