Whether Circumcision Was Instituted in a Fitting Manner?
Objection 1: It seems that circumcision was instituted in an
unfitting manner. For as stated above (A. 1) a profession of faith
was made in circumcision. But none could ever be delivered from the
first man's sin, except by faith in Christ's Passion, according to
Rom. 3:25: "Whom God hath proposed to be a propitiation, through
faith in His blood." Therefore circumcision should have been
instituted forthwith after the first man's sin, and not at the time
of Abraham.
Obj. 2: Further, in circumcision man made profession of keeping the
Old Law, just as in Baptism he makes profession of keeping the New
Law; wherefore the Apostle says (Gal. 5:3): "I testify . . . to every
man circumcising himself, that he is a debtor to do the whole Law."
But the observance of the Law was not promulgated at the time of
Abraham, but rather at the time of Moses. Therefore it was unfitting
for circumcision to be instituted at the time of Abraham.
Obj. 3: Further, circumcision was a figure of, and a preparation for,
Baptism. But Baptism is offered to all nations, according to Matt.
28:19: "Going . . . teach ye all nations, baptizing them." Therefore
circumcision should have been instituted as binding, not the Jews
only, but also all nations.
Obj. 4: Further, carnal circumcision should correspond to spiritual
circumcision, as the shadow to the reality. But spiritual
circumcision which is of Christ, regards indifferently both sexes,
since "in Christ Jesus there is neither male nor female," as is
written Col. 3 [*Gal. 3:28]. Therefore the institution of
circumcision which concerns only males, was unfitting.
_On the contrary,_ We read (Gen. 17) that circumcision was instituted
by God, Whose "works are perfect" (Deut. 32:4).
_I answer that,_ As stated above (A. 1) circumcision was a
preparation for Baptism, inasmuch as it was a profession of faith in
Christ, which we also profess in Baptism. Now among the Fathers of
old, Abraham was the first to receive the promise of the future birth
of Christ, when it was said to him: "In thy seed shall all the
nations of the earth be blessed" (Gen. 22:18). Moreover, he was the
first to cut himself off from the society of unbelievers, in
accordance with the commandment of the Lord, Who said to him (Gen.
13:1): "Go forth out of thy country and from thy kindred." Therefore
circumcision was fittingly instituted in the person of Abraham.
Reply Obj. 1: Immediately after the sin of our first parent, on
account of the knowledge possessed by Adam, who was fully instructed
about Divine things, both faith and natural reason flourished in man
to such an extent, that there was no need for any signs of faith and
salvation to be prescribed to him, but each one was wont to make
protestation of his faith, by outward signs of his profession,
according as he thought best. But about the time of Abraham faith was
on the wane, many being given over to idolatry. Moreover, by the
growth of carnal concupiscence natural reason was clouded even in
regard to sins against nature. And therefore it was fitting that
then, and not before, circumcision should be instituted, as a
profession of faith and a remedy against carnal concupiscence.
Reply Obj. 2: The observance of the Law was not to be promulgated
until the people were already gathered together: because the law is
ordained to the public good, as we have stated in the Second Part
(I-II, Q. 90, A. 2). Now it behooved the body of the faithful to be
gathered together by a sensible sign, which is necessary in order
that men be united together in any religion, as Augustine says
(Contra Faust. xix). Consequently, it was necessary for circumcision
to be instituted before the giving of the Law. Those Fathers,
however, who lived before the Law, taught their families concerning
Divine things by way of paternal admonition. Hence the Lord said of
Abraham (Gen. 18:19): "I know that he will command his children, and
his household after him to keep the way of the Lord."
Reply Obj. 3: Baptism contains in itself the perfection of salvation,
to which God calls all men, according to 1 Tim. 2:4: "Who will have
all men to be saved." Wherefore Baptism is offered to all nations. On
the other hand circumcision did not contain the perfection of
salvation, but signified it as to be achieved by Christ, Who was to
be born of the Jewish nation. For this reason circumcision was given
to that nation alone.
Reply Obj. 4: The institution of circumcision is as a sign of
Abraham's faith, who believed that himself would be the father of
Christ Who was promised to him: and for this reason it was suitable
that it should be for males only. Again, original sin, against which
circumcision was specially ordained, is contracted from the father,
not from the mother, as was stated in the Second Part (I-II, Q. 81,
A. 5). But Baptism contains the power of Christ, Who is the universal
cause of salvation for all, and is "The Remission of all sins"
(Post-Communion, Tuesday in Whitweek).
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