His disciples said to him, "Is circumcision useful or not?" He said to them, "If it were useful, their father would produce children already circumcised from their mother. Rather, the true circumcision in spirit has become profitable in every respect." (53 Thomas)

I am skeptical of this saying's origins. If it was known at the time of Paul surely reference would have been made to the authority of Jesus in seeking to extend the good news to the uncircumcised gentiles.

But the shift from useful to profitable catches my attention. If the saying arose in the generation after the crucifixion, it would probably have circulated in Greek.

In ancient Greek the most common word for useful is euthetos or well-placed. In the gospel of Luke Jesus is quoted as using euthetos to suggest being well-matched or deserving as in, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God ."

A common Greek word for profitable is sumphero or bring together. In the gospel of Matthew Jesus is quoted four times using this word to mean better as in, "If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell."

So often I want to be well-placed or fit in with the expectations of my society. There is a social heirarchy that I seek to climb, even as this heirarchy separates us into winners and losers. Much better is bring together, to carry with others, to collect in order to help, or to help others (all meanings of sumphero).

God certainly understands our inclination to fit in, but God calls us to the greater task of bringing together.

Above is an icon of the Twelve Apostles.