64 Cf. Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:25-27.
63It is because in Christ there is neither circumcision nor uncircumcision (cf. Col. 3:11) that the distinction is abrogated not only between Jew and Gentile but also between male and female, in the sense of Gal. 3:28.
64Cf. Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:25-27.
65“The circumcision of Christ is then the circumcision which belongs to Christ, which is given by him, which brings forgiveness of sins and thus makes it possible for people to live ethically in a new way” (E. Schweizer, Colossians, ad loc., p. 143). For the view that “it is better to regard the statement as denoting the circumcision that Christ underwent, that is, his crucifixion,” see P. T. O’Brien, ad loc. (p. 117).
66Gk. ἀπέϰδυσɩς;. No independent instance of this compound is attested; it could be a Pauline coinage. Cf. the verb ἀπεϰδύομαɩ in v. 15 and Col. 3:9. The double prefix gives special emphasis: “stripping right off.”
67Cf. Col. 1:22 for τò σѽμα τῆς; σαϱϰóς; (p. 78 with n. 182).
68E. Käsemann, “A Primitive Christian Baptismal Liturgy,” p. 162.
69Cf. Col. 3:9-10; Eph. 4:22-24; Rom. 13:14. In Rom. 6:6; Gal. 2:20; 5:24 Paul speaks of “crucifying” instead of “putting off.”
70J. A. T. Robinson, The Body, p. 31.