It's true, the Gospel is the power of God unto Salvation, however, the Gospel alone is insufficient to fully save anyone apart from: spiritual life and circumcision of heart and ears by the Spirit of God.
FIRST, even though an unbeliever may be confronted with the Gospel, if God does not otherwise grant spiritual life to an unregenerate sinner by taking away the hard heart of stone and in return giving the sinner a new compliant heart of flesh and new spirit, resulting in spiritual life (ezekiel 11:19-20) - then the Gospel message alone will remain insufficient, for the sinful man would have been confronted with Good News but yet still remain in a state of hostility toward God because he would still possess a stubborn hard heart of stone and would not obey the Gospel command - for this a characteristic of the unregenerate who does not have a new heart, hence spiritual life ( john 6:63).
SECONDLY, even though an unregenerate person may be confronted with the Gospel, if God does not also initially unilaterally circumcises his or her heart by the Spirit as to remove his resistance; the unregenerate sinful man's natural stubbornness regarding the will of the heart toward God and His Word (acts 7:51); then the Gospel alone will remain likewise insufficient to fully save; for the unregenerate man who hears the Gospel will remain stubborn and unrepentant in heart and unable to obey God, for circumcision of the heart makes sinful man compliant and willing (romans 2:5 and 2:28-29, romans 6:17).
THIRDLY, even though an unregenerate person may be confronted with the Gospel, if God does not unilaterally circumcises the ears of sinful man then the unregenerate man will remain unable to hear as to hear with eagerness and receive with understanding what has been proclaimed regarding the Word of the Lord (john 8:43, acts 7:51, jeremiah 6:10). In short, circumcised ears are ears whom God has spiritually circumcised removing the sinful fleshly barrier of carnality that is resistance toward God. In essence, they are new ears alert and able to savingly hear what the Spirit has said by way of God's Word. They are ears who hear the Word of God as coming directly from God Himself and not just from mere men (1 thessalonians 2:13). Let those who has ears let them hear (mark 4:9).
IN CONCLUSION:
(1) Apart from new spiritual life, the unregenerate unbeliever will remain in a state of hostility toward God and will not obey God because of the hardness of his heart. The Gospel will remain insufficient to save apart from a new heart.
(2) Apart from circumcision of heart, the unregenerate unbeliever will remain resistant; unrepentant and stubborn of heart.
(3) Apart from circumcised ears, the unregenerate unbeliever will remain without understanding for in part he is unable to hear what the Spirit of God has said as to be saved.
LASTLY, the Gospel alone is indeed the power of God unto Salvation but yet remains insufficient as to fully save apart from Spiritual Life, Circumcision of Heart, and Circumcised Ears. These three supernatural unilateral acts of God are necessary in order for the Gospel message to fully save a sinner from his sins.
By Aaron Fisher
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Related Questions: Asked and Answered with the help of ChatGPT
QUESTION 1
What does it mean when it says that the word of God is living and active - Hebrews 4:12?
When Hebrews 4:12 says that "the word of God is living and active," it emphasizes the dynamic, powerful nature of God's word. Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"Living" means God's word is not static or outdated. It is alive in the sense that it continues to speak to people across time, cultures, and circumstances. It brings life, convicts hearts, and has the power to transform.
"Active" (sometimes translated as "powerful") means it is effective and energetic. It accomplishes God's purposes—whether that's to teach, correct, guide, or reveal truth. It’s not just words on a page; it penetrates deeply into our lives and can change thoughts, actions, and hearts.
The verse continues, saying the word is "sharper than any double-edged sword," able to penetrate deeply into the human soul, judging thoughts and intentions. This shows that God's word discerns what’s really going on inside a person—it doesn’t just deal with surface behavior, but with motives and desires.
QUESTION 2
What is the result of this living and active word of God having been preached upon uncircumcised ears (Jeremiah 6:10) and uncircumcised hearts (acts 7:51, romans 2:5,29) of the spiritually dead according to scripture?
This is a powerful and deeply theological question. According to Scripture, when the living and active Word of God is preached to those with uncircumcised ears and hearts—a metaphor for spiritual hardness and resistance—the result is rejection, hardening, and judgment, unless God intervenes by His grace.
Let’s walk through what Scripture says about this:
---
1. Uncircumcised Ears — Jeremiah 6:10
> “To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear? Behold, their ears are uncircumcised, they cannot listen. Behold, the word of the Lord is to them an object of scorn; they take no pleasure in it.”
Result: The Word of God becomes offensive or irrelevant to them. They cannot listen—not merely that they will not, but they are spiritually unable to do so.
This reflects a state of spiritual deadness and rebellion—a refusal and inability to respond rightly to the truth.
---
2. Uncircumcised Hearts — Acts 7:51
> “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.”
Result: The Word of God is resisted. Stephen is addressing the Jewish leaders, accusing them of the same historical rebellion against God’s messengers.
This uncircumcision of heart represents stubbornness and spiritual rebellion—a willful resistance to the Spirit's conviction through the Word.
---
3. Unrepentant Heart — Romans 2:5, 29
Romans 2:5: “But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.”
The rejection of God’s Word leads not to life, but to the accumulation of judgment.
Romans 2:29: “...circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter.”
Only when the Spirit changes the heart (true circumcision) can someone rightly respond to God’s Word.
---
4. Spiritual Deafness and Blindness Elsewhere in Scripture
Isaiah 6:9–10, quoted in Matthew 13:14–15 and John 12:40:
> “You will indeed hear but never understand... For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear...”
God judicially hardens those who persistently reject His Word.
The Word, in this case, leads to further blindness and judgment, not healing.
2 Corinthians 4:3–4:
> “...the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel...”
Even the clearest preaching of the Word is veiled to those whose hearts are blinded.
---
Summary of the Result:
When the living and active Word of God is preached to those with uncircumcised ears and hearts:
They cannot truly hear or understand (Jeremiah 6:10)
They resist the Holy Spirit and the messengers of God (Acts 7:51)
They are hardened further by their response (Isaiah 6; Romans 2)
They store up wrath and face judgment unless regenerated (Romans 2:5)
The Word becomes a means of condemnation rather than salvation
---
But There’s Hope:
While uncircumcised hearts resist the Word, God can perform heart surgery:
Deuteronomy 30:6: “The Lord your God will circumcise your heart... so that you will love the Lord your God...”
Ezekiel 36:26–27: “I will give you a new heart... and put my Spirit within you.”
Only by God’s sovereign grace, through the Spirit and the Word, can spiritually dead and hardened people come to life.
QUESTION 3
But let’s be perfectly clear; Circumcision of the heart by the Spirit of God precedes effectively hearing and obeying Gods Word correct?
Yes—you are exactly right.
According to Scripture, circumcision of the heart by the Spirit—what we call regeneration or the new birth— must precede any genuine, saving response to God's Word. Here's why, clearly and biblically:
---
1. Spiritually Dead People Cannot Respond Rightly on Their Own
Ephesians 2:1 – “You were dead in the trespasses and sins...”
The spiritually dead cannot hear, understand, or obey God's Word unless they are made alive.
1 Corinthians 2:14 – “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God... he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”
The heart must be changed before the Word can be rightly received.
---
2. God Must First Give a New Heart
Ezekiel 36:26–27 – “I will give you a new heart... and cause you to walk in my statutes.”
Obedience to God’s Word follows the heart change, not the other way around.
Deuteronomy 30:6 – “And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart... so that you will love the Lord your God...”
Love and obedience flow from God’s prior work on the heart.
---
3. True Hearing Comes After Regeneration
Romans 10:17 – “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
But this “hearing” is not just auditory—it’s spiritual, and only possible once God opens the ears.
Acts 16:14 – “The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.”
Lydia didn’t respond to the Word until God first opened her heart.
--
4. Circumcision of the Heart is by the Spirit, Not Man
Romans 2:29 – “Circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter.”
This heart change is not something humans do in response to the Word—it is something God does in the soul, which enables the person to finally receive and obey the Word.
--
Clear Conclusion:
Yes, circumcision of the heart by the Spirit of God must precede effectively hearing and obeying God's Word. This is the consistent testimony of Scripture, and it upholds the doctrine of monergistic regeneration—God alone initiates salvation by breathing life into the dead.
QUESTION 4
What is the result of this living and active word of God having been preached upon circumcised ears and circumcised hearts of the spiritually alive according to scripture?
Excellent follow-up. When the living and active Word of God is preached to those with circumcised ears and hearts—that is, those whom God has made spiritually alive—the result is life, transformation, obedience, and spiritual fruitfulness.
Let’s walk through this clearly and biblically:
--
1. They Hear with Understanding and Joy
Matthew 13:23 (Parable of the Sower):
“As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit...”
The good soil is a heart made ready by God. When the Word is preached, it is received, understood, and multiplies in life and obedience.
John 10:27:
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
The elect, made alive by the Spirit, hear Christ through the Word and respond in obedience.
---
2. They Obey the Word from the Heart
Romans 6:17:
“...you became obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed.”
A circumcised heart leads to glad, willing obedience to God’s commands.
John 14:23:
“If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him...”
Love for Christ—rooted in a new heart—produces faithful obedience to His Word.
--
3. They Are Transformed by the Word
2 Corinthians 3:18:
“...beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image...”
The Word, received by those made alive, is the means of spiritual transformation.
James 1:21–22:
“...receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only...”
A spiritually circumcised person doesn’t just hear—they are changed and moved to action.
---
4. They Bear Spiritual Fruit
Galatians 5:22–23:
The Spirit-filled life produces fruit—love, joy, peace, patience, etc.—as a result of walking in the Word.
Psalm 1:2–3:
“His delight is in the law of the Lord... he is like a tree planted by streams of water...”
The one whose heart loves God’s Word thrives, bears fruit, and does not wither.
---
5. They Persevere and Grow
Colossians 1:5–6:
The gospel is “bearing fruit and increasing... since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth.”
The Word continues to nourish and grow those who are spiritually alive.
1 Peter 2:2:
“Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.”
The born-again soul hungers for the Word and grows by it.
--
Summary:
When the living and active Word of God is preached to those with circumcised hearts and ears:
They truly hear and understand the Word (Matt. 13:23)
They delight in it and obey it from the heart (Rom. 6:17, John 14:23)
They are transformed by it and bear fruit (2 Cor. 3:18, Gal. 5)
They grow, persevere, and glorify God through it (Col. 1:6, 1 Pet. 2)
--
This is the glorious effect of the Spirit-prepared heart meeting the Word of God—it becomes a life-giving, fruit-bearing power in the believer.
QUESTION 5
But let’s be perfectly clear; Circumcision of the heart by the Spirit of God precedes effectively hearing and obeying Gods Word which in return ultimately precedes faith or believing itself correct?
Yes—let’s be perfectly clear and biblically precise:
Circumcision of the heart by the Spirit—regeneration—
precedes effective hearing and obeying God’s Word,
which in turn precedes true faith and believing.
This reflects the monergistic (God-initiated and God-accomplished) view of salvation taught throughout Scripture. Let’s break this down clearly:
---
1. Regeneration (Circumcision of the Heart) Comes First
Deuteronomy 30:6 – “The Lord your God will circumcise your heart... so that you will love the Lord your God.”
The ability to love and obey God follows His sovereign act on the heart.
Ezekiel 36:26–27 – “I will give you a new heart... and cause you to walk in my statutes.”
God gives the heart first; obedience and faith come after.
Romans 2:29 – “...circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit...”
This heart change is not initiated by man—it is God’s work alone.
--
2. Regeneration Enables Hearing and Obedience
Jeremiah 6:10 – “Their ears are uncircumcised, they cannot listen.”
Until the heart and ears are spiritually changed, true hearing is impossible.
John 8:43 – “Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word.”
The inability to hear is rooted in spiritual deadness, not just lack of effort.
Acts 16:14 – “The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.”
Spiritual attentiveness to the Word is God’s doing.
---
3. Then Faith and Belief Follow
John 1:12–13 – “...to all who did receive him... who were born, not of blood... but of God.”
Those who believe are those who have been born of God.
1 John 5:1 – “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God...”
The verb tense in Greek implies: being born of God precedes believing.
Romans 10:17 – “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
But this “hearing” is only possible when ears are opened—after regeneration.
---
In Theological Terms:
Regeneration (new heart, circumcision by the Spirit)
→ enables Spiritual hearing and understanding of the Word
→ which leads to faith (trusting and believing in Christ)
→ and produces repentance, obedience, and fruit
This is the biblical order, often referred to in Latin as the ordo salutis (order of salvation). In short:
> God acts first to give life—then, and only then, do we truly believe.
QUESTION 6
Does this Greek word 4806. suzóopoieó imply that sinful man’s dead spirit has been quickened or made alive by Gods spirit?
Yes, the Greek word συζωοποιέω (suzōopoieō), Strong's #4806, does imply that sinful man’s dead spirit is made alive or quickened by God's Spirit.
Let’s look closely at the meaning, usage, and theological implications:
---
Meaning of suzōopoieō
From syn- (with, together) + zōopoieō (to make alive, give life)
Literally: “to make alive together with”
---
Key Usage in Scripture:
Ephesians 2:5
> “Even when we were dead in our trespasses, [God] made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.”
"Made us alive together" = suzōopoieō
Paul is stating that when we were spiritually dead, God made us alive—regenerated us—with Christ, by His sovereign grace, not by any action or decision of our own.
Colossians 2:13
> “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses...”
Again, spiritually dead, uncircumcised (cut off from God)
God made alive (suzōopoieō) together with Christ
He initiated the act of giving spiritual life—this is regeneration
--
Theological Implication:
Yes—suzōopoieō describes the act whereby:
A spiritually dead person (dead in sin, unable to respond)
Is made alive by God’s sovereign action
Through union with Christ by the Spirit
This aligns with the doctrine of monergistic regeneration:
God alone causes new birth and quickens the spirit of sinful man
Only then can the person respond in faith
--
In summary:
Suzōopoieō absolutely implies that man's dead spirit is quickened—made alive—by God's Spirit, not in cooperation with man’s will, but entirely by God’s grace and power, as He unites the believer to Christ in His resurrection life.
QUESTION 7
Is this Greek word 2227. zóopoieó similar to this Greek word 4806. suzóopoieó ?
Yes, Greek word #2227 — zōopoieō (ζῳοποιέω) is indeed closely related to #4806 — suzōopoieō (συζωοποιέω), but there is an important distinction:
--
1. Basic Definitions:
#2227 – zōopoieō (ζῳοποιέω)
From zōē (life) + poieō (to make/do)
Meaning: to make alive, give life, quicken
Refers to the act of giving life generally (physical or spiritual), often used of God as the giver of life.
#4806 – suzōopoieō (συζωοποιέω)
From syn (together with) + zōopoieō
Meaning: to make alive together with (someone)
Refers specifically to being made alive with Christ—emphasizing union with Him.
---
2. Key Difference:
zōopoieō is the root word—used broadly for God giving life, including:
Raising the dead
Granting spiritual life
Quickening physical or spiritual bodies
suzōopoieō is more specific, used only a couple of times (e.g., Eph. 2:5; Col. 2:13), and always in the context of:
Believers being made alive together with Christ
Emphasizing spiritual resurrection, regeneration, and union with Christ
--
3. Biblical Usage Examples:
zōopoieō (#2227):
John 5:21 – “The Son gives life to whom He will.”
Romans 4:17 – “God who gives life to the dead...”
1 Corinthians 15:22 – “...in Christ shall all be made alive.”
suzōopoieō (#4806):
Ephesians 2:5 – “...even when we were dead... made us alive together with Christ...”
Colossians 2:13 – “...God made [you] alive together with Him...”
---
4. Theological Insight:
zōopoieō describes the divine act of life-giving (broadly)
suzōopoieō narrows in on the believer's spiritual resurrection with Christ
Both affirm that spiritual life originates from God alone, not from human will or ability
--
In Summary:
Yes, they are very similar, but:
> zōopoieō (#2227) = to give life (general, divine action)
suzōopoieō (#4806) = to give life together with (specifically with Christ)
They both support the truth that God alone quickens the spiritually dead, and suzōopoieō adds the beautiful layer of union with Christ in resurrection life.
QUESTION 8
Does spiritual circumcision gives life or is that a separate work of the Spirit regarding sinful man?
Great question—and one that touches the heart of how God saves sinners.
To answer directly:
> Spiritual circumcision does not give life in itself,
but it is an inseparable part of the Spirit’s work in regeneration—the one great act of making spiritually dead sinners alive.
Let’s break that down biblically and clearly:
--
1. Spiritual Circumcision = A Metaphor for Regeneration
Spiritual circumcision refers to the cutting away of the sinful, hardened, unbelieving heart—a metaphor for what God does to transform a person inwardly.
Key verse:
Deuteronomy 30:6
> “The Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God...”
This doesn’t happen after life—it is describing how God enables true love and obedience: by changing the heart.
It’s part of God giving life to a dead heart.
---
2. Spiritual Circumcision Happens in Regeneration
Colossians 2:11–13 links both ideas directly:
> “In Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands...
having been buried with Him in baptism...
and you were also raised with Him through faith...
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh,
God made alive together with Him...”
Notice:
Spiritual circumcision (v. 11)
Being made alive (v. 13)
Both are united in the same work of God regenerating the sinner in Christ.
So circumcision of the heart is not a separate work from regeneration—it’s an aspect of it.
--
3. Spiritual Circumcision Removes the Heart of Stone
Ezekiel 36:26–27 (parallel idea):
> “I will remove the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh... and cause you to walk in My statutes.”
That “removal” is the cutting away of spiritual deadness—the circumcision of the heart.
--
4. Conclusion:
Does spiritual circumcision give life?
Not as a separate act—but it is integral to what it means to be made spiritually alive.
It is a vivid image of regeneration: the Spirit cutting away deadness and rebellion and granting a new heart that loves and obeys God.
So:
> Spiritual circumcision and regeneration are not two separate works—they are two perspectives on the same miraculous, Spirit-powered transformation.
By Aaron Fisher / ChatGPT
