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1 Corinthians 7:18

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Corinthians 7:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Was any man called being circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Hath any been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Was any man called being circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Hath any been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.
1 Corinthians 7:18 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Corinthians 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15Yet if the unbelieving departeth, let him depart: the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such [cases]: but God hath called us in peace.
16For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? Or how knowest thou, O husband, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
17Only, as the Lord hath distributed to each man, as God hath called each, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all the churches.
18Was any man called being circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Hath any been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.
19Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandments of God.
20Let each man abide in that calling wherein he was called.
21Wast thou called being a bondservant? Care not for it: nay, even if thou canst become free, use [it] rather.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Is any man called being circumcised? etc.] 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 f122; and there were many, in the days of Ben Cozba, who became uncircumcised by force, ˆykwçm, they had their foreskins drawn on by the Gentiles against their…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“not become uncircumcised--by surgical operation (1 Maccabees 1:15; JOSEPHUS [Antiquities, 12.5.1]). Some Christians in excess of anti-Jewish feeling might be tempted to this. let him not be circumcised--as the Judaizing Christians would have him (Act 15:1, Act 15:5, Act 15:24; Gal 5:2).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“7:18-19 Circumcision illustrates the general principle just stated (7:17). All Jewish males were circumcised. Some, seeking acceptance in Gentile society, attempted to reverse the procedure surgically (see 1 Maccabees 1:14-15; Josephus, Antiquities 12.5.1), a practice Paul discourages. Circumcision has little importance (see also Rom 2:28-29; 4:9-12; Gal 5:2-6; 6:12-15; Phil 3:2-3) compared with keeping God’s commandments, such as the commands to love God and others.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“being: Act 15:1, Act 15:5, Act 15:19, Act 15:24, Act 15:28; Gal 5:1-3; Col 3:11 1 Corinthians 7:19”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification