Paul, in Romans, used a double metaphor when discussing circumcision saying a man was a Jew if he was one inwardly and circumcision was of the heart; an inward change, not an outward physical change. This was a a drastic difference from the time when God gave physical circumcision to Abram as a sign between God and the individual. Israel had lost that spiritual aspect and only looked at circumcision as a badge of honor; something to look down on others if they were different. Whats' important is the circumcision made without hands, the circumcision of our hearts by Christ.