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Circumcision #40
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https://content.bibletranslationtools.org/WycliffeAssociates/en_bc/src/branch/master/articles/circumcise.md
Issue 1
People with circumcised hearts are people who have stopped sinning. They serve God completely....
Comment from translator: not good parallel...circumcized hearts is that something has been removed as the skin in physical circumcision...what was removed from their hearts was their sinful nature and God replaced that with a holy nature because of the indwelling of His Holy Spirit. People with circumcised hearts are people who have had their old nature cut off from them and now live with a new nature from God. They strive to serve God completely...
I am not sure the translator's suggestion is helpful here. This sentence is in the "gloss" section, so we do not normally give detailed explanations, but I am open to adding more explanation in the "more information" section if needed. Also, do we know that "circumcised hearts" refer specifically to the removal of sin nature.
Issue 2
Circumcision was also a metaphor. In Scripture, it said that some people had uncircumcised hearts. This happened when people worshiped idols or did not do what God told them to do (see: Leviticus 26:41). In Scripture, people with circumcised hearts truly loved God (see: Deuteronomy 10:12-13, 16; Jeremiah 4:4). They honored him. God said he would punish those who were circumcised only in the foreskin but not in the heart. That is, God will punish those who do not do what he told them to do even if they have been physically circumcised (see: Jeremiah 9:25-26)
Comment from translator. This seems like a jumbled mix of ideas and theolgies. If writer sticks with the sinful nature vs the holy nature and uses strives versus a complete thought such as "they honored him". Then it becomes clear to reader and relatable.
I'm not sure where ideas and theologies are jumbled. It seems straight forward to me, but I am probably the one who wrote it. Do either of you have suggestions on how to clarify this paragraph?
Issue 1
People with circumcised hearts are people who have stopped sinning.
I don't find this statement helpful. We all still sin.
I wonder if the translator was using this verse to define circumcision of the heart:
Colossians 2:11 - In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,
I've been looking at the following verses in the ESV to see if they help me understand it:
Deuteronomy 10:16 - Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn.
Deuteronomy 30:6 - 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.
Jeremiah 4:4 - Circumcise yourselves to the LORD; remove the foreskin of your hearts, O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest my wrath go forth like fire, and burn with none to quench it, because of the evil of your deeds.”
Jeremiah 6:10 To whom shall I speak and give warning,
that they may hear?
Behold, their ears are uncircumcised,
they cannot listen;
behold, the word of the LORD is to them an object of scorn;
they take no pleasure in it.
Acts 7:51-53 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. ... 53 you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”
Romans 2:26 - So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?
Romans 2:29 - But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
Romans 4:11 - He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well,
Romans 4:12 - and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
1 Corinthians 7:19 - For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.
Galatians 5:6 - For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
Galatians 6:15 - For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
Philippians 3:3 - For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— .... 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith
Perhaps it would be helpful to say:
People with circumcised hearts are people who want to stop sinning against God. They want to obey him.
or
People with circumcised hearts are people who trust God and want to obey him.
Issue 2. I don't see it paragraph as a jumble of idea and theology, but perhaps something like these might work.
Circumcision was also a metaphor. When God's people were stubborn and repeatedly disobeyed him and did evil things, he told them to circumcise their hearts. He wanted them to fear him, obey, love him, and serve him with all their hearts (Deuteronomy 10:12, 13,16; Jeremiah 4:4) God also said that he would circumcise their hearts so that they would love him with all their hearts. (Deuteronomy 30:6) When people did not want to listen to God's word, he said that their ears were uncircumcised (Jeremiah 6:10)
New Testament believers continued to use the circumcision metaphor. Stephen said that the the stiff-necked people who always resisted the Holy Spirit were uncircumcised in heart and ears. They had received the law, but they did not keep it. (Acts 7:51-53). Paul wrote that the truly circumcised people are those who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and whose righteousness comes through faith in Christ (Philippians 3:3,9). Paul also wrote that physical circumcision is not the important thing. Rather it is important to keep God's commands, to do good works by faith and love, and to be a new creation (1 Corinthians 7:19; Galatians 5:6, 6:15). These appear to be marks of a person whose heart is circumcised.
Issue 1
I think that cirucmcision was a sign of faith or an outward expression of an inward faith. I think it is very problematic to say that (1) they have stopped sinning (1 John), or (2) no longer have a sin nature. Sin nature remains (Romans 5-8). I like Susan's second suggested wording.
Issue 2
I think this mostly resolves itself when you correct issue 1.
Issue 1
Susans' suggestions:
Perhaps it would be helpful to say:
People with circumcised hearts are people who want to stop sinning against God. They want to obey him.
or
People with circumcised hearts are people who trust God and want to obey him.
I am not sure these definitions work.
In Rom 7, Paul says before he received the Holy Spirit, he trusted God, believed the Law, and wanted to obey it, but he could not. So a person can want to obey God but still not have a circumcised heart.
What about something like this:
People with circumcised hearts are people who have received the Holy Spirit and are empowered to obey God.
Issue 2
I like Susan's suggestion, but I would rather keep it shorter. Maybe something like this:
Circumcision was also a metaphor. When God’s people were stubborn and repeatedly disobeyed him and did evil things, they were said to have uncircumcised hearts and ears (see: Jeremiah 6:10; Acts 7:51-52). God said he would circumcise people's hearts so they would obey him (see: Deuteronomy 30:6; Jeremiah 4:4). Paul wrote that the truly circumcised people are those who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and whose righteousness comes through faith in Christ (Philippians 3:3, 9; see also: 1 Corinthians 7:19; Galatians 5:6, 6:15).
I like John's suggestions for both issues.
But it seems like something is missing. How is circumcision of the heart a metaphor for having the Holy Spirit and being empowered to obey God?
Does Col 2:11 help?
In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,
In Deu 10:16 and Jer 4:4, God told people who were physically circumcised that they needed to circumcise their hearts.
Could it be that physical circumcision was a sign of being being part of a community that is in a covenant relationship with God, and circumcision of the heart describes the attitude or condition of the heart that truly submits to God's covenant?
I was trying to avoid getting too specific about the meaning of the metaphor. That's why I did not like the translator's suggestion that it is a metaphor for removing the sin nature. I am not sure we know exactly what the metaphor means. It is easier just to point to the result.
Maybe it is safe to say something like: "Sometimes 'circumcision' is used to talk about a person's inner attitude towards God and his commands."
That sounds great!
Made the changes in the repo and GL master.
Thanks.