8 Bible Verses about Circumcision

And some, coming down from Judaea, were teaching the brethren, "Unless ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved."

this one Paul wished to go forth with him; and, taking him, he circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places; for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments expressed in decrees, that He might make the two one new man in Himself, making peace,

where there is no Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.

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

But there rose up some from the sect of the Pharisees, who believed, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses." And the apostles and the elders were assembled together to see about this matter. And, much discussion having arisen, Peter, standing up, said to them, "Brethren, ye well know that, from early days, God made choice among you, that through my mouth the gentiles should hear the word of the Gospel, and believe. read more.
And the heart-knowing God bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as to us: and He made no distinction between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why do ye tempt God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were strong enough to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same manner as also they." And all the multitude kept silence: and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul, recounting what signs and wonders God wrought among the gentiles through them. And, after they were silent, James answered, saying, "Brethren, hear me. Simeon declared 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 has been written, 'After these things I will return; and I will build again the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; and the ruins thereof will I build again; and I will set it up; that the residue of men may seek after the Lord, even all the gentiles upon whom My name has been called,' saith the Lord, Who maketh these things known from of old. Wherefore, I judge that we should not trouble those who from among the gentiles are turning to God; but that we write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from anything strangled, and from blood; for Moses, from ancient generations, has in every city those preaching him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath." Then it seemed good to the apostles and elders, with the whole assembly, to send men, chosen from themselves, to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; Judas who is surnamed Barsabas, and Silas??eading men among the brethren; having written through their hand thus: "The apostles, and the elders, brethren, to the brethren from the gentiles throughout Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting: Forasmuch as we heard that some from among us troubled you with words, unsettling your souls??o whom we gave no directions; it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, having chosen men, to send to you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have given up their souls in behalf of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent, therefore, Judas and Silas; themselves also reporting the same things to you by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that ye abstain from idol-sacrifices, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which keeping yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well."

if, indeed, God is One Who will justify the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith.

For I say that Christ hath become a minister of the circumcision, in behalf of God's truth, that He might confirm the promises made to the fathers;

where there is no Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.

in Whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hand, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ;

in Whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hand, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ;

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

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

And, perceiving the grace which was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas right-hands of fellowship, that we should go to the gentiles, and they to the circumcision;

if, indeed, God is One Who will justify the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith.

And, when Peter went up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision were contending with him,

Does this happiness, therefore, come upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also? For we say, "Faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness."

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

And, perceiving the grace which was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas right-hands of fellowship, that we should go to the gentiles, and they to the circumcision;

For there are many unruly men, vain-talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,

Wherefore, remember that ye, the gentiles in flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called circumcision in flesh made by hand,

And, when Peter went up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision were contending with him,

And He gave him a 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 advantage of the Jew? Or what is the profit of circumcision?

And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while in uncircumcision; that he might be father of all who believe while in uncircumcision, that the righteousness might be reckoned to them;

neither, because they are Abraham's seed, are they all children; but, "In Isaac shall your seed be called." That is, the children of the flesh are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for a seed. For the word of the promise is this: "At this season I will come, and Sarah shall have a son." read more.
And not only so; but Rebecca also having conceived by one, even by our father Isaac (for, the children being not yet born, nor having done anything good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of Him Who calleth), it was said to her, "The elder shall serve the younger." Even as it has been written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."

And He, answering, said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and cast it to the little dogs." But she said, "Yes, Lord; for even the little dogs eat of the crumbs falling from the master's table."

And He gave him a 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, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while in uncircumcision; that he might be father of all who believe while in uncircumcision, that the righteousness might be reckoned to them;

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

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith working through 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.

Forasmuch as we heard that some from among us troubled you with words, unsettling your souls??o whom we gave no directions;

For there are many unruly men, vain-talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,

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

and he says to them, "Ye know that it is unlawful for a Jew to join himself with, or come to, one of another race; and yet God showed me that I should call no man common or unclean.

saying, that he went in to men holding uncircumcision, and ate with them!

for, before certain ones came from James, he was eating with the gentiles; but, when they came, he was withdrawing and separating himself, fearing those of the circumcision.

For I say that Christ hath become a minister of the circumcision, in behalf of God's truth, that He might confirm the promises made to the fathers; and that the gentiles might glorify God for His mercy; as it has been written, "For this cause, I will confess to Thee among the gentiles; and to Thy name will I sing praise."

Beware, lest there should be any one who makes a spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceits, according to the tradition of men, according to the rudiments of the world, and not according to Christ; because in Him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily; and ye have been made complete in Him, Who is the Head of all principality and power; read more.
in Whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hand, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in your immersion, in which ye were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, Who raised Him from the dead; and you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, did He make alive with Him: having freely forgiven us all our trespasses; having blotted out the hand-writing in decrees against us, which was contrary to us, and He has taken it out of the midst, nailing it to the cross; having despoiled the principalities and the powers, He made an example of them, celebrating a triumph over them in it.

in Whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hand, in the putting off of 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 flesh:

For he is not a Jew, who is one outwardly; nor is that circumcision, which is outward in flesh; but he is a Jew, who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in spirit, not in letter, 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 flesh:

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

For circumcision, indeed, profits, if you do the law; but, if you are transgressors of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.

Are ye so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now being made perfect in the flesh?

And I testify again to every man who is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Ye were separated from Christ, whoever of you are being justified by law; ye fell out of grace;

having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments expressed in decrees, that He might make the two one new man in Himself, making peace,

Wherefore, remember that ye, the gentiles in flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called circumcision in flesh made by hand,

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

And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while in uncircumcision; that he might be father of all who believe while in uncircumcision, that the righteousness might be reckoned to them;

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love.

if, indeed, God is One Who will justify the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith.

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

And, perceiving the grace which was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas right-hands of fellowship, that we should go to the gentiles, and they to the circumcision;

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

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

And, when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising Him, His name was called Jesus??hich was so called by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

For, not through law, was the promise to Abraham, or to his seed, that he should be heir of the world, but it was through the righteousness of faith.

Does this happiness, therefore, come upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also? For we say, "Faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness."

For circumcision, indeed, profits, if you do the law; but, if you are transgressors of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.

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

For neither do those themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but they wish you to be circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while in uncircumcision; that he might be father of all who believe while in uncircumcision, that the righteousness might be reckoned to them;

For circumcision, indeed, profits, if you do the law; but, if you are transgressors of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. If, therefore, the uncircumcision keep the ordinances of the law, shall not his uncircumcision he reckoned for circumcision? And shall not the uncircumcision that is by nature, if it fulfills the law, judge you, with the letter and circumcision, to be a transgressor of the law? read more.
For he is not a Jew, who is one outwardly; nor is that circumcision, which is outward in flesh; but he is a Jew, who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in spirit, not in letter, whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil-workers, beware of the mutilation.

But not even Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised; and that was because of the false brethren secretly introduced, who, indeed, crept in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage; to whom not even for an hour did we yield in subjection, that the truth of the Gospel might continue with you.

Wherefore, remember that ye, the gentiles in flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called circumcision in flesh made by hand,

For circumcision, indeed, profits, if you do the law; but, if you are transgressors of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. If, therefore, the uncircumcision keep the ordinances of the law, shall not his uncircumcision he reckoned for circumcision? And shall not the uncircumcision that is by nature, if it fulfills the law, judge you, with the letter and circumcision, to be a transgressor of the law?

And I testify again to every man who is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

And her neighbors and kindred heard that the Lord was magnifying His mercy together with her; and they rejoiced with her. And it came to pass, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they were calling him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother, answering, said; "No; but he shall be called John." read more.
And they said to her, "There is no one of your kindred who is called by this name."

Moses has given you circumcision (not that it is of Moses, but of the fathers); and on the sabbath ye circumcise a man. If a man receives circumcision on a sabbath, that the law of Moses be not broken, are ye angry with Me, because I made a whole man well on the sabbath?

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

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

And they were informed by report concerning you, that you teach all the Jews who are among the gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children, nor to walk after the customs.

this one Paul wished to go forth with him; and, taking him, he circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places; for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

And He gave him a 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 receives circumcision on a sabbath, that the law of Moses be not broken, are ye angry with Me, because I made a whole man well on the sabbath?

Now, therefore, why do ye tempt God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were strong enough to bear?

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

this one Paul wished to go forth with him; and, taking him, he circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places; for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

And, when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising Him, His name was called Jesus??hich was so called 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; 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 flesh:

And some, coming down from Judaea, were teaching the brethren, "Unless ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved."

And, when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising Him, His name was called Jesus??hich was so called by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while in uncircumcision; that he might be father of all who believe while in uncircumcision, that the righteousness might be reckoned to them;

in Whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hand, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ;

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