8 Bible Verses about Circumcision

However some that arrived from Judea, told the Gentile converts, unless you are circumcised agreeably to the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.

so he took him and had him circumcised, out of regard to the Jews of that country, who all knew his father was a Greek.

(which kept us at variance) by abolishing the dogmatical injunctions of the law, that having made the peace, he might incorporate the two into one new body under himself;

by which there is now neither Greek, or Jew; circumcised, or uncircumcised; Barbarian, or Scythian; slave, or freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.

they who desire to make a figure in the world, constrain you to be circumcised, only to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.

but some of the sect of the Pharisees who had embraced the faith, started up, pretending that the Gentiles ought to be circumcised, and observe the law of Moses. The apostles therefore, and the presbyters assembled to deliberate upon this affair. and after the question had been much canvass'd, Peter rose up, and said, my brethren, you know that a considerable time since God chose me from among you to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, and bring them to the faith. read more.
God who knows their hearts has granted them a testimonial, by giving them the holy spirit, even as he did to us: making no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by the faith. why therefore do you tempt God to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither we nor our forefathers were able to bear? but we believe that it is by the favour of the Lord Jesus Christ, that we are to be sav'd, as well as they. The whole assembly were very silent, whilst Barnabas and Paul related what miracles and prodigies God had wrought among the Gentiles by their ministry. After they had done speaking, James assum'd the discourse, and said, my brethren, give me your attention. Simon has related how God began to visit the Gentiles, to chuse from among them a people consecrated to his name. and this is agreeable to the oracles of the prophets: as it is written, "after this I will return and build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down: I will repair its ruins, and raise it up: that the rest of mankind, even all the nations, that profess my name, may seek the Lord. he that does all these things, is the Lord himself that has said it." for the works of God are all known to him from the beginning of the world. wherefore my opinion is not to disquiet the Gentile converts: but only to write to them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, from fornication, from animals that are strangled, and from their blood. for as to the law of Moses, that has been published in every city a considerable time, being read in the synagogues every sabbath-day. Then the apostles, the presbyters, and the whole church thought it proper to select some out of their own body to accompany Paul and Barnabas to Antioch: such as Judas surnam'd Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, whom they charg'd with this letter. The apostles, the presbyters, and the brethren, to the Gentile brethren at Antioch, in Syria, and Cilicia, send greeting. Whereas we have been appriz'd, that some who went from us, have embarass'd you with their discourse, and unsettled your minds, maintaining, that you ought to be circumcised, and to observe the law, though we gave them no such injunction: after having been assembled, we unanimously judg'd it proper to send particular deputies to you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men that have exposed their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. we therefore send Judas and Silas to inform you in person of this affair. for by the holy spirit it seemed good to us, to lay no greater burthen upon you, than these necessary injunctions; that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the flesh of strangled animals, and from fornication: you will do well to preserve your selves from these practices. farewel.

since it is one God, who will justify both the Jews and the Gentiles, through faith.

for I tell you, that Jesus Christ was a minister to the Jews, to manifest the veracity of God in fulfilling the promises made to the fathers:

by which there is now neither Greek, or Jew; circumcised, or uncircumcised; Barbarian, or Scythian; slave, or freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.

by whom also ye have obtain'd the true spiritual circumcision, not effected by men, when you were by a christian circumcision divested of all your carnal affections,

by whom also ye have obtain'd the true spiritual circumcision, not effected by men, when you were by a christian circumcision divested of all your carnal affections,

but it is the Jew, who is so inwardly, and it is the circumcision of the heart, according to the spiritual, not the literal sense, which have the approbation, I do not say of men, but of God.

all the Jewish converts, who came with Paul, were astonished to see that the gift of the holy spirit was diffused likewise among the Gentiles.

Peter, and John, who were esteemed to be pillars, perceived the favour that was bestowed on me, they admitted me and Barnabas into fellowship, and agreed, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews.

since it is one God, who will justify both the Jews and the Gentiles, through faith.

and when Peter was return'd to Jerusalem, the Jewish converts objected to his conduct,

Is this happiness then for the circumcised only, or for the uncircumcised also? for we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness.

all the Jewish converts, who came with Paul, were astonished to see that the gift of the holy spirit was diffused likewise among the Gentiles.

Peter, and John, who were esteemed to be pillars, perceived the favour that was bestowed on me, they admitted me and Barnabas into fellowship, and agreed, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews.

For there are many, especially among the Jews, who are obstinate, vain talkers and deceivers;

Wherefore remember that you were heretofore Gentiles, being denominated the uncircumcised, by those who are the circumcised by a manual operation;

and when Peter was return'd to Jerusalem, the Jewish converts objected to his conduct,

at length he gave him the covenant of circumcision: accordingly Abraham circumcised his son Isaac eight days after he was born, Isaac was father of Jacob, who was father of the twelve patriarchs.

What advantage then hath the Jew? or what benefit is there from circumcision?

and he received the sign of circumcision, as a seal of the justification by that faith, which the uncircumcised have: that he might be the father of all those who believe, tho' they are uncircumcised, that it might be accounted to them also for righteousness:

neither are they who are the race of Abraham, all children: but 'tis said, "in Isaac shall thy posterity be called." that is, the children by natural descent are not thereby the children of God: but the children of the promise are alone considered as his posterity. for the words of the promise run thus, "at this time I will come, and Sara shall have a son." read more.
this appears too from the case of Rebecca, who conceived twins by our father Isaac. for before they were born, and had done neither good or evil, that the distinction which God had purposed to make might appear to be, not in consideration of their actions, but of his own free call, it was said to her, "the elder shall serve the younger." as it is written, "Jacob have I loved, but Esau I have discarded."

but he answered, it is not just to take the childrens bread, and throw it to puppies. 'tis true, Lord, said she: yet even puppies eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table.

at length he gave him the covenant of circumcision: accordingly Abraham circumcised his son Isaac eight days after he was born, Isaac was father of Jacob, who was father of the twelve patriarchs.

and he received the sign of circumcision, as a seal of the justification by that faith, which the uncircumcised have: that he might be the father of all those who believe, tho' they are uncircumcised, that it might be accounted to them also for righteousness:

Moses enjoin'd you circumcision (or rather not Moses, but the patriarchs) accordingly you circumcise a man on the sabbath-day.

for in the christian-dispensation, neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision, but an active benevolent faith.

for in the dispensation of Jesus Christ, neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but the new creation.

circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, in comparison of obeying the divine commands.

Whereas we have been appriz'd, that some who went from us, have embarass'd you with their discourse, and unsettled your minds, maintaining, that you ought to be circumcised, and to observe the law, though we gave them no such injunction: after having been assembled,

For there are many, especially among the Jews, who are obstinate, vain talkers and deceivers;

they who desire to make a figure in the world, constrain you to be circumcised, only to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.

said he, how unlawful it is for a Jew, to frequent a stranger, or even to go to his house: but God hath shewed me, that I should not look upon any man as common and unclean.

and ask'd him, why did you go to eat with the uncircumcised?

for till certain Jews came thither from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, for fear of those, who were for circumcision:

for I tell you, that Jesus Christ was a minister to the Jews, to manifest the veracity of God in fulfilling the promises made to the fathers: and you Gentiles ought to glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, "for this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name ."

beware lest any one seduce you by the vain illusions of philosophy, founded upon human traditions, and meer shadows, and not upon Christ: for in him all divine plenitude does substantially reside. and ye are filled by him, who is the chief of all principality and power: read more.
by whom also ye have obtain'd the true spiritual circumcision, not effected by men, when you were by a christian circumcision divested of all your carnal affections, which were buried (as Christ was) in your baptism, by virtue of which you rise (as he did) to a new life, through a belief of that divine power, which raised him from the dead. Even you, who were in a dying sinful state, and were uncircumcised Gentiles, has God raised to life, as he did Christ, having pardoned all your sins: and cancell'd the obligation of the ceremonial law, which was disadvantageous to us, removing that which divided us, and nailing it to the cross. and having divested principalitys and powers, he made them an example of obedience, and caus'd them to triumph in Christ.

by whom also ye have obtain'd the true spiritual circumcision, not effected by men, when you were by a christian circumcision divested of all your carnal affections,

for we are the genuine sons of Abraham, who worship God in the spiritual manner, and value no other dependance than that on Jesus Christ, without confiding in any external advantages:

for it is not the Jew in outward appearance, neither is it the external mark of circumcision: but it is the Jew, who is so inwardly, and it is the circumcision of the heart, according to the spiritual, not the literal sense, which have the approbation, I do not say of men, but of God.

for we are the genuine sons of Abraham, who worship God in the spiritual manner, and value no other dependance than that on Jesus Christ, without confiding in any external advantages:

circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, in comparison of obeying the divine commands.

Circumcision indeed is an advantage, if you keep the law: but if you violate the law, your being a Jew makes you no better than a heathen.

have you so little understanding, as having begun in the spiritual doctrine of the gospel, to turn again to the law?

for I testify to every man that is circumcised, that he is under an obligation to perform the whole law. Christ is of no use to you, whoever of you seek to be justified by the law; you have lost all interest in the gospel-dispensation.

(which kept us at variance) by abolishing the dogmatical injunctions of the law, that having made the peace, he might incorporate the two into one new body under himself;

Wherefore remember that you were heretofore Gentiles, being denominated the uncircumcised, by those who are the circumcised by a manual operation;

being circumcised the eighth day, of the family of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew by descent, by sect a Pharisee.

and he received the sign of circumcision, as a seal of the justification by that faith, which the uncircumcised have: that he might be the father of all those who believe, tho' they are uncircumcised, that it might be accounted to them also for righteousness:

for in the christian-dispensation, neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision, but an active benevolent faith.

since it is one God, who will justify both the Jews and the Gentiles, through faith.

all the Jewish converts, who came with Paul, were astonished to see that the gift of the holy spirit was diffused likewise among the Gentiles.

Peter, and John, who were esteemed to be pillars, perceived the favour that was bestowed on me, they admitted me and Barnabas into fellowship, and agreed, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews.

Moses enjoin'd you circumcision (or rather not Moses, but the patriarchs) accordingly you circumcise a man on the sabbath-day.

and on the eighth day were present at the circumcision of the child. but upon their proposing to call him by his father's name, Zacharias: his mother objected to it,

The eighth day, when the child was to be circumcised, being come, he was named Jesus, the name, which the angel had given before his conception.

Besides, the promise that he should possess the world, was not made to Abraham, or to his posterity in consideration of the law, but with regard to the righteousness by faith.

Is this happiness then for the circumcised only, or for the uncircumcised also? for we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness.

Circumcision indeed is an advantage, if you keep the law: but if you violate the law, your being a Jew makes you no better than a heathen.

for it is not the Jew in outward appearance, neither is it the external mark of circumcision:

for even they who are circumcised, do not themselves observe the law in other respects; but they dedesire to have you circumcised, that they may have matter of glorying upon that account.

and he received the sign of circumcision, as a seal of the justification by that faith, which the uncircumcised have: that he might be the father of all those who believe, tho' they are uncircumcised, that it might be accounted to them also for righteousness:

Circumcision indeed is an advantage, if you keep the law: but if you violate the law, your being a Jew makes you no better than a heathen. if therefore an uncircumcised Gentile keep the moral precepts contained in the law, shall not he be reckon'd, as if he were circumcised? and shall not a Gentile, tho' he is not actually circumcised, if he fulfil the law, condemn thee, who, tho' literally circumcised, dost yet transgress the law? read more.
for it is not the Jew in outward appearance, neither is it the external mark of circumcision: but it is the Jew, who is so inwardly, and it is the circumcision of the heart, according to the spiritual, not the literal sense, which have the approbation, I do not say of men, but of God.

be upon your guard against snarlers, against the contrivances of the crafty, against the spurious breed;

however, Titus who was then with me, being a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised: and as to the false brethren, who insidiously crept in to spy out our liberty which we have by Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into servitude; I did not show them the lest compliance by way of submission, that the doctrine of the gospel might remain among you.

Wherefore remember that you were heretofore Gentiles, being denominated the uncircumcised, by those who are the circumcised by a manual operation;

Circumcision indeed is an advantage, if you keep the law: but if you violate the law, your being a Jew makes you no better than a heathen. if therefore an uncircumcised Gentile keep the moral precepts contained in the law, shall not he be reckon'd, as if he were circumcised? and shall not a Gentile, tho' he is not actually circumcised, if he fulfil the law, condemn thee, who, tho' literally circumcised, dost yet transgress the law?

for I testify to every man that is circumcised, that he is under an obligation to perform the whole law.

her neighbours and her relations having heard how the Lord had heap'd his favours upon her, they congratulated with her: and on the eighth day were present at the circumcision of the child. but upon their proposing to call him by his father's name, Zacharias: his mother objected to it, and said, no, he shall be called John. read more.
they answered her, there is not any of your family of that name.

Moses enjoin'd you circumcision (or rather not Moses, but the patriarchs) accordingly you circumcise a man on the sabbath-day. if to avoid the violation of the Mosaic law, a man be exposed to circumcision on the sabbath-day, are ye angry at me, because I cured a man, whose whole body was indisposed on the sabbath-day?

for it is not the Jew in outward appearance, neither is it the external mark of circumcision:

but it is the Jew, who is so inwardly, and it is the circumcision of the heart, according to the spiritual, not the literal sense, which have the approbation, I do not say of men, but of God.

now they have heard that you instruct the Jews that are among the Gentiles to abandon Moses, by telling them they must not circumcise their children, nor observe the establish'd rites.

so he took him and had him circumcised, out of regard to the Jews of that country, who all knew his father was a Greek.

at length he gave him the covenant of circumcision: accordingly Abraham circumcised his son Isaac eight days after he was born, Isaac was father of Jacob, who was father of the twelve patriarchs.

if to avoid the violation of the Mosaic law, a man be exposed to circumcision on the sabbath-day, are ye angry at me, because I cured a man, whose whole body was indisposed on the sabbath-day?

why therefore do you tempt God to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither we nor our forefathers were able to bear?

and on the eighth day were present at the circumcision of the child. but upon their proposing to call him by his father's name, Zacharias: his mother objected to it,

so he took him and had him circumcised, out of regard to the Jews of that country, who all knew his father was a Greek.

The eighth day, when the child was to be circumcised, being come, he was named Jesus, the name, which the angel had given before his conception.

being circumcised the eighth day, of the family of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew by descent, by sect a Pharisee.

for we are the genuine sons of Abraham, who worship God in the spiritual manner, and value no other dependance than that on Jesus Christ, without confiding in any external advantages:

However some that arrived from Judea, told the Gentile converts, unless you are circumcised agreeably to the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.

The eighth day, when the child was to be circumcised, being come, he was named Jesus, the name, which the angel had given before his conception.

and he received the sign of circumcision, as a seal of the justification by that faith, which the uncircumcised have: that he might be the father of all those who believe, tho' they are uncircumcised, that it might be accounted to them also for righteousness:

by whom also ye have obtain'd the true spiritual circumcision, not effected by men, when you were by a christian circumcision divested of all your carnal affections,

but it is the Jew, who is so inwardly, and it is the circumcision of the heart, according to the spiritual, not the literal sense, which have the approbation, I do not say of men, but of God.