Ephesians 2:11

“Wherefore remember, that once ye, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands”

“Wherefore remember”: “Paul was asking them to apply the truths he had presented (Ephesians 2:1-10) to their own personal circumstances. It is good for men to recollect what it was like to be in sin. Such meditation produces humility, penitence, gratitude, and love. All these qualities are essential to every Christian” (Caldwell pp. 87-88). “Gentiles are to remember with gratitude that they are no longer the despised people they used to be” (Boles p. 229). “That once”: This had been their past condition. “Gentiles in the flesh”: “Born Gentiles” (Phi). “Gentiles, according to all outward reckoning” (Knox). Keeping in mind an accurate picture of the past can be. very profitable exercise (Romans 6:21; 1 Timothy 1:13). We tend to get into trouble when we start "rewriting" our own past. Often people will start romanticizing the "old life" (Numbers 2:5). Pride and selfishness creeps in and claims "I wasn't that bad”. As. result preachers are often commanded to "remind" the brethren (1 Timothy 4:6; 2 Timothy 2:14; Titus 3:1). “The Gentile Christians are to remember (present, durative imperative)” (Lenski p. 430).

“Who are called”: There was no love lost between Jews and Gentiles. Each group "called" or used reproachful language and terms when mentioning the other group. “Uncircumcision”: “The Jew's name for the Gentiles was not as polite as it appears in English. For the Jews this was. mark of terrible shame, to be regarded with contempt” (Boles p. 229). “Called circumcision”: The Gentiles threw the name back. “The irony of this situation is that Greek men were proud of their foreskin and thought that Jewish circumcision was. disgusting mutilation” (Boles p. 229). Life for the Gentile had not always been easy, especially when they lived around Jewish people. “They thought of. pagan, perhaps. little more than animal in nature, who was not worthy of concern much less affection” (Caldwell p. 88). “The pious Jew was ever conscious of the privileges which he had inherited: daily he thanked God that he had not been made. Gentile” (Bruce p. 292). “The Jew had an immense contempt for the Gentile. They said that the Gentiles were created by God to be fuel for the fires of Hell; that God loved only Israel of all the nations that He had made; that the best of the serpents crushed, the best of the Gentiles killed. It was not even lawful to render help to. Gentile woman in childbirth, for that would be to bring another Gentile into the world. The barrier between Jew and Gentile was absolute. If. Jew married. Gentile, the funeral of that Jew was carried out. Such contact with. Gentile was equivalent of death” (Barclay p. 107). “Made by hands”: “Which is performed in the flesh by human hands” (NASV). Which indicates that. "greater" circumcision existed, that is, the cutting away the selfishness and pride which can surround the human heart. This circumcision is performed when. heart is receptive to the will of God (Colossians 2:11; Romans 2:28; Deuteronomy 30:6).