1 Corinthians 7:19

Amplified Bible

Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is keeping the commandments of God.

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
It is not important if anyone is circumcised or not. What is important is obeying God's commands.

Revised Standard Version
For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Circumcision is nothinge vncircumcision is nothinge: but the kepyng of the comaundmentes of god is altogether.

Hebrew Names Version
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the mitzvot of God.

International Standard Version
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but obeying God's commandments is everything.is everything">[fn]John 15:14; Galatians 5:6; 6:15; 1 John 2:3; 3:24;">[xr]

New American Standard Bible
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God.

New Century Version
It is not important if a man is circumcised or not. The important thing is obeying God's commands.

Update Bible Version
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandments of God.

Webster's Bible Translation
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

English Standard Version
For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.

World English Bible
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God.

Weymouth's New Testament
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing: obedience to God's commandments is everything.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Circumcisioun is nouyt, and prepucie is nouyt, but the kepyng of the maundementis of God.

English Revised Version
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandments of God.

Berean Standard Bible
Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commandments is what matters.

Contemporary English Version
Being circumcised or uncircumcised isn't really what matters. The important thing is to obey God's commands.

American Standard Version
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandments of God.

Bible in Basic English
Circumcision is nothing, and its opposite is nothing, but only doing the orders of God is of value.

Complete Jewish Bible
Being circumcised means nothing, and being uncircumcised means nothing; what does mean something is keeping God's commandments.

Darby Translation
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but keeping God's commandments.

Etheridge Translation
For circumcision is not any thing, nor uncircumcision, but the observances of the commandments of Aloha.

Murdock Translation
For circumcision is nothing, neither is uncircumcision; but the keeping of God's commands.

King James Version (1611)
Circumcision is nothing, and vncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the Commandements of God.

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

New Life Bible
If it is done or not done, it means nothing. What is important is to obey God's Word.

New Revised Standard
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but obeying the commandments of God is everything.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Circumcision is nothing, and vncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandements of God.

George Lamsa Translation
For circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the LORD''s commandments is everything.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
The circumcision, is, nothing, and, the uncircumcision, is, nothing, - but keeping the commandments of God.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing: but the observance of the commandments of God.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Circumcision is nothing, and vncircumcision is nothing, but the keping of the commaundementes of God.

Good News Translation
For whether or not a man is circumcised means nothing; what matters is to obey God's commandments.

Christian Standard Bible®
Circumcision does not matter and uncircumcision does not matter. Keeping God’s commands is what matters.

King James Version
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

Lexham English Bible
Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

Literal Translation
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of God's commands.

Young's Literal Translation
the circumcision is nothing, and the uncircumcision is nothing -- but a keeping of the commands of God.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Circumcision is nothinge, and vncircumcision is nothinge, but the kepynge of the commaundementes of God.

Mace New Testament (1729)
circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, in comparison of obeying the divine commands.

New English Translation
Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Instead, keeping God's commandments is what counts.

New King James Version
Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.

Simplified Cowboy Version
Clipped pickles don't make a cowboy for God. Doing what the Boss says is what makes a cowboy of God.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God.

Legacy Standard Bible
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God.

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

Circumcision: 1 Corinthians 8:8, Romans 2:25-29, Romans 3:30, Galatians 5:6, Galatians 6:15

but: 1 Samuel 15:22, Jeremiah 7:22, Jeremiah 7:23, Matthew 5:19, John 15:14, 1 John 2:3, 1 John 2:4, 1 John 3:22-24, 1 John 5:2, 1 John 5:3, Revelation 22:14

Reciprocal: Genesis 17:10 - Every Genesis 17:23 - circumcised Genesis 34:24 - every male Deuteronomy 30:10 - hearken unto Deuteronomy 30:16 - to love Joshua 5:5 - they had not Proverbs 19:16 - keepeth the Luke 8:15 - keep John 15:10 - ye keep Acts 15:1 - ye Acts 16:3 - and took Romans 2:26 - General Romans 4:10 - not in circumcision 1 Corinthians 9:21 - not 1 Corinthians 13:2 - I am Galatians 3:28 - neither Colossians 3:11 - circumcision 2 Thessalonians 3:4 - that

Cross-References

Genesis 7:2
"Of every clean animal you shall take with you seven pair, the male and his female, and of animals that are not clean, two each the male and his female;

Genesis 7:3
also of the birds of the air, seven pair, the male and the female, to keep the offspring alive on the surface of the earth.

Genesis 7:6
Noah was six hundred years old when the flood (deluge) of water came on the earth [covering all of the land].

Genesis 7:9
they came [motivated by God] into the ark with Noah two by two, the male and the female, just as God had commanded Noah.

Job 12:15
"Behold, He restrains the waters, and they dry up; Again, He sends the waters out, and they overwhelm and devastate the earth.

Jeremiah 3:23
"Truly, [the hope of salvation from] the hill [where idols are worshiped] is a deception, A tumult and noisy multitude on the mountains; Truly in the LORD our God Is the salvation of Israel.

2 Peter 3:6
through which the world at that time was destroyed by being flooded with water.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Circumcision is nothing,.... In the affair of justification before God, and acceptance with him; it cannot make any man righteous in the sight of God, nor recommend him to the divine favour; it is no evidence of a man's calling, or of his having the truth or grace of God in him; nor is it of any avail in the business of salvation. It was something formerly; it was a command and an ordinance of God, to Abraham and his natural seed; it pointed at the corruption and pollution of nature; was typical of the effusion of the blood of Christ, for pardon, and cleansing, and of the internal circumcision of the heart; it was a sign and seal to Abraham, that he should be the father of many nations, and that the righteousness of faith should come upon the uncircumcised Gentiles; and was a distinguishing character of the people of the Jews, until the Messiah came: but now it is nothing, nor has it any of these uses, being with the rest of the ceremonies abolished by Christ; it gives no preference to the Jew above the Gentile; he that has this mark in his flesh, is not a whir the better for it, and he that is without it, is not at all the worse; and is a reason why both the one and the other should be easy, and not attempt any alteration in themselves with regard to this, or think the better or worse of themselves on account of it. This is said in direct opposition to the sentiments of the Jews, who extol circumcision to the skies. The apostle says it is nothing, and they say it is everything, and everything is nothing without it; they say, it is the hinge of their whole law l, and that it is equal to all the precepts in the law m; their extravagant commendations of it take in the following passage n;

"says R. Eliezar ben Azariah, uncircumcision is rejected, because by it the wicked are defiled, as it is said, "for all the Gentiles are uncircumcised"; says R. Ishmael, גדולה מילה, "great is circumcision"; for on account of it, thirteen covenants were made; says R. Jose, "great is circumcision", for it drives away the sabbath, the weighty (command in the law, that is, it is obliged to give way to it); R. Joshua ben Korcha says, "great is circumcision", for it was not suspended to Moses the righteous one full hour; R. Nehemiah says, "great is circumcision", for it drives away plagues; says Rabba, "great is circumcision", for notwithstanding all the commands which Abraham our father did, he was not called perfect until he was circumcised; as it is said, "walk before me, and be thou perfect"; says another, "great is circumcision", for had it not been for that, the holy blessed God would not have created his world; as it is said, "thus saith the Lord, if my covenant be not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth",''

More of this kind might be produced, but enough of this.

And uncircumcision is nothing; it does not hinder any having an interest in, and partaking of the blessings of grace; nor their enjoyment of the Gospel and Gospel ordinances; nor their communion and fellowship with the churches of Christ, much less their everlasting salvation, as say o the Jews;

"the holy blessed God (say they) rejects the uncircumcised, and brings them down to hell; as it is said, Ezekiel 32:18 "son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt, and cast them down"; and so says Isaiah, Isaiah 5:14 "therefore hell hath enlarged herself and opened her mouth", לבלי חק; that is, to him that hath not the law of circumcision; as it is said, Psalms 105:10 "and confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant"; for no circumcised persons go down to hell:''

but the keeping of the commandments of God; that is something; not that the commands of God, and the observance of them, are of any avail to procure the pardon of sin, acceptance with God, justification in his sight, and eternal salvation; yet they are of moment, as they are the commands and ordinances of God; and ought to be kept in faith and fear, as they were delivered from a principle of love, and with a view to the glory of God; and though for keeping of them there is no reward of debt, yet in keeping of them there is a reward of grace; peace of mind is had, and the presence of God enjoyed; obedience to them, upon Gospel principles and motives, is a fruit of grace, an evidence of faith, and of the new creature; it is the ornament of a Christian profession, and is profitable to men.

l Shebet Judah, p. 94. Ed. Gent. m Zohar in Lev. fol. 6. 1. T. Bab. Nedarim, fol 32. 1. Caphtor, fol. 9. 2. n Misn. Nedarim, c. 3. sect. 11. Maimon. Hilch. Milah, c. 3. sect. 8, 9. o Shemot Rabba, sect. 19. fol. 104. 4. Vid. Maimon. in Misn. Sabbat, c. 19. sect. 6.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Circumcision 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.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 19. Circumcision 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.