Devine Scripture

Colossians 2:11

What does Colossians 2:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Colossians 2:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Colossians 2:11 means

In Christ, believers undergo a circumcision “not made with hands”—a spiritual cutting away of the old, sinful self. This is the “circumcision of Christ,” not a physical rite but the decisive putting off of the “body of the flesh.” Union with Jesus means a real inward renewal, not merely external conformity. What physical circumcision signified under the old covenant—belonging to God—Christ accomplishes in the heart. Therefore, insisting on physical ceremonies as necessary for fullness misses the point. The gospel provides the reality those signs only anticipated: God’s people marked by an inward work of grace through their union with the crucified and risen Lord.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

In whom you had a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

In whom also you are circumcised with circumcision not made by hand in despoiling of the body of the flesh: but in the circumcision of Christ.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

in whom also ye have been circumcised with circumcision not done by hand, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of the Christ;

Context

After affirming the believer’s completeness in Christ (verse 10), Paul now describes that union using covenant imagery. Verse 11 contrasts spiritual circumcision with human rites, countering pressures to adopt external markers. Verse 12 will continue with the baptismal image of burial and resurrection with Christ, showing how believers share in His saving work. These images lay the groundwork for the rich description of forgiveness and victory in verses 13–15.

v.10and in him ye are made full, who is the head of all principality and power:

v.11This passage

v.12having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 2:29

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

  • Romans 6:6

    knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin;

  • Deuteronomy 30:6

    And Jehovah thy God will circumcise thy heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love Jehovah thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

  • Acts 7:48

    Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in houses made with hands; as saith the prophet,

  • Galatians 2:20

    I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.

  • Deuteronomy 10:16

    Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.

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