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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Corinthians 7:19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commandments is what counts.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/7-19.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/46_1Co_07_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Corinthians 7:19 - Live Your Calling" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. 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Keeping God&#8217s commands is what counts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/7.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />For it makes no difference whether or not a man has been circumcised. The important thing is to keep God’s commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_corinthians/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commandments is what counts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping <i>the</i> commandments of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_corinthians/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God <i>is what matters.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_corinthians/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but <i>what matters is</i> the keeping of the commandments of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_corinthians/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but <i>what matters is</i> the keeping of the commandments of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but <i>what matters is</i> the keeping of the commandments of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_corinthians/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but <i>what matters is</i> keeping the commandments of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Circumcision does not matter and uncircumcision does not matter. Keeping God’s commands is what matters.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Circumcision does not matter and uncircumcision does not matter, but keeping God&#8217s commands does.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_corinthians/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandments of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_corinthians/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Being circumcised or uncircumcised isn't really what matters. The important thing is to obey God's commands. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_corinthians/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandments of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_corinthians/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Circumcision is nothing, and the lack of it is nothing. But keeping what God commands is everything.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_corinthians/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />For whether or not a man is circumcised means nothing; what matters is to obey God's commandments. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_corinthians/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but obeying God's commandments is everything.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God?s commandments is what counts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_corinthians/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Instead, keeping God's commandments is what counts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_corinthians/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_corinthians/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/1_corinthians/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing: obedience to God's commandments is everything.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_corinthians/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is keeping God’s commandments. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_corinthians/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />the circumcision is nothing, and the uncircumcision is nothing—but a keeping of the commands of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping <i>the</i> commandments of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_corinthians/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> the circumcision is nothing, and the uncircumcision is nothing -- but a keeping of the commands of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_corinthians/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commands of God.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing: but the observance of the commandments of God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_corinthians/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; there is only the observance of the commandments of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_corinthians/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Circumcision means nothing, and uncircumcision means nothing; what matters is keeping God’s commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_corinthians/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but obeying the commandments of God is everything.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_corinthians/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the LORD’s commandments is everything.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_corinthians/7.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />For circumcision is not anything, neither uncircumcision, but the keeping of the commandments of God.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/1_corinthians/7.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandments of God <i>is our aim</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/1_corinthians/7.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/1_corinthians/7.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the observance of the commandments of God.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/1_corinthians/7.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, in comparison of obeying the divine commands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/1_corinthians/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing: obedience to God's commandments is everything.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/1_corinthians/7.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandments of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/1_corinthians/7.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_corinthians/7-19.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g-wZWoK_LZU?start=1335" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Live Your Calling</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">18</span>Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man still uncircumcised when called? He should not be circumcised. <span class="reftext">19</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4061.htm" title="4061: peritomē (N-NFS) -- Circumcision. From peritemno; circumcision.">Circumcision</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/3762.htm" title="3762: ouden (Adj-NNS) -- No one, none, nothing. ">nothing</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/203.htm" title="203: akrobystia (N-NFS) -- From akron and probably a modified form of posthe; the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised state or person.">uncircumcision</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/3762.htm" title="3762: ouden (Adj-NNS) -- No one, none, nothing. ">nothing.</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: alla (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise."></a> <a href="/greek/5084.htm" title="5084: tērēsis (N-NFS) -- A prison; observance (as of precepts). From tereo; a watching, i.e. observance, or a prison.">Keeping</a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God’s</a> <a href="/greek/1785.htm" title="1785: entolōn (N-GFP) -- An ordinance, injunction, command, law. From entellomai; injunction, i.e. An authoritative prescription.">commandments is what counts.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">20</span>Each one should remain in the situation he was in when he was called.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-6.htm">Galatians 5:6</a></span><br />For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. What matters is faith expressing itself through love.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/6-15.htm">Galatians 6:15</a></span><br />For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. What counts is a new creation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-25.htm">Romans 2:25-29</a></span><br />Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. / If a man who is not circumcised keeps the requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? / The one who is physically uncircumcised yet keeps the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-10.htm">James 2:10-12</a></span><br />Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. / For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. / Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17-19</a></span><br />Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. / For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. / So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-30.htm">Romans 3:30-31</a></span><br />since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. / Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not! Instead, we uphold the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/15-1.htm">Acts 15:1-11</a></span><br />Then some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” / And after engaging these men in sharp debate, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. / Sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, recounting the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy to all the brothers. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-11.htm">Colossians 3:11</a></span><br />Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/2-11.htm">Ephesians 2:11-16</a></span><br />Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh and called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision (that done in the body by human hands)— / remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. / But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/3-3.htm">Philippians 3:3</a></span><br />For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-15.htm">John 14:15</a></span><br />If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/2-3.htm">1 John 2:3-4</a></span><br />By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments. / If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/10-12.htm">Deuteronomy 10:12-13</a></span><br />And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God by walking in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, / and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD that I am giving you this day for your own good?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/30-6.htm">Deuteronomy 30:6</a></span><br />The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, and you will love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/4-4.htm">Jeremiah 4:4</a></span><br />Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and remove the foreskins of your hearts, O men of Judah and people of Jerusalem. Otherwise, My wrath will break out like fire and burn with no one to extinguish it, because of your evil deeds.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.</p><p class="hdg">Circumcision.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/8-8.htm">1 Corinthians 8:8</a></b></br> But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/2-25.htm">Romans 2:25-29</a></b></br> For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/3-30.htm">Romans 3:30</a></b></br> Seeing <i>it is</i> one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.</p><p class="hdg">but.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a></b></br> And Samuel said, Hath the LORD <i>as great</i> delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey <i>is</i> better than sacrifice, <i>and</i> to hearken than the fat of rams.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/7-22.htm">Jeremiah 7:22,23</a></b></br> For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/5-19.htm">Matthew 5:19</a></b></br> Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach <i>them</i>, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_corinthians/7-18.htm">Circumcision</a> <a href="/romans/13-9.htm">Commandments</a> <a href="/romans/2-23.htm">Commands</a> <a href="/romans/4-14.htm">Counts</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-15.htm">God's</a> <a href="/romans/5-19.htm">Keeping</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-1.htm">Matters</a> <a href="/romans/16-26.htm">Obedience</a> <a href="/romans/8-7.htm">Opposite</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-17.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-18.htm">Uncircumcision</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-17.htm">Value</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/galatians/2-3.htm">Circumcision</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-37.htm">Commandments</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-15.htm">Commands</a> <a href="/galatians/5-6.htm">Counts</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-40.htm">God's</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/16-2.htm">Keeping</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-34.htm">Matters</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-34.htm">Obedience</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/2-7.htm">Opposite</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-25.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/galatians/2-7.htm">Uncircumcision</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/2-14.htm">Value</a><div class="vheading2">1 Corinthians 7</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-1.htm">He discusses marriage;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-4.htm">showing it to be a remedy against sinful desires,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-10.htm">and that the bond thereof ought not lightly to be dissolved.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-20.htm">Every man must be content with his vocation.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-25.htm">Virginity wherefore to be embraced;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">35. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-35.htm">and for what respects we may either marry, or abstain from marrying.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_corinthians/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Circumcision is nothing</b><br>In the context of <a href="/1_corinthians/7-19.htm">1 Corinthians 7:19</a>, Paul addresses the issue of circumcision, a significant religious practice for Jews, as a symbol of the covenant between God and Abraham (<a href="/genesis/17-10.htm">Genesis 17:10-14</a>). However, in the New Testament, the physical act of circumcision is no longer seen as necessary for salvation or a relationship with God. This reflects the shift from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant, where faith in Christ supersedes the law (<a href="/galatians/5-6.htm">Galatians 5:6</a>). Paul emphasizes that external rituals do not determine one's standing with God, aligning with his teachings in <a href="/romans/2-28.htm">Romans 2:28-29</a>, where he speaks of a "circumcision of the heart."<p><b>and uncircumcision is nothing.</b><br>Paul's statement that uncircumcision is nothing further underscores the irrelevance of physical rituals in the new Christian faith. In the early church, there was tension between Jewish and Gentile believers regarding adherence to Jewish customs. By stating that uncircumcision is nothing, Paul affirms that Gentile believers are not required to adopt Jewish customs to be part of God's people. This is consistent with the decision made at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15), where it was determined that Gentiles did not need to be circumcised to be saved.<p><b>Keeping God’s commandments is what counts.</b><br>Paul shifts the focus from external rituals to the importance of obedience to God's commandments. This echoes Jesus' teaching in <a href="/john/14-15.htm">John 14:15</a>, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." The emphasis is on a transformed life that reflects God's will, rather than adherence to ceremonial laws. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that true faith is demonstrated through actions (<a href="/james/2-17.htm">James 2:17</a>). The commandments here are understood as the moral and ethical teachings of Christ, which fulfill the law (<a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17-20</a>). This perspective highlights the essence of Christian living as a heart-oriented obedience to God, rather than mere external compliance.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a></b><br>The author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth, a diverse and cosmopolitan city known for its moral and spiritual challenges.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/c/corinth.htm">Corinth</a></b><br>A major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth and immorality, where Paul established a church during his missionary journeys.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jewish_and_gentile_believers.htm">Jewish and Gentile Believers</a></b><br>The early church was composed of both Jewish and Gentile converts, leading to debates over the necessity of following Jewish customs like circumcision.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_priority_of_obedience.htm">The Priority of Obedience</a></b><br>The focus of the Christian life should be on obeying God's commandments rather than adhering to external rituals or cultural practices.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/unity_in_christ.htm">Unity in Christ</a></b><br>In Christ, cultural and religious distinctions such as circumcision are secondary to our shared faith and obedience to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/heart_transformation.htm">Heart Transformation</a></b><br>True transformation is internal, a change of heart and spirit, rather than external conformity to religious rites.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_and_works.htm">Faith and Works</a></b><br>Our faith is demonstrated through our actions, particularly in our commitment to living according to God's commandments.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_sensitivity.htm">Cultural Sensitivity</a></b><br>While cultural practices may vary, they should not become barriers to unity in the body of Christ or to the expression of genuine faith.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_corinthians_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 7</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/will_love_and_faithfulness_stay.htm">What does the Bible say about diversity and inclusion?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_1_cor_7_10-11_contradict_matt_19_9.htm">Does 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 contradict Jesus' teaching on divorce in Matthew 19:9?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_jesus_and_paul_differ_on_divorce.htm">Why does Jesus say divorce is only allowed for sexual immorality (Matthew 19:9), while Paul later allows for abandonment (1 Corinthians 7:15)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_jesus_first_limit_preaching_to_israel.htm">Matthew 10:5-6 - Why did Jesus limit the disciples' preaching to Israel first, seemingly contradicting the later worldwide mission in Matthew 28:19?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_corinthians/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(19) <span class= "bld">Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing.</span>--Often those who regard some ceremony as unimportant magnify the very disregard of it into a necessary virtue. The Apostle carefully guards against that by expressing the nothingness of both circumcision and uncircumcision (<a href="/romans/2-25.htm" title="For circumcision truly profits, if you keep the law: but if you be a breaker of the law, your circumcision is made uncircumcision.">Romans 2:25</a>; <a href="/galatians/5-6.htm" title="For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which works by love.">Galatians 5:6</a>; <a href="/galatians/6-15.htm" title="For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.">Galatians 6:15</a>). The circumcision of Timothy, and the refusal to circumcise Titus by St. Paul himself, are illustrations at once of the application of the truth here enforced, and of the Apostle's scrupulous adherence to the principles of his own teaching. To have refused to circumcise Timothy would have attached some value to non-circumcision. To have circumcised Titus would have attached some value to circumcision. (See <a href="/acts/16-3.htm" title="Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.">Acts 16:3</a>; <a href="/galatians/2-3.htm" title="But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:">Galatians 2:3</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">But the keeping of the commandments of God</span> <span class= "ital">is everything,</span> understood. The teaching here is, practically, "To obey is better than sacrifice." . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_corinthians/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 19.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Circumcision is nothing.</span> The Jews regarded it as everything; and to make this assertion at so early an epoch of Christian history, required all the courage of St. Paul, and proved his grand originality. He was the first to prove to the Jews that circumcision had become a thing intrinsically indifferent, which might, under some circumstances, be desirable (as in the case of Timothy), but could never be reckoned among essentials. <span class="cmt_word">And uncircumcision is nothing.</span> The same sentence occurs three times in St. Paul, summing up, as it were, the liberty which it had cost him endless peril and anguish to achieve. Each time he concludes it with a weighty clause to show what <span class="accented">is everything:</span> "Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God" (ver. 19); "... but <span class="accented">faith which worketh by love"</span> (<a href="/galatians/5-6.htm">Galatians 5:6</a>); "... but <span class="accented">a new creation"</span> (<a href="/galatians/6-15.htm">Galatians 6:15</a>). <span class="cmt_word">But the keeping of the commandments.</span> So St. John says, "Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_corinthians/7-19.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Circumcision</span><br /><span class="grk">περιτομὴ</span> <span class="translit">(peritomē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4061.htm">Strong's 4061: </a> </span><span class="str2">Circumcision. From peritemno; circumcision.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐστιν</span> <span class="translit">(estin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">nothing</span><br /><span class="grk">οὐδέν</span> <span class="translit">(ouden)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3762.htm">Strong's 3762: </a> </span><span class="str2">No one, none, nothing. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">uncircumcision</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀκροβυστία</span> <span class="translit">(akrobystia)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_203.htm">Strong's 203: </a> </span><span class="str2">From akron and probably a modified form of posthe; the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised state or person.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐστιν</span> <span class="translit">(estin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">nothing.</span><br /><span class="grk">οὐδέν</span> <span class="translit">(ouden)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3762.htm">Strong's 3762: </a> </span><span class="str2">No one, none, nothing. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">Keeping</span><br /><span class="grk">τήρησις</span> <span class="translit">(tērēsis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5084.htm">Strong's 5084: </a> </span><span class="str2">A prison; observance (as of precepts). From tereo; a watching, i.e. observance, or a prison.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">God’s</span><br /><span class="grk">Θεοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(Theou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> </span><span class="str2">A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">commandments [is what matters].</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐντολῶν</span> <span class="translit">(entolōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1785.htm">Strong's 1785: </a> </span><span class="str2">An ordinance, injunction, command, law. From entellomai; injunction, i.e. An authoritative prescription.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/7-19.htm">1 Corinthians 7:19 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/7-19.htm">1 Corinthians 7:19 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_corinthians/7-19.htm">1 Corinthians 7:19 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/7-19.htm">1 Corinthians 7:19 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/7-19.htm">1 Corinthians 7:19 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_corinthians/7-19.htm">1 Corinthians 7:19 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_corinthians/7-19.htm">1 Corinthians 7:19 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_corinthians/7-19.htm">1 Corinthians 7:19 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_corinthians/7-19.htm">1 Corinthians 7:19 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_corinthians/7-19.htm">1 Corinthians 7:19 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_corinthians/7-19.htm">NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 7:19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Corinthians 7:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 7:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Corinthians 7:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 7:20" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>