We Are the Circumcision (But Not Israel)
“For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” – Philippians 3:3
Some misread this verse, assuming it equates the Body of Christ with Israel and entitles believers to Israel’s covenant promises. This interpretation stumbles over Scripture’s clear distinctions. Israel, currently in partial blindness (Rom 11:25), awaits the fulfillment of their new covenant, when God will remove their sins and restore them (Rom 11:26-28). The Body of Christ, however, is a distinct entity—a mystery from Christ revealed through Paul, not a replacement for Israel (Rom 16:25-26). We do not inherit Israel’s blessings or curses; our identity and standing before God are unique, rooted in grace, not the law or a covenant.
A Spiritual Circumcision
Paul’s statement that “we are the circumcision” doesn’t point to a physical rite but a spiritual reality. Upon believing the gospel, we undergo a divine operation: the Holy Spirit baptizes us into Christ’s death and resurrection and places us into Christ’s Body (Rom 6:3-11, 1Co 12:13). Our old, sinful self—the “old man”—is crucified with Christ, and we are raised to new life, complete and perfectly righteous in Him. Colossians 2:10-14 describes this process clearly:
“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. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.” – Colossians 2:10-14
This circumcision “made without hands” separates us from our fleshly nature. It’s not something we perform or earn—it happens to us the moment we trust in Christ’s finished work. All our trespasses are forgiven, and the law’s condemnation is nailed to the cross. We stand complete in Him.
Contrasting Israel’s Circumcision
Israel’s circumcision differs significantly. Physically, it marked their covenant with God, but Paul notes in Romans 2:28-29 that true circumcision for Israel was also spiritual—a heart transformed by faith, humility, and obedience to God. Yet, even this remained tied to their national identity and covenant obligations. Our circumcision, in contrast, rests entirely on Christ’s death and resurrection, imparted to us by grace through faith, not our own efforts. It severs us from the flesh and unites us with Christ in a way Israel’s covenant never did.
Three Marks of Our Circumcision
Philippians 3:3 substantiates this spiritual circumcision with three characteristics that define the Body of Christ:
1. We Worship God in the Spirit
Our service to God flows from a renewed heart and mind, empowered by the Holy Spirit (Rom 7:6). It’s not an outward show of rituals but an internal reality, fueled by gratitude for God’s grace. The Spirit’s indwelling enables us to grasp deep spiritual truths and understand all of the gracious things freely given to us in Christ (1Co 2:9-14). As temples of the Holy Spirit (1Co 6:19), our bodies and lives become a living sacrifice, unbound by ceremonial forms.
2. We Rejoice in Christ Jesus
Our joy is anchored in Christ, not in personal achievements or status. We celebrate His grace—His redemption, reconciliation, and gift of eternal life given to us. This rejoicing reflects our identity in Him, a joy that endures beyond circumstances because it’s rooted in what He has accomplished and continues to do in us.
3. We Have No Confidence in the Flesh
We place no trust in outward appearances, religious rituals, or worldly credentials. Our confidence lies solely in Christ’s finished work on the cross. We don’t measure ourselves against others, for all have fallen short (Rom 3:23). Our righteousness isn’t earned through performance but imputed through faith (2Co 5:21), liberating us from self-righteousness and the burden of comparison (2Co 10:7, 12).
Living in Grace, Not Confusion
Paul’s words in Philippians 3:3 don’t blur the lines between the Body of Christ and Israel—they illuminate our distinct, grace-based relationship with God. Our circumcision is a spiritual act, marking us as His children through faith. We worship in spirit, rejoice in our Savior, and reject any confidence in the flesh. This is the essence of grace—complete, unearned, and transformative. Let us embrace this truth, living in its freedom, and resist the error of mixing law with grace or confusing our identity with Israel’s.
