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

17Everyone should live the life that the Lord gave him when God called him. This is the guideline I use in every church. 18Any man who was already circumcised when he was called to be a Christian shouldn’t undo his circumcision. Any man who was uncircumcised when he was called to be a Christian shouldn’t get circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and the lack of it is nothing. But keeping what God commands is everything. 20All people should stay as they were when they were called. 21Were you a slave when you were called? That shouldn’t bother you. However, if you have a chance to become free, take it.

1 Corinthians 7:19 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• Circumcisionὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Circumcisionπεριτομήperitomē · circumcisionG4061
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• nothingοὐδείςoudeis · noneG3762
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• uncircumcisionἀκροβυστίαakrobustia · uncircumcisionG203
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• the keepingτήρησιςtērēsis · jail/keepingG5084
• of the commandmentsἐντολήentolē · commandmentG1785
• of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 7:19

• 1 Corinthians 8:8Food will not affect our relationship with God. We are no worse off if we eat ⌞that food⌟ and no better off if we don’t.
• Romans 2:25For example, circumcision is valuable if you follow the laws in Moses’ Teachings. If you don’t follow those laws, your circumcision amounts to uncircumcision.
• Romans 3:30since it is the same God who approves circumcised people by faith and uncircumcised people through this same faith.
• Galatians 5:6As far as our relationship to Christ Jesus is concerned, it doesn’t matter whether we are circumcised or not. But what matters is a faith that expresses itself through love.
• Galatians 6:15Certainly, it doesn’t matter whether a person is circumcised or not. Rather, what matters is being a new creation.
• 1 Samuel 15:22Then Samuel said, “Is the Lord as delighted with burnt offerings and sacrifices as he would be with your obedience? To follow instructions is better than to sacrifice. To obey is better than sacrificing the fat of rams.
• Jeremiah 7:22When I brought your ancestors out of Egypt, I did not tell them anything about burnt offerings and sacrifices.
• Matthew 5:19So whoever sets aside any command that seems unimportant and teaches others to do the same will be unimportant in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever does and teaches what the commands say will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
• John 15:14You are my friends if you obey my commandments.
• 1 John 2:3We are sure that we know Christ if we obey his commandments.
• 1 John 3:22and receive from him anything we ask. We receive it because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him.
• 1 John 5:2We know that we love God’s children when we love God by obeying his commandments.
• Revelation 22:14“Blessed are those who wash their robes so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.

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