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1 Corinthians 7:18

Identity and self-worth

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

17 Regardless, 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.

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.

19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commandments is what counts.

20 Each one should remain in the situation he was in when he was called.

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This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

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.
KJV
Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
WEB
Was anyone called having been circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.
ASV
Was any man called being circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Hath any been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.
DARBY
Has any one been called circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised: has any one been called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
BLB
Was anyone called having been circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.
ÅB
En ble kalt som omskåret, han dra ikke forhud over; en er blitt kalt som uomskåret, han la seg ikke omskjære!
OTB
Ble noen kalt mens de var omskåret? Han skal ikke søke å fjerne merkene av omskjæring. Ble noen kalt mens de var uomskåret? Han skal ikke søke omskjæring.
B1930
En blev kalt som omskåret, han dra ikke forhud over; en er blitt kalt som uomskåret, han la sig ikke omskjære!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 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.”

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  • Acts 15:19

    It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not cause trouble for the Gentiles who are turning to God.

    Read in context

  • 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.

    Read in context

  • 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.

    Read in context

  • Acts 15:28

    It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements:

    Read in context

  • 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.

    Read in context

  • 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.”

    Read in context