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1 Corinthians 7:19

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Corinthians 7:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandments of God.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandments of God.
1 Corinthians 7:19 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Corinthians 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
22For he that was called in the Lord being a bondservant, is the Lord`s freedman: likewise he that was called being free, is Christ`s bondservant.
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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
“Circumcision is nothing, etc.] 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,…”
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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
“Circumcision . . . nothing, but . . . keeping of . . . commandments of God--namely, is all in all. In Gal 5:6 this "keeping of the commandments of God" is defined to be "faith which worketh by love"; and in Gal 6:15, "a new creature." Circumcision was a commandment of God: but not for ever, as "love."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing - Will neither promote nor obstruct our salvation. The one point is, keeping the commandments of God; "faith working by love." 1 Corinthians 7:20”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Circumcision: Co1 8:8; Rom 2:25-29, Rom 3:30; Gal 5:6, Gal 6:15 but: Sa1 15:22; Jer 7:22, Jer 7:23; Mat 5:19; Joh 15:14; Jo1 2:3, Jo1 2:4, Jo1 3:22-24; Jo1 5:2, Jo1 5:3; Rev 22:14 1 Corinthians 7:20”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Corinthians 7 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification