8 Bible Verses about Circumcision

And there came down certain men from Judaea, and taught the brethren, Unless ye are circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

Him Paul wished to go forth with him, and took and circumcised him on account of the Jews who were in those places; for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

having abolished in his flesh the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create of the two one new man in himself, thus making peace,

where there is no Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.

As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, these are constraining you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

But there rose up certain believers of the sect of the Pharisees, saying, It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and the elders came together to consider this matter. And after much debate, Peter rose up and said to them, Brethren, ye know that a long time ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the gentiles should hear the word of the glad tidings, and believe. read more.
And God, who knoweth the heart, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, as he gave it to us; and made no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith. Now therefore why do ye provoke the anger of God, by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same manner as they. And all the multitude became silent, and listened to Barnabas and Paul, while they related what great signs and wonders God had wrought among the gentiles by them. And after they had done speaking, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken to me. Simeon hath related how God first visited the gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And with this agree the words of the Prophets, as it is written: "After this I will return, and will rebuild the tabernacle of David which hath fallen; and I will rebuild its ruins, and will set it up; that the rest of men may seek after the Lord, and all the gentiles, who have been called by my name, saith the Lord, who doeth these things, which were known from the beginning." Wherefore my judgment is, that we should not trouble those who from among the gentiles are turning to God; but that we should write to them by letter to abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from that which hath been strangled, and from blood. For Moses from the times of old hath had in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath. Then it was decided by the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among themselves, and send them to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren. And they wrote by them, "The apostles, and the elders, and the brethren, to the brethren who are from the gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting. Whereas we have heard, that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, to whom we gave no command; it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to choose men and send them to you, 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, who will themselves tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us, to lay upon you no further burden except these necessary things: to abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, ye will do well. Farewell."

Seeing there is but one God, who will accept the circumcised as righteous by faith, and the uncircumcised through faith.

For I say that Christ became a minister to the circumcised for the sake of Gods truth, in order to make sure the promises given to the fathers;

where there is no Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.

in whom also ye have been circumcised with a circumcision not performed by hand, in putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ,

in whom also ye have been circumcised with a circumcision not performed by hand, in putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ,

but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, spiritual, not literal, whose praise is not of men, but of God.

And those of the circumcision who believed, as many as came with Peter, were astonished that on the gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit;

and when they knew the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the gentiles, and they to the circumcised;

Seeing there is but one God, who will accept the circumcised as righteous by faith, and the uncircumcised through faith.

And when Peter went up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

Doth this blessedness belong to the circumcised alone, or to the uncircumcised also? For we are saying that Abrahams faith was accounted as righteousness.

And those of the circumcision who believed, as many as came with Peter, were astonished that on the gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit;

and when they knew the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the gentiles, and they to the circumcised;

For there are many unruly vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision;

Wherefore remember, that in time past ye, the gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcised by those who are called circumcised, having the circumcision of the flesh, performed by hand,

And when Peter went up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

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

What then is the advantage of the Jew? or what the benefit of circumcision?

And he received the outward sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was uncircumcised; that he might be the father of all the uncircumcised who have faith, so that righteousness might be put to their account also;

nor because they are descendants of Abraham are they all children; but, "Thy offspring shall be reckoned from Isaac." That is, not the children by natural descent are children of God, but the children to whom the promise is made are accounted as the offspring. For the word of promise is this: "At this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son." read more.
And not only so, but also when Rebecca had conceived by one man, our father Isaac, before the children were born, or had done any thing good or evil, to the end that Gods purpose according to election might stand, not depending on works, but on the will of him that calleth, it was said to her, "The elder shall serve the younger:" as it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."

But he answering said, It is not allowable to take the childrens bread, and throw it to the little dogs. And she said, Yea, Lord; for the little dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from the table of their masters.

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

And he received the outward sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was uncircumcised; that he might be the father of all the uncircumcised who have faith, so that righteousness might be put to their account also;

Moses hath given you circumcision, (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath circumcise a man.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working by love.

For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

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

Whereas we have heard, that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, to whom we gave no command;

For there are many unruly vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision;

As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, these are constraining you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

And he said to them, Ye know that it is an unlawful thing for a Jew to keep company with one of another nation, or to come near him; but God showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

saying, Thou didst go in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

For before certain persons came from James, he used to eat with the gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew, and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.

For I say that Christ became a minister to the circumcised for the sake of Gods truth, in order to make sure the promises given to the fathers; and that the gentiles glorified God for his mercy, as it is written, "For this cause I will give praise to thee among the gentiles, and sing to thy name."

Beware lest there be some one who shall make a prey of you through philosophy and vain deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the rudiments of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and ye are made full in him, who is the head of all principality and power; read more.
in whom also ye have been circumcised with a circumcision not performed by hand, in putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in your baptism; in which also ye were raised to life with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead; and to you also who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he given life together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses; blotting out the handwriting in ordinances that was against us, which was opposed to us, he hath taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross; and having disarmed principalities and powers, he made a public show of them, and led them captive in triumph in him.

in whom also ye have been circumcised with a circumcision not performed by hand, in putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ,

For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;

For he is not a Jew, who is one outwardly, nor is that circumcision, which is outward, in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, spiritual, not literal, whose praise is not of men, but of God.

For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;

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

For circumcision is indeed a benefit to thee, if thou keep the Law; but if thou art a breaker of the Law, thy circumcision hath become uncircumcision.

Are ye so foolish? Having begun with the Spirit, do ye now end with the flesh?

yea, I testify again to every one who becometh circumcised, that he is bound to keep the whole Law. Ye are entirely separated from Christ, who seek to obtain righteousness through the Law; ye have fallen away from grace.

having abolished in his flesh the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create of the two one new man in himself, thus making peace,

Wherefore remember, that in time past ye, the gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcised by those who are called circumcised, having the circumcision of the flesh, performed by hand,

circumcised the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee;

And he received the outward sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was uncircumcised; that he might be the father of all the uncircumcised who have faith, so that righteousness might be put to their account also;

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working by love.

Seeing there is but one God, who will accept the circumcised as righteous by faith, and the uncircumcised through faith.

And those of the circumcision who believed, as many as came with Peter, were astonished that on the gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit;

and when they knew the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the gentiles, and they to the circumcised;

Moses hath given you circumcision, (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath circumcise a man.

And it came to pass that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they were about to call him Zachariah, after the name of his father.

And when eight days were completed for him to be circumcised, his name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

For not through the Law was the promise made to Abraham or his offspring that he should be the heir of the world, but through the righteousness of faith.

Doth this blessedness belong to the circumcised alone, or to the uncircumcised also? For we are saying that Abrahams faith was accounted as righteousness.

For circumcision is indeed a benefit to thee, if thou keep the Law; but if thou art a breaker of the Law, thy circumcision hath become uncircumcision.

For he is not a Jew, who is one outwardly, nor is that circumcision, which is outward, in the flesh;

For not even do they who become circumcised themselves keep the Law; but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

And he received the outward sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was uncircumcised; that he might be the father of all the uncircumcised who have faith, so that righteousness might be put to their account also;

For circumcision is indeed a benefit to thee, if thou keep the Law; but if thou art a breaker of the Law, thy circumcision hath become uncircumcision. If then he who is uncircumcised keep the precepts of the Law, shall not he though uncircumcised be regarded as circumcised? Yea, those who are by nature uncircumcised, if they perform the law, will judge thee, who having a written Law and circumcision, art a breaker of the Law. read more.
For he is not a Jew, who is one outwardly, nor is that circumcision, which is outward, in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, spiritual, not literal, whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workmen, beware of the concision.

But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised; and that because of the false brethren stealthily brought in, who crept in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring into bondage; to whom not even for an hour did we yield by the required subjection, that the truth of the gospel might still remain with you.

Wherefore remember, that in time past ye, the gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcised by those who are called circumcised, having the circumcision of the flesh, performed by hand,

For circumcision is indeed a benefit to thee, if thou keep the Law; but if thou art a breaker of the Law, thy circumcision hath become uncircumcision. If then he who is uncircumcised keep the precepts of the Law, shall not he though uncircumcised be regarded as circumcised? Yea, those who are by nature uncircumcised, if they perform the law, will judge thee, who having a written Law and circumcision, art a breaker of the Law.

yea, I testify again to every one who becometh circumcised, that he is bound to keep the whole Law.

And her neighbors and her kinsfolk heard that the Lord had showed great mercy toward her; and they rejoiced with her. And it came to pass that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they were about to call him Zachariah, after the name of his father. And his mother answering said, Not so; but he shall be called John. read more.
And they said to her, There is no one of thy kindred that is called by this name.

Moses hath given you circumcision, (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath circumcise a man. If a man receive circumcision on the sabbath, that the law of Moses may not be broken, are ye angry at me, because I have restored soundness to the whole body of a man on the sabbath?

For he is not a Jew, who is one outwardly, nor is that circumcision, which is outward, in the flesh;

but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, spiritual, not literal, whose praise is not of men, but of God.

But they have been informed concerning thee, that thou teachest all the Jews who are among the gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children, nor to walk after the customs.

Him Paul wished to go forth with him, and took and circumcised him on account of the Jews who were in those places; for they all knew that his father 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 begat Jacob, and Jacob the twelve patriarchs.

If a man receive circumcision on the sabbath, that the law of Moses may not be broken, are ye angry at me, because I have restored soundness to the whole body of a man on the sabbath?

Now therefore why do ye provoke the anger of God, by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

And it came to pass that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they were about to call him Zachariah, after the name of his father.

Him Paul wished to go forth with him, and took and circumcised him on account of the Jews who were in those places; for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

And when eight days were completed for him to be circumcised, his name was called Jesus, the name given 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 the Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee;

For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;

And there came down certain men from Judaea, and taught the brethren, Unless ye are circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

And when eight days were completed for him to be circumcised, his name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

And he received the outward sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was uncircumcised; that he might be the father of all the uncircumcised who have faith, so that righteousness might be put to their account also;

in whom also ye have been circumcised with a circumcision not performed by hand, in putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ,

but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, spiritual, not literal, whose praise is not of men, but of God.