Paul talks about circumcision in Col 2:10-11. Let’s read:
And in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;
Head Over All Rule and Authority
The term for head is “κεφαλή” (kephalē) and it emphasizes His position as the sovereign head over all rulers and authorities—whether in heaven, on earth, or even in the spiritual realm. He reigns supremely over all forms of authority, making Him the ultimate source of power and dominion. His authority extends universally, over both visible and invisible realms (Colossians 1:16-18).
We Wield His Authority
As believers, our union with Christ in the Spirit gives us the privilege to share in His authority. While it is His authority we operate in, this union allows us to act with the same power and confidence. This is why Jesus said in Matt 28:18-19 that all authority has been given to me, THEREFORE GO! We are to use that authority.
And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
Wield it Like Him
A lot of people when they hear that we should use authority get a bit nervous because they think that is pride or arrogance. But you see Jesus using authority, and the Bible clearly says as the Father sent Jesus, he sent us, moreover it’s a mandate in Mark 16 that believers shall lay hands on the sick.
- Jesus taught with divine authority that amazed His listeners (Matthew 7:28-29).
- Jesus healed with authority various diseases, demonstrating His authority and power (Matthew 8:16).
- Jesus expelled demonic forces with authority, showing His supremacy over the spiritual realm (Mark 1:23-27).
- Jesus exercised authority over nature, calmed storms and walked on water, revealing His mastery over creation (Mark 4:35-41).
- Jesus showed authority over death. He brought the dead back to life, proving His power over death (John 11:38-44).
- Jesus showed authority to lay down and take up His life: Jesus declared His authority over His own death and resurrection (John 10:18).
In Christ, we are empowered to reflect His authority in spiritual and earthly matters, exercising dominion over sin and darkness while living as ambassadors of His kingdom (2 Corinthians 5:20). This is our calling as part of “ministers of reconciliation” (2 Cor 5:18-20).
It’s not enough that we understand that the one with all authority lives in us, but it is important that we use the authority for the same purposes He used it too.
In Him, We Were Circumcised
Now let’s continue.
The phrase “the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ” in Colossians 2:11 shows the spiritual reality that our sinful nature has been crucified with Christ. This “circumcision made without hands” highlights the transformative work of Christ in the believer’s life, bringing freedom from sin and a new spiritual identity. What is this circumcision? It is the Crucifixion of the Old Self.
Romans 6:6 declares: “For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with.”
The “old self” refers to who we were before faith in Jesus—spiritually dead, separated from God, and enslaved to sin. Through faith, our old self was crucified with Christ (Rom 6:6), and we became new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). This means that the old identity is gone, and we now live in the newness of life.
So, why do we still feel like sinning sometimes, read this.
No Longer a Sinful Nature
Some argue that believers still have a sinful nature and are in the process of being sanctified. They say they ARE a sinner saved by grace. However, Scripture makes it clear that:
The body of sin has been done away with (Romans 6:6).
We no longer have a sinful nature; instead, our bodies are instruments of righteousness, crucified with Christ. Believers are called to “reckon” themselves dead to sin and alive to God (Romans 6:11). The problem arises when we fail to renew our minds or “reckon” this reality, allowing the flesh’s influence to deceive us. This is how you put to death the deeds of the flesh.
Putting to Death the Deeds of the Flesh
While the body of sin has been crucified with Christ, believers are instructed to actively “put to death the deeds of the flesh”:
Romans 8:13: “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
Galatians 5:16: “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
This is accomplished by walking in the Spirit, which involves dependence on Him and aligning our lives with God’s truth.
Inclusion in Christ’s Death
Our inclusion in Christ means that when He died, we died with Him, freeing us from the bondage of sin:
Romans 6:7: “Anyone who has died has been set free from sin.”
This freedom is a core reality of our new identity. We are no longer slaves to sin but alive in Christ.
Circumcision of the Heart
Romans 2:29 describes circumcision as “that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter.” This circumcision made without hands refers to the removal of the “body of flesh”—our sinful nature. It is an inward transformation by the Spirit that aligns our hearts with God’s will, giving us the ability to live righteously. This has already happened, and you just have to live in it.
It is arguably the most significant event in the transformation of a believer. Once we realize this, it will change the way we deal with temptations, the way we see ourselves and it will help us live victorious.
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