Ephesians 2:11--A Mere Mark in the Flesh

Ephesians Study

Chapter 2

Amplified Bible:

Ephesians 2:11 Therefore, remember that at one time you were Gentiles (heathens) in the flesh, called Uncircumcision by those who called themselves Circumcision, [itself a mere mark] in the flesh made by human hands.

There is so much humor in this verse!  It is plain to see that Paul does not think much of man’s ways to measure identity of self at this time.  One group thinks they are superior to the other group.  Why?  A mere mark in the flesh made by human hands.

God established circumcision.  It was to set apart His people.  They were to have been a witness to the entire world bringing the heathen to understanding and oneness with them.  In all that makes a Christian unique, the uniqueness may become a God replacing God.  Often, it is the experience that becomes God rather than God being found in the truth of God.  You have an experience of church attendance, church fellowship, tongues/no tongues, days of worship, rituals, creeds, and theology.  Has any of that done what God has done to bring us salvation and into Christ?

All of these things can become a mere mark in the flesh (spiritually) made by human hands.  We can take these things and set ourselves up as superior to others because they do not have this mark. It is funny by what we measure ourselves as “better than”…mere marks in the flesh.  I had never thought of it like this.  We are told that people will know we are Christians by how we love…love each other.  No measuring here!

Although these marks can lead to arrogance, it all starts out as an attempt to be “as good as.”  This world teaches us to “measure.”  That is how we know we are doing ok…if we have gotten the “A” or not, or the job, or the car, or the initials behind our name, or…  All of these, as good as they can be, are mere marks of the flesh.  They all tend to say, “I’ve got what you don’t have.”  We carry that tendency into the Church environment.  Does not getting nominated for a certain job in the church bring distress to self and bad feelings toward others?  It is because we are measuring not only ourselves but happiness by these externals.  Privilege, prestige, power.  All of these marks of the flesh are of human hands.  They are building a kingdom on earth and not heaven.  Obviously, there are positions that need to be filled.  It is not the job or position.  In and of itself these are not evil.  It is the motivation.  Am I measuring myself against another?  This is not where happiness is.  

"God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there.  There is no such thing.  --C. S. Lewis

You are everything already to God.  He gives us His life, His heart, His mind, His fulness.  No marks of the flesh.