THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
However, the misguided and foolish Jews, remaining in darkness despite the arrival of the truth, continue to linger beside the lamp while the radiance of truth has fully illuminated the world. They cling to spiritual milk when it is already time for solid nourishment. These individuals refuse to heed the blessed Apostle Paul, who proclaims: “And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of righteousness through faith, which he had in uncircumcision” (Rom. 4:11). Observe how the apostle instructs us that Abraham received circumcision as a sign, while not yet being circumcised, he displayed righteousness through faith.
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This is so a Jew cannot claim, "Did not Abraham become justified through circumcision?" For this reason, the blessed apostle, who was educated under Gamaliel and meticulously learned the law, cautions, “Do not think, shameless Jews, that circumcision by itself justified him; it was his faith that justified him before he was circumcised: ‘Abram believed the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness’” (Gen. 15:6). Thus, having already been justified by faith in God, Abraham received the sign of circumcision afterward; God first altered the letter of his name and then commanded circumcision, demonstrating that He selects and draws near to a righteous man solely due to their great virtue, along with their descendants. Just as individuals who purchase slaves often change their names and attire to set them apart and reveal ownership, so the God of all humanity, wishing to distinguish Abraham from others, added a letter to indicate he would be the father of many nations and instituted circumcision for his people, setting them apart from all other nations.
Yet, if in their blindness they still cling to the fleshly circumcision, disregarding Paul’s words, “If ye be circumcised, it profiteth you nothing for Christ” (Gal. 5:2), the Lord came to abolish such practices and fulfilled the law entirely to put an end to future observances of the law. This prompted blessed Paul to declare, “You who justify yourselves by the law... have fallen from grace” (Gal. 5:4). Therefore, we shall heed the blessed Paul and embrace the uncircumcision of the flesh. He informs us, “In Him you are,” meaning, “and are circumcised by the circumcision of the uncircumcised, by the removal of the sinful body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ.” Moreover, to clarify what this circumcision entails, he adds: “Having been buried with Him in baptism” (Col. 2:11, 12). Just as their sign of circumcision distinguished them as God’s chosen people, the baptismal circumcision serves as a clear distinction between the faithful and the unfaithful among us. “In Him ye are,” states the apostle, “and are circumcised by the circumcision of the uncircumcision, by the removal of the sinful body of the flesh.” While circumcision involves putting away the flesh, baptism embodies the removal of sins. Therefore, having shed the sinful flesh and donned a clean garment, let us, dear friends, pursue holiness; overcoming fleshly desires, let us strive for virtue. Guided by grace, let us live like him who existed under the law, or even prior to the law itself, so that by following his example, we may be deemed worthy of entering into his embrace and receiving eternal blessings, through the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory, power, and honor, along with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.