ἀκροβυστία, which is unknown to profane Greek but is used in the LXX, is taken to be an Alexandrian corruption of ἀκρο- ποσθία.---ὡπὸ τῆς λεγομένης περιτομῆς ἐν σαρκὶ χειροποιήτου: by that which is called Circumcision, in the flesh, made by hand. Sothe RV. Better perhaps “ by the so-called Circumcision, performed by hand in the flesh” (EIl.). Wicl. gives “ made by hand in flesh”. A description of the Jew, given in a tone of deprecia- tion. Hence probably the change from οἱ λεγόμενοι to τῆς λεγομένης περιτομῆς. This sentence also is introduced with reference to the poverty of the previous condition of these Godless, Christless Gentiles. The point seems to be that the inferiority in which they were held, and which was expressed by the contemptuous name Uncircumcision, meant all the more as it was fastened on them by those to whom, while proudly calling themselves the Circumcision, the distinction was nothing more than an outward manual act performed on their bodies. The rite when its spiritual significance and use are in view, is spoken of with honour by Paul (Rom. iv. 11). As amere performance, a barrier between Jew and Gentile, a yoke imposed by the former on the latter, a thing made essential to salvation, he spoke of it in terms of scorn and repu- diation.
Ver. 12. ὅτι fre ἐν τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ χωρὶς Χριστοῦ: that ye were at that time apart from Christ. The sentence interrupted by the description of those addressed as τὰ ἔθνη κ.τ.λ. is now re- sumed—Remember, I say, that ye were. The τῷ καιρῷ, corresponding to the pre- vious ποτέ, refers to their pre-Christian days. In such phrases it is usual to insert ἐν (Donald., Greek Gram., p. 487), and it is inserted by the TR (following AD'FG, εἴς). But time when is also often enough expressed by the simple dat. (Win.-Moult., pp. 273, 274), and the balance of evidence is largely against the presence of the prep. here. The χωρὶς Χριστοῦ is the predicate to Fre, and is not a defining clause = “ being at that time without Christ” (De Wette,
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