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(Christ) from the dead (Rom. 10: 9; 4: 24). The two classes--sinners and righteous, are
seen in the light of resurrection to be the dead and the living, and to anticipate the
teaching of Rom. 5:--in Adam or in Christ.
While, therefore, the details may well exhaust the mind of the ablest, the issues are
simple. Let us keep things in their proper place, put off the old, put on the new, and walk
worthily.
"Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous,
even as He is righteous" (I John 3: 7).
#21.
Circumcision, or the repudiation of the flesh.
(3: 30 - 4: 25).
pp. 155 160
However strange and even repulsive the rite of circumcision may appear to us, there is
no doubt that to the Jew it ranked as of the highest importance. It conferred a sense of
superiority and dignity that we are convinced was utterly foreign to its intention. Seeing
that so much that is vital to our peace is connected with this typical rite, we must not
allow ourselves to pass the subject by because it may have somewhat peculiar features.
With the complete revelation of truth in our hands, we are possessed of the
inspired comment upon circumcision which will help us in dealing with Rom. 4: This
comment is found in Phil. 3: 3, and is immediately followed by a context parallel to
that of Rom. 4::--
/ which worship God in Spirit,
We are the circumcision
{
and boast in Christ Jesus,
\ and have no confidence in the flesh.
These three features are inherent in the type of circumcision. When writing to the
Romans, the apostle takes up the case of Abraham, and cites the testimony of David
because of the number of Jewish members in the church at Rome. Writing to the
Philippians, however, he cites neither Abraham, David, nor O.T. Scripture, but instead
gives his own case as an example:--
"If any other man thinketh that he has ground of confidence in the flesh, I more.
1. Circumcised the eighth day.
2. Of the stock of Israel.
3. Of the tribe of Benjamin.
4. An Hebrew of the Hebrews.
5. As to the law, a Pharisee.
6. As to zeal, a persecutor of the church.
7. As to the righteousness of the law, blameless.
But what was gain to me, that I counted loss for Christ. Yea, doubtless, I count all things
but loss because of the super-eminence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for