Galatians 6:15 – Circumcision Was Never Abolished.

Brief Summary

Sharing how Galatians 6:15-16 does not in any place state that circumcision has been abolished – rather it is emphasising the importance of a person being made new (2 Cor 5:17).

This newness includes a new heart and God’s Holy Spirit causing a person to walk in His ways (Ezekiel 36:26-28, Acts 15:8-9, 2 Corinthians 5:17).

Begin

Another commonly misinterpreted passage of Holy Scripture is Galatians 6:15-16 – it says;

¹⁵ For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
¹⁶ And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
Galatians 6:15-16 NASB

This passage in no way abolishes circumcision or the rest of the law of Moses.

In its correct context the text is highlighting how a ‘new creation’ (a new creature) is essential, and of the highest importance for eternal life without end, at resurrection.

Amongst other items, this ‘new creature’, includes the receiving of a new heart of flesh and G-d’s Holy Spirit in a person causing them to walk in His ways;

²⁶ And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
²⁷ And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
Ezekiel 36:26-27 ESV

This newness as described above, is a free gift which is included in what is known as the;

‘…new covenant…’
(Jeremiah 31:31, Hebrews 8:8).

Also included in the ‘new covenant’ is the complete forgiveness of a person’s sins;

‘…I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more….’
(Jeremiah 31:34 ESV).

 A person receives this by believing in Christ, by believing that the holy God raised His Son the Lord Jesus (Yehoshua) Christ from the dead – as this sinless man is the one given to enact and mediate the new covenant – it says;

‘…I will give you as a covenant for the people…’
(Isaiah 42:6 ESV)

‘…I will keep you and give you as a covenant to the people…’
(Isaiah 49:8 ESV)

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
1 Timothy 2:5 KJV

Thus, this newness is found believing in Christ (Messiah);

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV

and is also known as being ‘born again’/’born from above’;

‘…Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.’
(John 3:3, 3:6 KJV)

May the holy G-d bless you beyond maximum, believing in His risen Son the Lord Jesus Christ (Adonai Yehoshua HaMoshiach). Amen.