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Ephesians 2:11 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
¹¹Therefore, remember that at one time you, people of the nations by fleshly descent, were the ones called “uncircumcision” by those called “circumcision,” which is made in the flesh by human hands,

This verse refers to the division between Jews and Gentiles in the early Christian church. At that time, Jews were considered to be the people of God, while Gentiles were outsiders of God’s covenant and considered to be “uncircumcised” (not physically circumcised according to the Jewish tradition).

This verse is reminding believers who were formerly Gentiles that they were once considered to be outsiders of God’s covenant and separate from His people. It is likely that these believers would have experienced prejudice and discrimination from some within the Jewish community because of their Gentile background.

Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles – This phrase is reminding the readers (who were likely Gentile believers in Christ) of their previous identity as Gentiles, or non-Jews.

In the flesh – The phrase “in the flesh” suggests that the readers were formerly living according to the desires and dictates of their physical bodies, rather than the Spirit of God.

Called the uncircumcision – The word “uncircumcision” is a derogatory term used by Jews to refer to Gentiles, who were not circumcised according to the Jewish law.

By what is called the circumcision – This phrase is likely referring to Jews, who were circumcised according to the Jewish law.

Which is made in the flesh by hands – This phrase emphasizes the physical nature of circumcision, which is performed on the flesh of the body using human hands.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is part of a larger passage in which the author of Ephesians is addressing the Gentile believers in the church at Ephesus. In this passage, the author is reminding the Gentile believers that they were once outsiders to the people of God, but have now been brought near through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The historical and cultural context of this verse is the early Christian church, which was primarily composed of Jewish believers. However, there were also Gentile believers who had converted to Christianity. These Gentile believers faced some discrimination from their Jewish counterparts, who referred to them as “the uncircumcision” because they were not circumcised according to the laws of Moses.

In this verse, the author is reminding the Gentile believers that their circumcision, or lack thereof, does not matter in the eyes of God. What matters is their faith in Jesus Christ and their inclusion in the people of God through his death and resurrection. The author is encouraging the Gentile believers to remember their past and to not let their former status as outsiders cause them to feel inferior or excluded.

Overall, this verse serves as a reminder of the reconciling work of Jesus, who brought Jews and Gentiles together as one people through His death and resurrection. It is a reminder that through faith in Jesus, believers from all backgrounds are able to be reconciled to God and become part of His people.