1 Corinthians 7:18

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1 Corinthians 7:18 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

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.

King James Version KJV

Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.

American Standard Version ASV

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 BBE

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.

Free Bible Version FBV

Were you circumcised when you were converted? Don't become uncircumcised. Were you uncircumcised when you were converted? Don't become circumcised.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Is any man called being circumcised? let him not gather his vncircumcision: is any called vncircumcised? let him not be circumcised.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

being circumcised — was any one called? let him not become uncircumcised; in uncircumcision was any one called? let him not be circumcised;

World English Bible WEB

Was anyone called having been circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not become circumcised.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Is any man called, being circumcised? let him not procure uncircumcision. Is any man called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.

Translation for Translators T4T

If a man had already been circumcised [RHQ] when he became a Christian, he should not try to pretend that he is not circumcised. If a man had not been circumcised [RHQ] before he became a Christian, he should not become circumcised.

Plain English Version PEV

It’s like this. Some of you were born Jews, so your Jewish family did a young man operation on you. After that, God picked you to be in his family. All right, don’t try to get another operation to change it back again. And some of you are not born Jews, but God has picked you to be in his family. All right, don’t try to be Jewish now. Don’t get a young man operation.

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Corinthians 7:18

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

1 Corinthians 7:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK περιτετμημενος τις εκληθη μη επισπασθω εν ακροβυστια τις εκληθη μη περιτεμνεσθω

περιτετμημενος peritemnō G4059 to circumcise Verb-RPP-NSM

τις tis G5100 one Indef-NSM

εκληθη kaleō G2564 to call: call Verb-API-3S

μη mē G3361 not Particle-N

επισπασθω epispaō G1986 to uncircumcise Verb-PNM-3S

εν en G1722 in/on/among Prep

ακροβυστια akrobustia G203 uncircumcision Noun-DSF

τις tis G5100 one Indef-NSM

εκληθη kaleō G2564 to call: call Verb-API-3S

μη mē G3361 not Particle-N

περιτεμνεσθω peritemnō G4059 to circumcise Verb-PPM-3S

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — 1 Corinthians 7:18

περιτετμημενος peritemnō G4059 "to circumcise" Verb-RPP-NSM

This word means to circumcise, or cut around, specifically referring to the Jewish practice of circumcising males. It is used in Luke 1:59 to describe the circumcision of John the Baptist. In Acts 15:1, it describes the controversy over whether Gentile Christians must be circumcised.

Definition: περι-τέμνω [in LXX chiefly for מוּל ;] (Ion., Epic. and late writers), to cut around (Hdt.), hence, to circumcise (π. τὰ αἰδοῖα, Hdt.) : Luk.1:59 2:21, Jhn.7:22, Act.7:8 15:5 16:3 21:21. Pass. and mid., to be circumcised, receive circumcision: Act.15:1, 1Co.7:18, Gal.2:3 5:2-3 6:12-13 Metaphorical (cf. Deu.10:16, Jer.4:4, al.), Col.2:11 (see Deiss., BS, 151 f.; MM, xix).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 16 NT verses. KJV: circumcise See also: 1 Corinthians 7:18; Galatians 2:3; Luke 2:21.

τις tis G5100 "one" Indef-NSM

This pronoun refers to a person or thing in a general sense, as seen in Luke 9:49 and John 11:1. It can mean someone, anyone, or anything. This term is often used to describe an unspecified individual or object.

Definition: τις, neut., τι, genitive, τινός, enclitic indefinite pron., related to interrog. τίς as πού, πως, ποτέ to ποῦ, πῶς, πότε. __I. As subst., __1. one, a certain one: Luk.9:49, Jhn.11:1, Act.5:25, al.; pl., τίνες, certain, some: Luk.13:1, Act.15:1, Rom.3:8, al. __2. someone, anyone, something, anything: Mat.12:29, Mrk.9:30, Luk.8:46, Jhn.2:25, Act.17:25, Rom.5:7, al.; = indef., one (French on), Mrk.8:4, Jhn.2:25, Rom.8:24, al.; pl., τινες, some, Mrk.14:4, al. __II. II. As adj., __1. a certain: Mat.18:12, Luk.1:5 8:27, Act.3:2, al.; with proper names, Mrk.15:21, Luk.23:26, al.; with genitive partit., Luk.7:19, al. __2. some: Mrk.16:[8], Jhn.5:14, Act.17:21 24:24, Heb.11:40, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 490 NT verses. KJV: a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:15; 2 Corinthians 12:17; 1 Peter 2:19.

εκληθη kaleō G2564 "to call: call" Verb-API-3S

This word means to call or invite someone, like calling out to them loudly. It's used in Matthew 20:8 and Mark 3:31 to describe calling people to come and follow. This word can also mean to invite someone to a special event or to join in something.

Definition: καλέω, -ῶ, [in LXX chiefly for קרא ;] __1. to call, summon: with accusative of person(s), Mat.20:8 25:14, Mrk.3:31, Luk.19:13, Act.4:18; before ἐκ, Mat.2:15 (LXX); metaphorically, 1Pe.2:9. __2. to call to one's house, invite: Luk.14:16, 1Co.10:27, Rev.19:9; εἰς τ. γάμους, Mat.22:3, 9 Luk.14:8, 9 Jhn.2:2; ὁ καλέσας, Luk.7:39; οἱ κεκλημένοι, Mat.22:8; metaphorically, of inviting to partake of the blessings of the kingdom of God (Dalman, Words, 118f.): Rom.8:30 9:24, 25 1Co.7:17, 18; before εἰς, 1Co.1:9, 1Th.2:12, 1Ti.6:12; ὁ καλῶν (καλέσας), of God, Gal.1:6 5:8, 1Th.5:24, 1Pe.1:15, 2Pe.1:3; οἱ κεκλκλημένοι, Heb.9:15; before ἐν (ἐπί), 1Co.7:15, Gal.5:13, Eph.4:4, 1Th.4:7; κλήσει, Eph.4:1, 2Ti.1:9. __3. to call, name call by name: pass., Mat.2:23, Luk.1:32, al.; καλούμενος, Luk.7:11, Act.7:58, al.; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 210), Luk.6:15 22:3 23:33, Act.10:1, Rev.12:9, al.; with pred nom., Mat.5:9, Luk.1:35, Rom.9:26, Jas.2:23, 1Jn.3:1. (Cf. ἀντι-, ἐν-, εἰσ- (-μαι), ἐπι-, μετα-, παρα-, συν-παρα-, προ-, προσ-, συν-καλέω.) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 138 NT verses. KJV: bid, call (forth), (whose, whose sur-)name (was (called)) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:9; Luke 2:23; 1 Peter 1:15.

μη mē G3361 "not" Particle-N

Not is a word used to show that something is not true or is not happening, like in phrases that say 'lest' or 'God forbid', as seen in various parts of the New Testament.

Definition: μή, subjective negative particle, used where the negation depends on a condition or hypothesis, expressed or understood, as distinct from οὐ, which denies absolutely. μή is used where one thinks a thing is not, as distinct from an absolute negation. As a general rule, οὐ negatives the indic, μή the other moods, incl, ptcp. [In LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,אַל ] __I. As a neg. adv., not; __1. with ref. to thought or opinion: Jhn.3:18, Tit.1:11, 2Pe.1:9. __2. In delib. questions, with subjc. (M, Pr., 185): Mrk.12:14, Rom.3:8. __3. In conditional and final sentences, after εἰ, ἐάν, ἄν, ἵνα, ὅπως: Mat.10:14, Mrk.6:11 12:19, Luk.9:5, Jhn.6:50, Rom.11:25, al. __4. C. inf. (see M, Pr., 234f., 239, 255), __(a) after verbs of saying, etc.: Mat.2:12 5:34, Mrk.12:18, Act.15:38, Rom.2:21, al.; __(b) with artic. inf.: after a prep., Mat.13:5, Mrk.4:5, Act.7:19, 1Co.10:6, al.; without a prep., Rom.14:13, 2Co.2:1, 13 1Th 4:6; __(with) in sentences expressing consequence, after ὥστε: Mat.8:28, Mrk.3:20, 1Co.1:7, 2Co.3:7, al. __5. C. ptcp. (see M, Pr., 231f., 239), in hypothetical references to persons of a certain character or description: Mat.10:28 12:30, Luk.6:49, Jhn.3:18, Rom.4:5, 1Co.7:38, 1Jn.3:10, al.; where the person or thing being definite, the denial is a matter of opinion: Jhn.6:64, 1Co.1:28 4:7, 18, 2Co.5:21, al.; where the ptcp. has a concessive, causal or conditional force, if, though, because not: Mat.18:25, Luk.2:45, Jhn.7:49, Act.9:26, Rom.2:14 5:13, 2Co.3:14, Gal.6:9, Ju 5; where the ptcp. has a descriptive force (being such as), not: Act.9:9, Rom.1:28, 1Co.10:33, Gal.4:8, Heb.12:27, al. __6. μή prohibitive, in indep. sentences, __(a) with subjc. praes., 1 of person(s) pl.: Gal.5:26 6:9, 1Th.5:6, 1Jn.3:18; __(b) with imperat. praes., usually where one is bidden to desist from what has already begun (cf. M, Pr., 122ff.): Mat.7:1, Mrk.5:36, Luk.6:30, Jhn.2:16 5:45, Act.10:15, Rom.11:18, Jas.2:1, Rev.5:5, al.; __(with) forbidding that which is still future: with imperat. aor., 3 of person(s), Mat.24:18, Mrk.13:15, Luk.17:31, al.; with subjc. aor., 2 of person(s), Mat.3:9 10:26, Mrk.5:7, Luk.6:29, Jhn.3:7, Rom.10:6, al.; __(d) with optative, in wishes: 2Ti.4:16 (LXX); μὴ γένοιτο (see M, Pr., 194; Bl., §66, 1), Luk.20:16, Rom.3:3, al.; μή τις, Mrk.13:5, al. __II. As a conj., __1. after verbs of fearing, caution, etc., that, lest, perhaps (M, Pr., 192f.): with subjc. praes., Heb.12:15; with subjc. aor., Mat.24:4, Mrk.13:5, Luk.21:8, Act.13:40, Gal.5:15, al.; ὅρα μή (see M, Pr., 124, 178), elliptically, Rev.19:10 22:9; with indic, fut. (M, Pr., l.with), Col.2:8. __2. in order that not: with subjc. aor., Mrk.13:36, 2Co.8:20 12:6. __III. Interrogative, in hesitant questions (M, Pr., 170), or where a negative answer is expected: Mat.7:9, 10, Mrk.2:19, Jhn.3:4, Rom.3:3 10:18, 19, 1Co.1:13, al.; μή τις, Luk.22:35, al.; before οὐ (Rom.10:17, al. in Pl.), expecting an affirm, ans.; οὐ μή, Luk.18:7, Jhn.18:11. __IV. οὐ μή as emphatic negation (cf. M, Pr., 188, 190ff.; Bl. §64, 5), not at all, by no means: with indic, fut., Mat.16:22, Jhn.6:35, Heb.10:17, al.; with subjc. aor., Mat.24:2, Mrk.13:2, Luk.6:37, Jhn.13:8, 1Co.8:13, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 910 NT verses. KJV: any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without See also: 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Peter 2:16; 1 Peter 1:8.

επισπασθω epispaō G1986 "to uncircumcise" Verb-PNM-3S

To uncircumcise means to reverse the physical sign of circumcision, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 7:18. This was a significant issue in the early Christian church, as some tried to blend Jewish and Gentile practices. The term is used to describe those who tried to hide their Jewish heritage.

Definition: ἐπι-σπάω, -ῶ [in LXX: Isa.5:18 (מָשַׁךְ), etc. ;] to draw on: mid., in peculiar sense of effacing signs of Judaism (cf. 1Ma.1:15, FlJ, Ant., xii, 5, i; see Thayer, see word), to become as uncircumcised: 1Co.7:18.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: become uncircumcised See also: 1 Corinthians 7:18.

εν en G1722 "in/on/among" Prep

This word is a preposition that means in, on, or among something. It's used in many places, like Matthew 7:3 and Luke 7:37, to describe a location or relationship. It can also mean by, with, or during.

Definition: ἐν, prep, (the most frequently of all in NT), with dative (= Heb. בְּ, Lat. in, with abl.). __I. Of place, with dative of thing(s), of person(s), in, within, on, at, by, among: ἐν τ. πόλει, Luk.7:37; τ. οφθαλμῷ, Mat.7:3; τ. κοιλίᾳ, Mat.12:40; τ. ὄρει, 2Pe.1:18; τ. θρόνῳ, Rev.3:21; τ. δεξιᾷ τ. θεοῦ, Rom.8:34; ἐν ἡμῖν Abbott-Smith has ὑμῖν., Luk.1:1; of books, ἐν τ. βιβλίῳ, Gal.3:10; τ. νόμῳ, Mat.12:5, al.; ἐν τοῖς τ. Πατρός, in my Father's house (RV; cf. M, Pr., 103), Luk.2:49; trop., of the region of thought or feeling, ἐν τ. καρδίᾳ (-αις), Mat.5:28, 2Co.4:6, al.; τ. συνειδήσεσιν, 2Co.5:11; after verbs of motion, instead of εἰς (constructio praegnans, a usage extended in late Gk. beyond the limits observed in cl.; cf. Bl., §41, 1; M, Th., 12), ἀποστέλλω . . . ἐν, Mat.10:16. δέδωκεν ἐν τ. χειρί (cf. τιθέναι ἐν χερσί, Hom., Il., i, 441, al.), Jhn.3:35; id. after verbs of coming and going (not in cl.), εἰσῆλθε, Luk.9:46; ἐξῆλθεν, Luk.7:17. __II. Of state, condition, form, occupation, etc.: ἐν ζωῇ, Rom.5:10; ἐν τ. θανάτῳ, 1Jn.3:14; ἐν πειρασμοῖς, 1Pe.1:6; ἐν εἰρήνῃ, Mrk.5:25; ἐν δόξῃ, Php.4:19; ἐν πραΰτητι, Jas.3:13; ἐν μυστηρίῳ, 1Co.2:7; ἐν τ. διδαχῇ, Mrk.4:2; of a part as contained in a whole, ἐν τ. ἀμπέλῳ, Jhn.15:4; ἐν ἑνὶ σώματι, Rom.12:4; of accompanying objects or persons (simple dative in cl.), with, ἐν αἵματι, Heb.9:25; ἐν δέκα χιλιάσιν, Luk.14:31 (cf. Ju 14, Act.7:14); similarly (cl.), of clothing, armour, arms, ἐν στολαῖς, Mrk.12:38; ἐν ἐσθῆτι λαμπρᾷ, Jas.2:2; ἐν μαξαίρῃ, Luk.22:49; ἐν ῥάβδῳ, 1Co.4:21 (cf. ἐν τόξοις, Xen., Mem., 3, 9, 2); of manner (cl.), ἐν τάχει (= ταχέως), Luk.18:8 (cf. Bl., §41, 1); of spiritual influence, ἐν πνεύματι, Rom.8:9; ἐν π. ἀκαθάρτῳ, Mrk.1:23; of the mystical relation of the Christian life and the believer himself, to God and Christ (cf. ICC, Ro., 160f.; Mayor on Ju 1; M, Pr., 103): ἐν Χριστῷ, Rom.3:24, 6:11, 1Co.3:1, 4:10, 2Co.12:2, Gal.2:17, Eph.6:21, Col.4:7, 1Th.4:16, al. __III. Of the agent, instrument or means (an extension of cl. ἐν of instr.—see LS, see word Ill—corresponding to similar use of Heb. בְּ), by, with: ἐν ὑμῖν κρίνεται ὁ κόσμος (= cl. παρά, C. dative), 1Co.6:2; ἐν τ. ἄρχοντι τ. δαιμονίων, Mat.9:34; ἐν αἵματι, Heb.9:22; ἐν ὕδατι, Mat.3:11, al.; ἐν μαχαίρᾳ ἀποκτενεῖ (cf. the absol. ἐν μ., ἐν ῥάβδῳ, supr., II, which some would classify here), Rev.13:10 (cf. 6:8). Allied to this usage and distinctly Semitic are the following: ἠγόρασας . . . ἐν τ. αἵματι σου (cf. BDB, see word בְּ, III, 3), Rev.5:9; ὁμολογεῖν ἐν (= Aram. אודי בּ; cf. McNeile on Mt, I.with; M, Pr., 104), Mat.10:32, Luk.12:8; ὀμνύναι ἐν (= cl. accusative, so Jas.5:12), Mat.5:34, al.; also at the rate of, amounting to, Mrk.4:8 (WH; vv. ll., εἰς, ἒν), Act.7:14 (LXX). __IV. Of time, __(a) in or during a period: ἐν τ. ἡμέρᾳ (νυκτί), Jhn.11:9, al.; ἐν σαββάτῳ, Mat.12:2, al.; ἐν τῷ μεταξύ, meanwhile, Jhn.4:31; __(b) at the time of an event: ἐν τ. παρουσίᾳ, 1Co.15:23; ἐν τ. ἀναστάσει, Mat.22:28; __(with) with art. inf., __(α) present (so sometimes in cl., but not as in NT = ἕως; V. M, Pr., 215), while: Mat.13:4, Mrk.6:48, Gal.4:18, al.; __(β) aor., when, after: Luk.9:36, al.; __(d) within (cl.): Mat.27:40, __V. In composition: (1) meaning: (a) with adjectives, it signifies usually the possession of a quality, as ἐνάλιος, ἐν́δοξος; (b) with verbs, continuance in (before ἐν) or motion into (before εἰς), as ἐμμένω, ἐμβαίνω. (ii) Assimilation: ἐν becomes ἐμ- before β, μ, π, φ, ψ; ἐγ- before γ, κ, ξ, χ; ἐλ- before λ. But in the older MSS of NT, followed by modern editions, assimilation is sometimes neglected, as in ἐνγράφω, ἐγκαινίζω, etc. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2120 NT verses. KJV: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 15:17; 1 Peter 1:2.

ακροβυστια akrobustia G203 "uncircumcision" Noun-DSF

Uncircumcision refers to not being circumcised, often used to describe non-Jewish people. It appears in Romans 2:25-27 and Galatians 5:6.

Definition: ἀκροβυστία, -ας, ή (perh. an Alexandrian form of cl. ἀκροποσθία; cf. MM, VGT, see word) [in LXX for עׇרְלָה ;] the prepuce, foreskin (LXX), hence abstr., uncircumcision: Act.11:3, Rom.2:25-27 3:30 4:10-12, 1Co.7:18-19, Gal.5:6 6:15, Col.2:13 3:11 By meton., the uncircumcised: Rom.4:9, Gal.2:7, Eph.2:11.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 17 NT verses. KJV: not circumcised, uncircumcised (with G2192 (ἔχω)), uncircumcision See also: 1 Corinthians 7:18; Galatians 6:15; Romans 2:25.

τις tis G5100 "one" Indef-NSM

εκληθη kaleō G2564 "to call: call" Verb-API-3S

Usage: Occurs in 138 NT verses. KJV: bid, call (forth), (whose, whose sur-)name (was (called)) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:9; Luke 2:23; 1 Peter 1:15.

μη mē G3361 "not" Particle-N

Not is a word used to show that something is not true or is not happening, like in phrases that say 'lest' or 'God forbid', as seen in various parts of the New Testament.

περιτεμνεσθω peritemnō G4059 "to circumcise" Verb-PPM-3S

Usage: Occurs in 16 NT verses. KJV: circumcise See also: 1 Corinthians 7:18; Galatians 2:3; Luke 2:21.

Study Notes — 1 Corinthians 7:18

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
1 Corinthians 7:18 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 7:18
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 7:18
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:18
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:18
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:18
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:18
Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 7:18
Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 7:18
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:18
Sermons on 1 Corinthians 7:18

Context — Live Your Calling

16How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? 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.

19Circumcision 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.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Acts 15:5	But some believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up and declared, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses.”
2	Acts 15:28	It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements:
3	Acts 15:24	It has come to our attention that some went out from us without our authorization and unsettled you, troubling your minds by what they said.
4	Acts 15:19	It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not cause trouble for the Gentiles who are turning to God.
5	Colossians 3:11	Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all.
6	Galatians 5:1–3	It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery. Take notice: I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.
7	Acts 15:1–2	Then some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” And after engaging these men in sharp debate, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.

1 Corinthians 7:18 Summary

This verse, 1 Corinthians 7:18, is saying that it's not about changing who we are on the outside, but about following God's will for our lives. When we become Christians, we don't need to change our physical appearance or cultural practices to fit in with others, but rather focus on keeping God's commandments, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 7:19. This means trusting in God's sovereignty and living a life that honors Him, as seen in Psalm 37:23-24. By doing so, we can remain in the situation we were in when we were called, trusting that God has a plan for our lives, as stated in Jeremiah 29:11.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of circumcision in this verse?

In 1 Corinthians 7:18, circumcision is not about physical rituals, but rather about the heart's response to God's call, as seen in Romans 2:29, where it is written that true circumcision is a matter of the heart.

Should I change my physical appearance or cultural practices after becoming a Christian?

According to 1 Corinthians 7:18, the answer is no, you should remain as you were when you were called, focusing on keeping God's commandments, as stated in 1 Corinthians 7:19.

How does this verse relate to my current life circumstances?

This verse reminds us that our primary focus should be on following God's will, regardless of our external circumstances, as Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 7:17, and to trust in God's sovereignty, as seen in Psalm 37:23-24.

Is it important to maintain cultural or religious traditions after becoming a Christian?

As 1 Corinthians 7:18 suggests, our identity in Christ should take precedence over any cultural or religious traditions, and we should seek to honor God in our new life, as written in 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Reflection Questions

What are some external changes I may be tempted to make in my life after becoming a Christian, and how can I discern God's will in these matters?
In what ways can I prioritize keeping God's commandments, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 7:19, in my daily life?
How can I balance my desire to conform to the world around me with my desire to follow God's will, as seen in Romans 12:2?
What does it mean for me to 'remain in the situation' I was in when I was called, as stated in 1 Corinthians 7:20, and how can I trust God with my circumstances?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 7:18

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

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 7:18

Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised Is any called in uncircumcision? Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision?

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:18

Is any one who was a native Jew, and so circumcised according to the Jewish law, converted (while he is in that state) to the faith of Christ? Let him not affect the state of him that, having been formerly a Gentile, was never circumcised. On the other side, is any, being a native Gentile, and so not circumcised, converted to Christianity? Let not him affect the state of one converted from Judaism, who was circumcised. This is, doubtless, the sense of the verse, not, (as some would have it), let him not endeavour by art to make himself uncircumcised, which was the wicked practice of some, (for a better compliance with the Gentiles), of whom we read, /Apc .

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:18

18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. Ver. 18. Let him not become uncircumcised] Some Jews, for fear of Antiochus, made themselves uncircumcised, RAPC 1Ma 1:15. Others for shame after they were gained to the knowledge of Christ, as here. This was done by drawing up the foreskin with a sergeon’ s instrument. And of this wicked invention Esau is said to be the first author and practiser. (Godw. Antiq. Hebr.)

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:18

(18) Is any man called being circumcised?—Better, Was any one called having been circumcised? The previous general rule is now illustrated by, and applied to, two conditions of life— (1 Corinthians 7:18-20) and SLAVERY (1 Corinthians 7:20-24). If any man was converted after having been circumcised, he was not, as some over-zealous Christians might have been anxious to do, to remove every trace of his external connection with Judaism (Galatians 5:2).

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:18

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 μηεπισπασθω, let him not draw over, are evidently an elliptical expression: the word τηνακροβυστιαν, 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.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 7:18

18. Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised] Many Jews, we are assured, were ashamed of their Judaism, and were desirous to obliterate all the outward signs of it. (1Ma 1:15.) This feeling would receive an additional impulse from conversion to Christianity. But St Paul believed that, once a Jew, a man was ‘a debtor to do the whole law’ (Galatians 5:3). He acted upon this view of the case himself (Acts 18:21; Acts 21:26) in marked contrast to the Judaizing teachers (Galatians 6:13), but with one exception under special circumstances (Acts 16:3). Therefore he urged those who were called in Judaism not to abandon the customs of their nation.Is any called in uncircumcision?] That the Gentiles were free from the obligation of the Jewish law was decided in the conference held at Jerusalem (Acts 15) and after some wavering (Galatians 2:11-21) it was set at rest, principally by the courage and clear-sightedness of the great Apostle of the Gentiles.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 7:18

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

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:18

3. Counsel, generally, as to abiding in present calling, 18-24.18. Circumcised—The first illustration. Uncircumcised—Put off his Jewish relationships.

Sermons on 1 Corinthians 7:18

	Sermon	Description
	Words of Comfort by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of putting our trust in the Lord. He highlights that God will bring forth victory and comfort through the scriptures and the H
	Power of True Religion: Power Over Us by J. Glyn Owen	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of true religion and the power it holds. He discusses the three ways in which the power of true religion manifests itself: the
	Acts 11 - James by Stephen Kaung	In this sermon, the minister begins by praising the Lord and asking for His guidance and revelation through His word. The sermon focuses on the formation of the body of Christ acco
	(Acts) Free in Jesus by Brian Brodersen	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of staying grounded in the word of God. He describes how when people stray from the word, confusion and setbacks occur, but wh
	Acts 15_pt2 by Bill Gallatin	In this sermon, the speaker discusses Paul's last letter and his instructions to Timothy. Paul encourages Timothy to watch in all things, endure afflictions, and do the work of an
	(Through the Bible) Acts - Part 2 by Zac Poonen	This sermon delves into the Acts of the Apostles, highlighting the spread of the Word of God to the Gentiles, the importance of witnessing in various regions, the significance of p
	Taking Mary's Posture by Thaddeus Barnum	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for believers to have a posture of readiness to receive the word of God. He highlights the importance of being sealed with the Holy