Colossians 2:11

In whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of flesh, in the circumcision of Christ.

Circumcision not made with hands ... The reference to baptism in the next verse has sent some of the commentators into orbit, alleging all kinds of wild speculations designed to eliminate Christian baptism as the gateway to all "spiritual blessings in Christ." It is refreshing to find Ellis cutting the bud out of such notions with the following:

There is no direct analogy between Christian baptism and the "old age" rite of circumcision. Circumcision here is the death of Christ (clearly a metaphorical reference - JBC), by which he wrought severance from the old age, cleansing from sin, and reconciliation to God.[36]

If circumcision should be made a type of baptism, then only men could be baptized; it would have to take place on the eighth day of their lives; there could be no prior conditions such as faith, repentance or confession; and it could be received only by those already in covenant relationship with the Lord; and how could that be applied to an eight-day-old infant?

The obvious reference to the death of Christ (which was the metaphorical circumcision referred to) in this verse naturally raised the question in Paul's thought of just how men are enabled to participate in the death of Christ, share its benefits, and receive its blessings. That prompted the immediate reference to baptism. (Compare with Romans 6:3-5).

THE CIRCUMCISION IN CHRIST

Colossians 2:11 is more easily understood if the intermediate phrases are omitted from the principal statement in the passage which is:

"In whom (Christ) we were also circumcised ... in the circumcision of Christ."

The Christian is dead "in Christ." "If one died for all, then all died" (2 Corinthians 5:14). This means that the penalty of death (due to all sin) was paid by Christ who died for all. As members of his "spiritual body," Christians are, in a genuine sense "in him," identified with him, and as Christ they are dead, having been crucified with him, a status they received when they were baptized into his death."

Christians are also "perfect" in Christ (Colossians 1:28,29). This perfection, like his death, belongs to Christians, not through achievement by themselves, but through their status "in Christ."

Exactly the same is true of the circumcision mentioned here. "In Christ," Christians were not merely "circumcised"; but they also kept perfectly the entire Law of Moses, not by actually observing all those regulations, but by being "in Christ," totally identified with him, being actually his "spiritual body." All of this is plainly said when Colossians 2:11 is read without the descriptive phrases. Our circumcision is "in the circumcision of Christ."

See my Commentary on Romans, Romans 4:11 for more on circumcision.