This verse is quite similar to 5.6. The idea is that the matter of being circumcised or not is entirely irrelevant insofar as relationship with God is concerned. What is most important is being a new creature. The expression new creature can also be translated as “new creation” (Revised Standard Version, New English Bible). In “new creation” the emphasis is on the act of God in effecting a new thing, while in new creature it is on the result of God’s action.

It is possible to translate “circumcision” and “uncircumcision” in this verse as “Jews” and “Gentiles,” although no modern translator opts for this rendering.

The condition involved in the clause whether or not one is circumcised must often be expressed as a simple condition with an alternative, for example, “If one is circumcised or if one is not circumcised, that is not important.” A number of languages employ a substantive equivalent of such an alternative condition in a form more or less equivalent to “whether or not a person is circumcised does not matter,” or “… is not important.” Corresponding to the form of the first sentence, the second sentence in this verse may be translated as “but being a new creature is important,” “but being a new kind of person is what matters,” or “… does make a difference.” In some instances a new creature may be rendered as “being created new by God,” or “being made over again by God.”

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1976. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .