(11) In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: (12) Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (13) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (14) Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; (15) And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
On the subject of circumcision, to which these verses refer, I do not think it necessary to enlarge, having already dwelt upon it on, Romans second and sixth Chapter s. I would only in addition, take occasion from what is here said, to observe, how needful it is to eye Christ in all. The circumcision made with hands, and the uncircumcision made without hands, had Christ for their sole object. The circumcision of the Jew, and the baptism of the Gentile, both looked to Him, centered in Him, and in Him had their accomplishment. All but Christ is shadow. He alone is the substance.
I detain the Reader at the expression in the close of this paragraph, to remark, that when it is said of Christ having spoiled principalities and powers, and made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it; the original is much stronger, for it saith, triumphing over them in himself meaning, that his triumphs were personal. Jesus took the glory to himself. And the margin of the Bible very properly hath so retained it. It is always blessed to eye Christ's Person in all, for his Person, in all the work of redemption, is the glorious object of our - faith and hope. See Colossians 1:20 and Commentary.