Wherefore remember, that ye be in time past Gentiles
in
the flesh
This, with what follows in the next verse, the apostle puts the
converted Ephesians in mind of, in order to magnify the grace of
God in their conversion; and to humble them in a view of their
former state and condition; and to teach them that they could
never be saved by any works of theirs: particularly he would have
them call to mind, that they were in "time past Gentiles"; which
does not so much regard the nation and country they were of, for
in that sense they were Gentiles still; but their state and
condition; they had been very blind and ignorant, were Gentiles
that knew not God; they had been very wicked and profligate
sinners of the Gentiles; and they had been "Gentiles in the
flesh": not according to the flesh, or by birth, for so they were
then; but in the time of their unregeneracy they were carnal, and
minded the things of the flesh, walked after it, and fulfilled
the lusts, and did the works of it; particular respect seems to
be had to their uncircumcision in the flesh, to which
circumcision in the flesh is opposed in the next clause:
who are called uncircumcision by that which is called
circumcision
in the flesh made by hands;
that is, they were by way of reproach and contempt called
uncircumcised persons; than whom none were more abominable to the
Jews, and hated by them, who were called circumcised persons from
that circumcision which is outward, in the flesh, in a particular
part of the body; and which is done by the hands of a man, who
was called (lhwm) , "the
circumciser"; which any one might be, except a Gentile
F21; an Israelite adult and skilful was
preferred; yet these were not circumcised persons with that
circumcision that is inward, and is of the heart, in the Spirit,
and is made without the hands of men, and by the Spirit and power
of God.