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 Living Translation (NLT)For it makes no difference whether or not a man has been circumcised. The important thing is to keep God’s commandments.

Context of 1 Corinthians 7:19

17But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches. 18Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. 20Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. 21Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use 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 8:8But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.
• Romans 2:25For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.
• Romans 3:30since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.
• Galatians 5:6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
• Galatians 6:15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.
• 1 Samuel 15:22So Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.
• Jeremiah 7:22For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices.
• Matthew 5:19Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
• John 15:14You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
• 1 John 2:3Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
• 1 John 3:22And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are 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 do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter 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

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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