Bible Strands
Ephesians 2:11
Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh and called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision (that done in the body by human hands)—
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to Gentile believers in Ephesus, interrupting his theological exposition to command them to recall their pre-conversion status.
The words — μνημονεύετε (mnēmoneuete) literally means "do remember," and Διὸ (Dio) translates to "Therefore."
The thread — The text says the audience must remember that they were formerly Gentiles in the flesh, labeled "uncircumcised" by those practicing physical circumcision. This recall mirrors the parallel warnings in Colossians 2:11, Colossians 2:13, and Colossians 3:11 about Christ's work nullifying ethnic and ritual divisions.
Why it lands — The verse demands a clear-eyed assessment of one's past spiritual condition before Christ. It requires the reader to stop minimizing former separation from God and to stop measuring spiritual worth by external markers.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
Cross-references
- Colossians 2:11 In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands.
- Colossians 2:13 When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses,
- Colossians 3:11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all.
- Romans 2:28 A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical.
- Galatians 6:12 Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ.
- Jeremiah 9:25 “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will punish all who are circumcised only in the flesh—
- 1 Corinthians 6:11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
- 1 Corinthians 12:2 You know that when you were pagans, you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.
- Philippians 3:3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—
- Colossians 1:21 Once you were alienated from God and were hostile in your minds, engaging in evil deeds.