1 Corinthians 7:19

1 Corinthians 7:19 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
• New International Version (NIV)Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.

Context of 1 Corinthians 7:19

17Regardless, each one should lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is what I prescribe in all the churches. 18Was 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. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commandments is what counts. 20Each one should remain in the situation he was in when he was called. 21Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it concern you—but if you can gain your freedom, take the opportunity.

1 Corinthians 7:19 word by word

ἡ περιτομὴ οὐδέν ἐστιν καὶ ἡ ἀκροβυστία οὐδέν ἐστιν ἀλλὰ τήρησις ἐντολῶν θεοῦ.Read the interlinear

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Circumcisionπεριτομήperitomē · circumcisionG4061
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• nothingοὐδείςoudeis · noneG3762
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• uncircumcisionἀκροβυστίαakrobustia · uncircumcisionG203
• ·ἀλλάalla · butG235
• Keepingτήρησιςtērēsis · jail/keepingG5084
• God’sθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• commandmentsἐντολήentolē · commandmentG1785

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 7:19

• 1 Corinthians 8:8But food does not bring us closer to God: We are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.
• Romans 2:25Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.
• Romans 3:30since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.
• Galatians 5:6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. What matters is faith expressing itself through love.
• Galatians 6:15For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. What counts is a new creation.
• 1 Samuel 15:22But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.
• Jeremiah 7:22For when I brought your fathers out of the land of Egypt, I did not merely command them about burnt offerings and sacrifices,
• Matthew 5:19So 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.
• John 15:14You are My friends if you do what I command you.
• 1 John 2:3By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments.
• 1 John 3:22and we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight.
• 1 John 5:2By this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep His commandments.
• Revelation 22:14Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates.

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 7:19

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 19Circumcision is nothing - Circumcision itself, though commanded of God, is nothing of itself, it being only a sign of the justification which should be afterwards received by faith. At present, neither it nor its opposite either hinders or furthers the work of grace; and keeping the commandments of God, from his love shed abroad in a believing heart, is the sum and substance of religion.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 19Circumcision is nothing … - It is of no consequence in itself. It is not that which God requires now. And the mere external rite can be of no consequence one way or the other. The heart is all; and that is what God demands; see the notes at Romans 2:29. But the keeping of the commandments of God - Is something, is the main thing, is everything; and this can be done whether a man is circumcised or not.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17-24Verses 17-24 The rules of Christianity reach every condition; and in every state a man may live so as to be a credit to it. It is the duty of every Christian to be content with his lot, and to conduct himself in his rank and place as becomes a Christian. Our comfort and happiness depend on what we are to Christ, not what we are in the world. No man should think to make his faith or religion, an argument to break through any natural or civil obligations…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18-19Circumcision shows the principle mentioned earlier (1 Corinthians 7:17). All Jewish males were circumcised. Some tried to reverse it to fit into Gentile society (see 1 Maccabees 1:14–15; Josephus, Antiquities 12.5.1), but Paul advises against this. Circumcision is not very important compared to following God's commandments, like loving God and others (see also Romans 2:28–29; 4:9–12; Galatians 5:2–6; 6:12–15; Philippians 3:2–3).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1919. Circumcision ... nothing, but ... keeping of ... commandments of God--namely, is all in all. In Ga 5:6 this "keeping of the commandments of God" is defined to be "faith which worketh by love"; and in Ga 6:15, "a new creature." Circumcision was a commandment of God: but not for ever, as "love."Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 7:19

• Circumcision
• Formalism
• Marriage

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Abuse
• Attend
• Consent
• Contain
• Distraction
• Loose
• Mercy
• Revelation of Christ

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 7

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings