8 Bible Verses about Circumcision

AND certain persons coming down from Judea taught the brethren, That if ye are not circumcised according to the ordinances of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

Him Paul resolved to take out with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places: for they all knew his father, that he was a Greek.

destroying the enmity in his flesh, even the law of precepts, in ordinances, that he might from the two create in himself one new man, making peace,

Where there is no difference whether a man be Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian or Scythian, slave or freeman: but Christ is all and in all.

As many as wish to make a fair appearance in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

But up rose some of the pharisaical sect, who professed the faith, insisting, That it was necessary to circumcise them, and to enjoin them to observe the law of Moses. Then the apostles and presbyters were assembled to consider of this matter. When after much dispute, Peter arose, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know that a considerable time ago God chose among us, by my mouth, that the Gentiles should hear the gospel-word, and believe. read more.
And God, who is the discerner of the heart, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as to us; and made no difference betwixt either us or them, purifying their hearts by faith. Why then now tempt ye God, by imposing a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the same way as they. Then the whole multitude kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul, relating how great signs and miracles God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. Now when they ceased speaking, James replied, saying, Men and brethren, hear me: Simon hath fully related, how at first God graciously looked upon [the Gentiles], to take from them a people for his name. And in accord with this are the words of the prophets; as it is written, "After this will I return, and build again the tabernacle of David, that is fallen; and re-edify what hath been dug up from the foundation, and will set it upright again: that the residue of men may diligently seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles, among whom my name is invoked, even among them, saith the Lord, who doth all these things." Known unto God from the beginning are all his works. Therefore I am decided, that we give no unnecessary disquietude to those who from the heathen have turned to God: but that we write to them, that they abstain from pollutions of idol [sacrifices], and from whoredom, and from what is strangled, and from blood. For Moses for ages past in every city hath those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath-day. Then it was determined by the apostles and presbyters with the whole church, to send select men from themselves unto Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren; writing a letter by their hand, in these words: The apostles and presbyters and the brethren, to the brethren from among the Gentiles which are at Antioch, and in Syria, and Cilicia, greeting: Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain persons who went out from us have disturbed you with discourses, unsettling your minds, insisting, that you should be circumcised, and observe the law: to whom we gave no such charge: it hath seemed fit to us, assembled unanimously, to send unto you select men with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, and they by word of mouth will tell you the same things. For it hath seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, to lay upon you no other burden except these things which are of absolute necessity; that ye abstain from eating whatever is sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from whoredom: from which things carefully preserving yourselves, ye shall do well. Farewell.

since it is one God who will justify the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith.

Now I say that Jesus Christ was the minister of circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:

Where there is no difference whether a man be Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian or Scythian, slave or freeman: but Christ is all and in all.

in whom also ye have been circumcised with the circumcision not made with hands, by the putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, through the circumcision of Christ:

in whom also ye have been circumcised with the circumcision not made with hands, by the putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, through the circumcision of Christ:

But he is a Jew who is such inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, in spirit, not in letter; whose praise is not from men, but from God.

And they of the circumcision who were believers, as many as came with Peter, were amazed, because even on the Gentiles the gift of the holy Ghost was poured out.

And when they knew the grace which was bestowed on me, James and Cephas and John, who appeared to be the pillars [of the church], gave unto me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go unto the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision:

since it is one God who will justify the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith.

And when Peter went up to Jerusalem, they of the circumcision disputed with him,

This blessedness then, [is it] for the circumcision, or for the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was imputed to Abraham for righteousness.

And they of the circumcision who were believers, as many as came with Peter, were amazed, because even on the Gentiles the gift of the holy Ghost was poured out.

And when they knew the grace which was bestowed on me, James and Cephas and John, who appeared to be the pillars [of the church], gave unto me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go unto the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision:

For there are many disorderly persons vainly talkative, and under a spirit of delusion, especially some of the circumcised;

Wherefore remember that ye in time past were Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that called circumcision made by hands in the flesh;

And when Peter went up to Jerusalem, they of the circumcision disputed with him,

And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so he begat Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac Jacob, and Jacob the twelve patriarchs.

WHAT then is the superiority of the Jew? or what is the advantage of circumcision?

And he received the sign of circumcision, as a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had when uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all those who believe, though uncircumcised; that to them also the righteousness might be imputed:

nor, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, in Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, not the children of the flesh, these are the children of God: but the children of the promise are accounted for the seed. For the word of promise is this, At that time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. read more.
And not only so; but when Rebecca also had conception by one, even Isaac our father; (though the children were not yet born, nor had done any thing good or evil, that according to the election of God the purpose might abide, not from works, but from him who called;) it was said unto her, "That the elder shall be servant to the younger." As it is written, "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated."

But he answering said, It is not proper to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs. And she said, True, Lord: yet even the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table.

And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so he begat Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac Jacob, and Jacob the twelve patriarchs.

And he received the sign of circumcision, as a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had when uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all those who believe, though uncircumcised; that to them also the righteousness might be imputed:

Because Moses ordered you circumcision; (not that it comes from Moses, but from our ancestors;) so ye circumcise a man on the sabbath-day.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but faith exerting its energy by love.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the observance of the commandments of God.

Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain persons who went out from us have disturbed you with discourses, unsettling your minds, insisting, that you should be circumcised, and observe the law: to whom we gave no such charge:

For there are many disorderly persons vainly talkative, and under a spirit of delusion, especially some of the circumcised;

As many as wish to make a fair appearance in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

And he said unto them, Ye know how contrary it is to established usage, for a man who is a Jew to associate with or visit one of another nation; but God hath shewed me to call no man common or unclean.

saying, Thou hast gone in to men holding uncircumcision, and hast eaten with them.

For before certain persons came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles, but when they were come, he withdrew, and separated himself, fearing those of the circumcision.

Now I say that Jesus Christ was the minister of circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, "For this cause will I confess unto thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name."

Beware that no man make a prey of you by means of philosophy and vain delusion, after the tradition of men, after the principles of the world, and not after Christ: for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily; and ye are complete in him, who is the head of all principality and power: read more.
in whom also ye have been circumcised with the circumcision not made with hands, by the putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, through the circumcision of Christ: buried with him in baptism, in which also ye have been raised up together with him by faith, the energy of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened with him, freely forgiving you all trespasses; and hath blotted out the handwriting in ordinances that was against us, which was the obstacle to us, and took it from the midst, nailing it to the cross; spoiling principalities and powers, he exposed them to view openly, triumphing over them on it.

in whom also ye have been circumcised with the circumcision not made with hands, by the putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, through the circumcision of Christ:

For we are the circumcision, who serve God in spirit, and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh.

For not he who is outwardly such, is the Jew; neither is that which is outward in the flesh, circumcision. But he is a Jew who is such inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, in spirit, not in letter; whose praise is not from men, but from God.

For we are the circumcision, who serve God in spirit, and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh.

Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the observance of the commandments of God.

For circumcision indeed is advantageous, if thou practise the law: but if thou art a transgressor of the law, thy circumcision becomes uncircumcision,

Are ye so senseless? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect in the flesh?

And again, I testify to every man who is circumcised, that he is under an obligation to keep the whole law. Ye have vacated all expectations from Christ, as many of you as are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

destroying the enmity in his flesh, even the law of precepts, in ordinances, that he might from the two create in himself one new man, making peace,

Wherefore remember that ye in time past were Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that called circumcision made by hands in the flesh;

circumcised the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews;

And he received the sign of circumcision, as a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had when uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all those who believe, though uncircumcised; that to them also the righteousness might be imputed:

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but faith exerting its energy by love.

since it is one God who will justify the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith.

And they of the circumcision who were believers, as many as came with Peter, were amazed, because even on the Gentiles the gift of the holy Ghost was poured out.

And when they knew the grace which was bestowed on me, James and Cephas and John, who appeared to be the pillars [of the church], gave unto me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go unto the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision:

Because Moses ordered you circumcision; (not that it comes from Moses, but from our ancestors;) so ye circumcise a man on the sabbath-day.

And it came to pass, on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him after the name of his father, Zacharias.

And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising the child, his name also was called JESUS, the name imposed by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

For not by the law [came] the promise to Abraham and his seed, that he should be heir of the world, but by the righteousness of faith.

This blessedness then, [is it] for the circumcision, or for the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was imputed to Abraham for righteousness.

For circumcision indeed is advantageous, if thou practise the law: but if thou art a transgressor of the law, thy circumcision becomes uncircumcision,

For not he who is outwardly such, is the Jew; neither is that which is outward in the flesh, circumcision.

For even they who are themselves circumcised do not keep the law, but desire you to be circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

And he received the sign of circumcision, as a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had when uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all those who believe, though uncircumcised; that to them also the righteousness might be imputed:

For circumcision indeed is advantageous, if thou practise the law: but if thou art a transgressor of the law, thy circumcision becomes uncircumcision, If then the uncircumcision observe the righteous judgments of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be accounted for circumcision? And the uncircumcision by nature which fulfilleth the law shall condemn thee, who through the letter and circumcision art a transgressor of the law. read more.
For not he who is outwardly such, is the Jew; neither is that which is outward in the flesh, circumcision. But he is a Jew who is such inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, in spirit, not in letter; whose praise is not from men, but from God.

Beware of dogs, beware of the malicious labourers, beware of the concision.

And even Titus, who was with me, though a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised: but this I did because of false brethren artfully introduced, who came to pry into our liberty which we hold in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: to whom not even for an hour have we yielded subjection, that the truth of the gospel might abide with you.

Wherefore remember that ye in time past were Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that called circumcision made by hands in the flesh;

For circumcision indeed is advantageous, if thou practise the law: but if thou art a transgressor of the law, thy circumcision becomes uncircumcision, If then the uncircumcision observe the righteous judgments of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be accounted for circumcision? And the uncircumcision by nature which fulfilleth the law shall condemn thee, who through the letter and circumcision art a transgressor of the law.

And again, I testify to every man who is circumcised, that he is under an obligation to keep the whole law.

And her neighbours and her relations heard, that the Lord had magnified his mercy upon her; and they congratulated her. And it came to pass, on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him after the name of his father, Zacharias. And his mother spake and said, No; but he shall be called John. read more.
And they said to her, There is not one among thy relations, who is called by this name.

Because Moses ordered you circumcision; (not that it comes from Moses, but from our ancestors;) so ye circumcise a man on the sabbath-day. If a man receive circumcision on the sabbath-day, that the law of Moses should not be violated; are ye incensed against me, because I have made a man whole on the sabbath-day?

For not he who is outwardly such, is the Jew; neither is that which is outward in the flesh, circumcision.

But he is a Jew who is such inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, in spirit, not in letter; whose praise is not from men, but from God.

And they have been informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews, who are among the Gentiles, apostacy from Moses, saying, That they should not circumcise the children, nor walk after the usual practices.

Him Paul resolved to take out with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places: for they all knew his father, that he was a Greek.

And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so he begat Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac Jacob, and Jacob the twelve patriarchs.

If a man receive circumcision on the sabbath-day, that the law of Moses should not be violated; are ye incensed against me, because I have made a man whole on the sabbath-day?

Why then now tempt ye God, by imposing a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

And it came to pass, on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him after the name of his father, Zacharias.

Him Paul resolved to take out with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places: for they all knew his father, that he was a Greek.

And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising the child, his name also was called JESUS, the name imposed by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

circumcised the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews;

For we are the circumcision, who serve God in spirit, and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh.

AND certain persons coming down from Judea taught the brethren, That if ye are not circumcised according to the ordinances of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising the child, his name also was called JESUS, the name imposed by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

And he received the sign of circumcision, as a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had when uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all those who believe, though uncircumcised; that to them also the righteousness might be imputed:

in whom also ye have been circumcised with the circumcision not made with hands, by the putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, through the circumcision of Christ:

But he is a Jew who is such inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, in spirit, not in letter; whose praise is not from men, but from God.