Circumcision and the New Covenant

Barnabas, The Epistle of Barnabas Direct teaching

...derness." Therefore He has circumcised our ears so that we might hear His word and believe, for the circumcision in which they trusted is abolished. For He declared that circumcision was not of the flesh, but they transgressed because an evil angel deluded them. He says to them, "These things says the Lord your God"—(here I find a new commandment)—"Sow not among thorns, but circumcise yourselves to the Lord." And why does He speak thus: "Circumcise the stubbornness of your heart, and harden not your neck?" And again: "Behold, says the Lord, all the nations are uncircumcised in the flesh, but this people are uncircumcised in heart." But you will say, "Yea, truly the people are circumcised for a seal." But so also is every Syrian and Arab, and all the priests of idols: are these then also within the bond of His covenant? Yes, the Egyptians also practice circumcision. Learn then, my children, about all things richly, that Abraham, the first who commanded circumcision, looking forward in spirit to Jesus, practiced that rite, having received the mysteries of the three letters. For [the Scripture] says, "And Abraham circumcised ten, and eight, and three hundred men of his household."

Archelaus, Disputation with Manes Direct teaching

...rt against his neighbor. For it is only the circumcision of the heart that brings salvation. Merely fleshly circumcision can be of no benefit to men unless they also have the spiritual circumcision. Listen also to what Scripture says about this: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." What need, then, is there for me to labor and suffer, since I have been told the short way of life, and know that it will be mine if only I can be pure in heart? And this fully agrees with the truth we have now learned: if a person succeeds in keeping the two commandments, he fulfills the whole law and the prophets. Moreover, Paul, the chief of the apostles, after all these sayings, gives us even clearer instruction on this subject when he says, "Or do you seek proof of Christ who speaks in me?" What then do I have to do with circumcision, seeing that I may be justified in uncircumcision? For it is written: "Is any man circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Is any man uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. For neither of these is anything, but only the keeping of the commandments of God." Therefore, since circumcision is unable to save anyone, it is not greatly to be in

Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Direct teaching

...y from your souls, as God commands you to be washed in this laver, and be circumcised with the true circumcision. We would also follow the physical circumcision, the Sabbaths, and all the feasts, if we did not understand why they were commanded to you—specifically, because of your transgressions and the hardness of your hearts. If we patiently endure everything plotted against us by wicked people and demons, so that even amid unimaginable cruelties, death, and torments, we pray for mercy for those who inflict such things upon us, and do not wish to retaliate against anyone, just as the new Lawgiver commanded us, then how is it, Trypho, that we would not observe those rites that do not harm us—speaking of physical circumcision, Sabbaths, and feasts?

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

To illustrate: the noble apostle circumcised Timothy, though he loudly declared and wrote that circumcision made with hands profits nothing. But he did this so that he might not, by dragging those Hebrews who were reluctant listeners all at once away from the law to the circumcision of the heart through faith, compel them to break away from the synagogue. By accommodating himself to the Jews, he became a Jew, that he might gain all. He, then, who submits to accommodate himself merely for the benefit of his neighbors, for the salvation of those for whose sake he accommodates himself, not taking part in any dissimulation through the peril hanging over the just from those who envy them, such a one by no means acts under compulsion. But for the benefit of his neighbors alone, he will do things that he would not have done primarily, if he did not do them on their account. Such a one gives himself for the Church, for the disciples whom he has begotten in faith, as an example to those who are capable of receiving the supreme divine arrangement of the Instructor who loves man and loves God, for confirmation of the truth of his words, and for the exercise of love to the Lord. Such a one is

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Direct teaching

He said that this second circumcision would be not of the flesh, as the first was, which the Jews practice even now, but of the heart and spirit, which was delivered by Christ, who was the true Jesus.

Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Direct teaching

nor is he a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is that 'circumcision' which is outward in the flesh: but he is a Jew who is one 'inwardly;' and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the let­ter.

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

5. For which reason we think that no one is to be hindered from obtaining grace by that law which was already ordained, and that spiritual circumcision ought not to be hindered by carnal circumcision, but that absolutely every man is to be admitted to the grace of Christ, since Peter also in the Acts of the Apostles speaks, and says, The Lord has said to me that I should call no man common or unclean.

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Direct teaching

This is the circumcision of the heart of which the prophets speak, which God transferred from the mortal flesh to the soul, which alone is about to endure.

Tertullian, Against Marcion Direct teaching

Now it is quite within the purpose of the God of the law that circumcision should be that of the heart, not in the flesh;

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

Nor be circumcised in your flesh, but let the circumcision which is of the heart by the Spirit suffice for the faithful;

Romans 2:29 Direct teaching

But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Deuteronomy 30:6 Direct teaching

And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.

Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Supporting witness

And, furthermore, the inability of the female sex to receive fleshly circumcision, proves that this circumcision has been given for a sign, and not for a work of righteousness.

Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Supporting witness

Then shall their uncircumcised heart be turned. For the circumcision according to the flesh, which is from Abraham, was given for a sign;

Genesis 17:11 Background

and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you.

Genesis 17:14 Background

And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.”

Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Supporting witness

...salvation shall go forth, and nations shall trust in My arm?' And by Jeremiah, concerning this same new covenant, He thus speaks: 'Behold, the days come, says the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; not according to the covenant I made with their fathers on the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt.' If, therefore, God proclaimed a new covenant that was to be established, and this for a light to the nations, we see and are convinced that people approach God, leaving their idols and other unrighteousness, through the name of Him who was crucified, Jesus Christ, and hold firm to their confession even unto death, and maintain piety. Moreover, by the works and by the accompanying miracles, it is possible for all to understand that He is the new law, and the new covenant, and the hope of those who from every people wait for the good things of God. For the true spiritual Israel, and descendants of Judah, Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham (who was approved of and blessed by God on account of his faith, and called the father of many nations, despite being uncircumcised), are we who have been led to God through

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Direct teaching

In the same way, Isaiah also prophesied about the ending of circumcision. He says, “Thus says the Lord to the men of Judah who live at Jerusalem: Break up your unplowed ground, and do not sow among thorns. Circumcise yourselves to the Lord your God, and take away the foreskins of your heart, lest my fury come out like fire and burn in a way that no one can quench.” Moses himself also says in Deuteronomy 30:6, “In the last days the Lord will circumcise your heart, so that you may love the Lord your God.” Jesus the son of Nun, his successor, also said this: “And the Lord said to Jesus, Make very sharp flint knives, and sit and circumcise the children of Israel a second time.” He said that this second circumcision would not be of the flesh, as the first one was, which the Jews still practice even now, but of the heart and spirit. This was given by Christ, who was the true Jesus. For the prophet does not say, “And the Lord said to me,” but “to Jesus,” so that he might show that God was not speaking about him, but about Christ, to whom God was then speaking. For that Jesus was a figure of Christ. When he was first called Auses, Moses, foreseeing the future, ordered that he should be cal

Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness

.... But why say more, when the Creator by the same prophet foretells the renovation more openly and clearly than the light itself? "Remember not the former things, neither consider the things of old." The old things have passed away, and new things are arising. "Behold, I will do new things, which shall now spring forth." Isaiah 43:18-19. So also by Jeremiah: "Break up for yourselves new pastures, and sow not among thorns, and circumcise yourselves in the foreskin of your heart." And in another passage: "Behold, the days come, says the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Jacob, and with the house of Judah; not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I arrested their dispensation, in order to bring them out of the land of Egypt." He thus shows that the ancient covenant is only temporary, when He points to its change, and also when He promises that it will be followed by an eternal one. For by Isaiah He says: "Hear me, and you shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you," adding, "the sure mercies of David," Isaiah 55:3, in order to show that that covenant was to run its course in Christ. That He was of the family

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Direct teaching

... moon is not visible, they do not keep the Sabbath, which is called the first; nor do they keep the new moon, nor the feast of unleavened bread, nor the feast, nor the great day." Then he gives the final answer to the question: "Do that also, learning in a holy and righteous way what we deliver to you. Keep these things, worshiping God in a new way, through Christ. For we find in the Scriptures, as the Lord says: 'Behold, I make with you a new covenant, not as I made with your fathers at Mount Horeb.' Jeremiah 31:31-32; Hebrews 8:8-10" He made a new covenant with us, for what belonged to the Greeks and Jews is old. But we, who worship Him in a new way, in the third form, are Christians. For clearly, I think, he showed that the one and only God was known by the Greeks in a Gentile way, by the Jews in a Jewish way, and by us in a new and spiritual way.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Supporting witness

...e drink to my chosen people, my people whom I have acquired, that they may show forth my praise,"—clearly announced the freedom which characterizes the new covenant, and the new wine which is put into new bottles, meaning the faith which is in Christ, by which He has proclaimed the way of righteousness that arises in the desert, and the streams of the Holy Spirit in a dry land, to give water to the chosen people of God, whom He has acquired, that they might show forth His praise, but not that they might blaspheme Him who made these things, that is, God.

Tertullian, An Answer to the Jews Supporting witness

a circumcision carnal foretold, and a circumcision spiritual pre-indicated;

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

which figure ceased when by and by the truth came, and spiritual circumcision was given to us.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Supporting witness

and [by this declaration] he prophesies the new covenant at the same time.

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Supporting witness

You have loved righteousness, and hated iniquity. This is my new covenant written in the old letter.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

Jeremiah 31:31-32; Hebrews 8:8-10 He made a new covenant with us;

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Supporting witness

and He gathered into the one faith of Abraham those who, from either covenant, are eligible for God’s building.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Supporting witness

And He gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so [Abraham] begat Isaac.” And the rest of his words announce the same God, who was with Joseph and with the patriarchs, and who spake with Moses.

Barnabas, Connection to Romans 4:11 Supporting witness

I have made you the father of those nations who believe in the Lord while in a state of uncircumcision.

Romans 4:11 Direct teaching

And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also,

Acts 7:8 Direct teaching

And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.