When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature.[fn] NLT
and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision performed without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ, NASB
The translation of this verse presents an interesting issue. The footnote of the NLT indicates the cutting away "of your sinful nature" might also be translated as "of the body of the flesh" or the exact same words found in the NASB.
1) Our first point of difference is "came to Christ" and "in Him." Both refer to our spiritual position within Christ, rather than our mental mindset or viewpoint of trusting Christ. This within Christ understanding is required by the spiritual transformation, the spiritual circumcision, or the removal of "the body of the flesh."
2) The "circumcision of Christ" (NASB translation) removes "the body of the flesh" thought to be our sinful nature by the NLT translators. Translators using the TR or MT use a longer phrase, the body of the sins of the flesh. The RGT has the sinful body of the flesh. At least part of the basis of this translation choice comes from Colossians 2:14 which has the removal of "the certificate of debt" which are the decrees against us. Thus rather than our sinful nature, our stack of stored wrath, past, present and future is removed by the "circumcision of Christ" also called the "washing of regeneration.
In summary, Colossians 2:11 could be understood to say: (interpretive translation)
After being transferred into Christ spiritually, you were spiritually circumcised by Christ, by the cutting away or removal of whatever God might hold against you, also called the washing of regeneration.
and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision performed without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ, NASB
The translation of this verse presents an interesting issue. The footnote of the NLT indicates the cutting away "of your sinful nature" might also be translated as "of the body of the flesh" or the exact same words found in the NASB.
1) Our first point of difference is "came to Christ" and "in Him." Both refer to our spiritual position within Christ, rather than our mental mindset or viewpoint of trusting Christ. This within Christ understanding is required by the spiritual transformation, the spiritual circumcision, or the removal of "the body of the flesh."
2) The "circumcision of Christ" (NASB translation) removes "the body of the flesh" thought to be our sinful nature by the NLT translators. Translators using the TR or MT use a longer phrase, the body of the sins of the flesh. The RGT has the sinful body of the flesh. At least part of the basis of this translation choice comes from Colossians 2:14 which has the removal of "the certificate of debt" which are the decrees against us. Thus rather than our sinful nature, our stack of stored wrath, past, present and future is removed by the "circumcision of Christ" also called the "washing of regeneration.
In summary, Colossians 2:11 could be understood to say: (interpretive translation)
After being transferred into Christ spiritually, you were spiritually circumcised by Christ, by the cutting away or removal of whatever God might hold against you, also called the washing of regeneration.