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Monday, October 14th, 2024
the Week of Proper 23 / Ordinary 28
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Amplified Bible

1 Corinthians 7:18

Was anyone at the time of his calling [from God already] circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called while uncircumcised? He is not to be circumcised.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Circumcision;   Marriage;   Thompson Chain Reference - Circumcision;   The Topic Concordance - Calling;  

Dictionaries:

- Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Corinthians, First and Second, Theology of;   Homosexuality;   Motives;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Polygamy;   Holman Bible Dictionary - 1 Corinthians;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Corinthians, First Epistle to the;   Law;   Marriage;   Woman;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Law;   Moses;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Circumcision;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Calling;   Corinthians;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Corinthians, First Epistle to the;   Foreskin;   Papyrus;   Text and Manuscripts of the New Testament;   Uncircumcised;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
If a man was already circumcised when he was chosen, he should not change his circumcision. If a man was without circumcision when he was chosen, he should not be circumcised.
Revised Standard Version
Was any one at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was any one at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Yf eny man be called beynge circumcised let him adde nothinge therto. Yf eny be called vncircumcised: let him not be circucised.
Hebrew Names Version
Was anyone called being circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Has any been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.
International Standard Version
Was anyone circumcised when he was called? He should not try to change that. Was anyone uncircumcised when he was called? He should not get circumcised.Acts 15:1,5, 19,24, 28; Galatians 5:2;">[xr]
New American Standard Bible
Was any man called when he was already circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? He is not to be circumcised.
New Century Version
If a man was already circumcised when he was called, he should not undo his circumcision. If a man was without circumcision when he was called, he should not be circumcised.
Update Bible Version
Was any man called being circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Has any been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.
Webster's Bible Translation
Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not become circumcised.
English Standard Version
Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision.
World English Bible
Was anyone called being circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Has any been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And thus I ordain in all the churches. Is any one called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any one called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
Weymouth's New Testament
This is what I command in all the Churches. Was any one already circumcised when called? Let him not have recourse to the surgeons. Was any one uncircumcised when called? Let him remain uncircumcised.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
A man circumcidid is clepid, brynge he not to the prepucie. A man is clepid in prepucie, be he not circumcidid.
English Revised Version
Was any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Hath any been called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
Berean Standard Bible
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.
Contemporary English Version
If you are already circumcised, don't try to change it. If you are not circumcised, don't get circumcised.
American Standard Version
Was any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Hath any been called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
Bible in Basic English
If any man who is a Christian has had circumcision, let him keep so; and if any man who is a Christian has not had circumcision, let him make no change.
Complete Jewish Bible
Was someone already circumcised when he was called? Then he should not try to remove the marks of his circumcision. Was someone uncircumcised when he was called? He shouldn't undergo b'rit-milah.
Darby Translation
Has any one been called circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised: has any one been called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
Etheridge Translation
If a man circumcised hath been called, let him not turn to uncircumcision; and if in uncircumcision he hath been called, let him not be circumcised.
Murdock Translation
Is a circumcised person called, let him not revert to uncircumcision: and if one uncircumcised be called, let him not become circumcised.
King James Version (1611)
Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become vncircumcised: Is any called in vncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
New Living Translation
For instance, a man who was circumcised before he became a believer should not try to reverse it. And the man who was uncircumcised when he became a believer should not be circumcised now.
New Life Bible
If a man became a Christian after he had gone through the religious act of becoming a Jew, he should do nothing about it. If a man became a Christian before, he should not go through the religious act of becoming a Jew.
New Revised Standard
Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Is any man called being circumcised? let him not gather his vncircumcision: is any called vncircumcised? let him not be circumcised.
George Lamsa Translation
If a man was circumcised when he was called, let him not adhere to the party of uncircumcision. And if he was uncircumcised, when he was called, let him not be circumcised.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
After being circumcised, was any called? let him not become uncircumcised; in uncircumcision, hath any been called? let him not be circumcised:
Douay-Rheims Bible
Is any man called, being circumcised? Let him not procure uncircumcision. Is any man called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Is any man called beyng circumcised? let him not adde vncircumcision: Is any called vncircumcised? let him not be circumcised.
Good News Translation
If a circumcised man has accepted God's call, he should not try to remove the marks of circumcision; if an uncircumcised man has accepted God's call, he should not get circumcised.
Christian Standard Bible®
Was anyone already circumcised when he was called? He should not undo his circumcision. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? He should not get circumcised.
King James Version
Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
Lexham English Bible
Was anyone called after being circumcised? He must not undo his circumcision. Was anyone called in uncircumcision? He must not become circumcised.
Literal Translation
Was anyone called having been circumcised? Do not be uncircumcised. Was anyone called in uncircumcision? Do not be circumcised.
Young's Literal Translation
being circumcised -- was any one called? let him not become uncircumcised; in uncircumcision was any one called? let him not be circumcised;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Yf eny man be called beynge circumcysed let him take no Heythenshippe vpon him. Yf eny man be called in the Heythenshippe, let him not be circumcysed.
Mace New Testament (1729)
does a Jew turn Christian? let him not pretend to be uncircumcised: does a Gentile turn Christian? let him not become circumcised.
THE MESSAGE
Were you Jewish at the time God called you? Don't try to remove the evidence. Were you non-Jewish at the time of your call? Don't become a Jew. Being Jewish isn't the point. The really important thing is obeying God's call, following his commands.
New English Translation
Was anyone called after he had been circumcised? He should not try to undo his circumcision. Was anyone called who is uncircumcised? He should not get circumcised.
New King James Version
Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised.
Simplified Cowboy Version
If a cowboy had his pickle clipped long ago and becomes a believer, he shouldn't be trying to glue anything back on. But if a fellow is uncircumcised, he shouldn't get his pickle clipped when he becomes a believer.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Was any man called when he was already circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? He is not to be circumcised.
Legacy Standard Bible
Was any man called when he was already circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? He is not to be circumcised.

Contextual Overview

17Only, let each one live the life which the Lord has assigned him, and to which God has called him [for each person is unique and is accountable for his choices and conduct, let him walk in this way]. This is the rule I make in all the churches. 18Was anyone at the time of his calling [from God already] circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called while uncircumcised? He is not to be circumcised. 19Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is keeping the commandments of God. 20Each one should remain in the condition in which he was [when he was] called. 21Were you a slave when you were called? Do not worry about that [since your status as a believer is equal to that of a freeborn believer]; but if you are able to gain your freedom, do that. 22For he who was a slave when he was called in the Lord is a freedman of the Lord, likewise he who was free when he was called is a slave of Christ. 23You were bought with a price [a precious price paid by Christ]; do not become slaves to men [but to Christ]. 24Brothers, let each one remain with God in that condition in which he was [when he was] called.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

being: Acts 15:1, Acts 15:5, Acts 15:19, Acts 15:24, Acts 15:28, Galatians 5:1-3, Colossians 3:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 17:10 - Every Genesis 17:23 - circumcised Acts 15:9 - put Romans 2:26 - General Romans 4:10 - not in circumcision 1 Corinthians 7:17 - as the

Cross-References

Exodus 14:28
The waters returned and covered the chariots and the charioteers, and all the army of Pharaoh that had gone into the sea after them; not even one of them survived.
Job 22:16
Men who were snatched away before their time, Whose foundations were poured out like a river?
Psalms 69:15
Do not let the floodwater overwhelm me, Nor the deep waters swallow me up, Nor the pit [of Sheol] shut its mouth over me.
Psalms 104:26
There the ships [of the sea] sail, And Leviathan [the sea monster], which You have formed to play there.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Is any man called being circumcised?.... That is, if any man that is a Jew, who has been circumcised in his infancy, is called by the grace of God, as there were many in those days, and many of them in the church at Corinth:

let him not become uncircumcised; or "draw on" the foreskin; as some did in the times of Antiochus, for fear of him, and to curry favour with him, who, it is said, 1 Maccab. 1:15, "made themselves uncircumcised", and forsook the holy covenant; and so did Menelaus, and the sons of Tobias, as Josephus reports b; and there were many, in the days of Ben Cozba, who became uncircumcised by force,

משוכין, they had their foreskins drawn on by the Gentiles against their wills, and when he came to reign were circumcised again c; for, according to the Jews, circumcision must be repeated, and not only four or five times d, but a hundred times, if a man becomes so often uncircumcised e They make mention of several particular persons who voluntarily became uncircumcised, or, to use their phrase, and which exactly answers to the word used by the apostle,

מושך בערלתו "that drew over his foreskin"; as Jehoiachin f, Achan g, yea even the first Adam h; one guilty of this, they say, makes void the covenant i; it was accounted a very great sin, so great that he that committed it was reckoned k among them that shall have no part in the world to come, but shall be cut off and perish; physicians say, this may be done by the use of an instrument they call spaster, which has its name from the word used in the text. The apostle's sense is, that such as had been circumcised, and had now embraced the faith of Christ, had no reason to be uneasy, or take any methods to remove this mark from their flesh, because it was abolished by Christ, and now of no significance; since as it did them no good, it did them no hurt:

is any called in uncircumcision? let him not become circumcised?; that is, if a Gentile who was never circumcised is called by grace, let him not submit to circumcision, which is now abrogated, and is altogether unnecessary and unprofitable in the business of salvation; yea, hurtful and pernicious if done on that account, since it makes men debtors to do the whole law, and Christ of none effect unto them.

b Antiqu. l. 12. c. 5. sect. 1. c Hieros. Yebamot, fol. 9. 1. & Sabbat, fol. 17. 1. T. Bab. Yebamot, fol. 72. 1. & Gloss. in ib. d Bereshit Rabba, sect. 46. fol. 41. 4. e T. Bab. Yebamot, fol. 72. 1. f Vajikra Rabba, sect. 19. fol. 161. 1. g T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 44. 1. h Ib. fol. 38. 2. Zohar in Gen. fol. 27. 1. & 40. 4. i Hieros, Peah, fol. 16. 2. & Sanhedrin, fol. 27. 3. Bereshit Rabba, fol. 41. 4. k Maimon. Hilch. Teshuba, c. 3. sect. 6. & Milah, c. 3. sect. 8.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Is any man called? - Does anyone become a Christian? See the note at 1 Corinthians 1:26.

Being circumcised - Being a native-born Jew, or having become a Jewish proselyte, and having submitted to the initiatory rite of the Jewish religion.

Let him not become uncircumcised - This could not be literally done. But the apostle refers here to certain efforts which were made to remove the marks of circumcision which were often attempted by those who were ashamed of having been circumcised. The practice is often alluded to by Jewish writers, and is described by them; compare 1 Mac. 1 Corinthians 1:15. It is not decorous or proper here to show how this was done. The process is described in Cels. de Med. 7:25; see Grotuns and Bloomfield.

Is any called in uncircumcision? - A Gentile, or one who had not been circumcised.

Let him not be circumcised - The Jewish rites are not binding, and are not to be enjoined on those who have been converted from the Gentiles; see the notes at Rom 2:27-30.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 18. Is any man called being circumcised? — Is any man who was formerly a Jew converted to Christianity?

Let him not become circumcised. — Let him not endeavour to abolish the sign of the old covenant, which he bears in his flesh. The Greek words μη επισπασθω, let him not draw over, are evidently an elliptical expression: the word την ακροβυστιαν, the fore-skin, being understood; which, indeed, is added by the Armenian and the Itala, and several of the Latin fathers. It is a fact that it was possible by the assistance of art to do this; and Celsus himself prescribes the mode, De Medic. vii. 25. By frequent stretching, the circumcised skin could be again so drawn over, as to prevent the ancient sign of circumcision from appearing. Some in their zeal against Judaism endeavoured to abolish this sign of it in their flesh: it is most evidently against this that the apostle speaks. Many false Jews made use of this practice, that they might pass through heathen countries unobserved; otherwise, in frequenting the baths they would have been detected.

Let him not be circumcised. — Let no man who, being a Gentile, has been converted to the Christian faith, submit to circumcision as something necessary to his salvation.


 
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