1 Corinthians 7:19
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
Original Language Analysis
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
περιτομὴ
Circumcision
G4061
περιτομὴ
Circumcision
Strong's:
G4061
Word #:
2 of 13
circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people, literally or figuratively)
οὐδέν
nothing
G3762
οὐδέν
nothing
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
3 of 13
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 13
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀκροβυστία
uncircumcision
G203
ἀκροβυστία
uncircumcision
Strong's:
G203
Word #:
7 of 13
the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised (i.e., gentile, figuratively, unregenerate) state or person
οὐδέν
nothing
G3762
οὐδέν
nothing
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
8 of 13
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
10 of 13
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
τήρησις
the keeping
G5084
τήρησις
the keeping
Strong's:
G5084
Word #:
11 of 13
a watching, i.e., (figuratively) observance, or (concretely) a prison
Cross References
Galatians 6:15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.Galatians 5:6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.Revelation 22:14Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.Colossians 3:11Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Historical Context
Paul's statement that circumcision is "nothing" was scandalous to Jewish ears, as circumcision marked Abraham's covenant (Genesis 17) and Jewish identity. However, the New Covenant's internal transformation (Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 36:26-27) surpasses external rituals. Paul declares the Abrahamic promise fulfilled in Christ, transcending ethnic markers.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's declaration that circumcision is "nothing" challenge cultural and religious identity markers?
- What does "keeping the commandments of God" mean in the context of the New Covenant through Christ?
- What external religious markers might Christians today wrongly elevate as essential for spiritual status?
Analysis & Commentary
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing—Paul states radically that Jewish covenant markers are spiritually neutral under the New Covenant. The repetition of ouden (οὐδέν, "nothing") emphasizes total irrelevance. This echoes Galatians 5:6, "in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love."
Instead, but the keeping of the commandments of God (tērēsis entolōn theou, τήρησις ἐντολῶν θεοῦ) is what matters. Paul is not advocating Old Testament legal observance but obedience to Christ's commands, summarized in love for God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40; Romans 13:8-10). True covenant membership is marked by heart transformation and obedience, not physical markers.
This verse relativizes all external religious markers—Jewish ritual, Gentile freedom, circumcision, uncircumcision. What God desires is tērēsis entolōn, faithful obedience flowing from regenerate hearts. This prepares for Paul's later teaching that love fulfills the law (Romans 13:8-10) and that circumcision is a matter of the heart (Romans 2:28-29).