1 Corinthians 7:18
What does 1 Corinthians 7:18 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 7:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 7:18 means
Paul applies the principle to circumcision: if someone was called by God while circumcised, he should not try to erase that mark; if uncircumcised, he should not seek circumcision. In Christ, external ethnic or ceremonial distinctions no longer define standing before God. Trying to reverse such marks reflects misplaced priorities—seeking identity in outward forms rather than in obedience to God. Paul is not forbidding all cultural expressions; he is freeing conscience from bondage to them as necessary for acceptance with God. The gospel embraces both Jew and Gentile without compelling either to deny their background. What matters is faith expressing itself in obedience, not altering one’s bodily sign to fit a party.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Was any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Hath any been called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Was any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Hath any been called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If 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.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862being circumcised--was any one called? let him not become uncircumcised; in uncircumcision was any one called? let him not be circumcised;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Is any man called, being circumcised? Let him not procure uncircumcision. Is any man called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Has any one been called circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised: has any one been called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
Context
This verse concretely applies the rule of verse 17 to the Jew-Gentile divide that shaped much of early church life. It pushes back against pressures in Corinth to conform to certain party lines. Verse 19 will state the governing truth: circumcision status is nothing compared to keeping God’s commandments. Then verse 20 will repeat the call to remain in one’s calling. These steps prepare for the next example—social status as a bondservant or as free—in verses 21–24. The argument’s structure reassures all believers that they need not adopt new externals to be truly Christian.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Colossians 3:11
where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.
- Acts 15:1
And certain men came down from Judæa and taught the brethren, saying, Except ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
- Acts 15:28
For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:
- Galatians 5:1
For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage.
- Acts 15:19
Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them that from among the Gentiles turn to God;
- Acts 15:5
But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying, It is needful to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses.
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