8 Bible Verses about Circumcision

Now some that came down from Judea, taught the brethren, saying, Except ye be circumcised according to the law of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

wherefore Paul was desirous that he should go forth with him, and took and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those parts; for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that He might form the two into one new man, in Himself, so making peace;

Wherein there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free: but Christ is all and in all.

They, who want to make a fair appearance in the flesh, would constrain you to be circumcised; only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.

But there rose up, said they, some of the sect of the pharisees that believed, saying, that it was necessary to circumcise them, and enjoin them to keep the law of Moses. So the apostles and elders were assembled together to consider about this matter. And after much debate, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago, God, who was among us, chose that the Gentiles should hear by my mouth the word of the gospel, and believe. read more.
And God who knoweth the heart, bare witness to them, giving them the holy Spirit, as He had done also to us: and made no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith. Now therefore why do ye tempt God, in 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 through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, in like manner as they. And all the multitude kept silence, and gave attention to Barnabas and Paul, relating what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. And after they had done speaking, James rose up and said, Brethren, hearken unto me. ---Simeon hath related, how God at first condescended to take out of the Gentiles a people to his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written, "After this will I return, and rebuild the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will repair its ruins, and set it up again. That the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the nations, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord who doth all these things." Now all his works are known unto God from the beginning of the world: wherefore my advice is, not to trouble those who from among the Gentiles are converted to God; but to write to them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood. For Moses hath had from ancient times those that preach him in every city, and is still read in the synagogues every sabbath-day. Then it seemed good to the apostles, and elders, and the whole church, to send men chose from among themselves to Antioch along with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas sirnamed Barsabas, and Silas; leading men among the brethren: and they wrote by their hand, as follows, The apostles and elders and brethren here to the Gentile brethren which are in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia, send greeting. Forasmuch as we have heard, that some who went out from us, have troubled you by their discourses, unsettling your minds, saying, ye must be circumcised, and keep the law; to whom we gave no such commission; it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you, with our beloved brethren Barnabas and Paul, who have exposed their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent with them Judas and Silas, to tell you the same things also by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the holy Spirit, and so to us, to lay no more burthen upon you than these necessary things. That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from fornication: from which ye will do well to keep yourselves. Farewel.

surely of the Gentiles also: seeing it is one God who will justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision also through faith.

Now Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the manifestation of the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers:

Wherein there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free: but Christ is all and in all.

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision not performed by hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision which is of Christ:

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision not performed by hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision which is of Christ:

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

And those of the circumcision that were believers, who came with Peter, were astonished, that the gift of the holy Spirit was conferred upon the Gentiles also:

and knowing the grace which was given to me; James, and Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars of the church, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go to the gentiles, and they to the circumcision.

surely of the Gentiles also: seeing it is one God who will justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision also through faith.

And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, those that were of the circumcision contended with him, saying,

Now is this blessedness upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? for we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness.

And those of the circumcision that were believers, who came with Peter, were astonished, that the gift of the holy Spirit was conferred upon the Gentiles also:

and knowing the grace which was given to me; James, and Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars of the church, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go to the gentiles, and they to the circumcision.

For there are many disorderly persons, vain-talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision; whose mouths must be stopped:

Wherefore remember that ye were formerly Gentiles in the flesh, called uncircumcision by that which is called circumcision made by hands in the flesh;

And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, those that were of the circumcision contended with him, saying,

And He gave him the covenant of circumcision: and 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 as a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had in uncircumcision: that he might be the father of all that believe though not circumcised, that righteousness may be imputed to them also:

Nor because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children of promise: but "in Isaac shall thy seed be called." That is, not the children of the flesh are the children of God, but the children of the promise are accounted for the seed. For this is the word of the promise, "According to this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son:" read more.
and not to her only; but Rebecca also being with child by our father Isaac, (when the children were not yet born, nor had done either good or evil, that the purpose of God according to his choice might abide, not on account of works, but of Him that calleth,) it was said to her, the elder shall serve the younger: as it is written, "I loved Jacob and I hated Esau."

But he answered, It is not fit to take the children's bread and throw it to dogs: and she said, True, Lord; yet the dogs eat of the crumbs that fall from the table of their masters.

And He gave him the covenant of circumcision: and 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 in uncircumcision: that he might be the father of all that believe though not circumcised, that righteousness may be imputed to them also:

Now Moses gave you the law of circumcision, (not that it is originally from Moses, but from the patriarchs,) and ye circumcise even on the sabbath:

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but faith which worketh by love.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but being created anew.

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

Forasmuch as we have heard, that some who went out from us, have troubled you by their discourses, unsettling your minds, saying, ye must be circumcised, and keep the law; to whom we gave no such commission;

For there are many disorderly persons, vain-talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision; whose mouths must be stopped:

They, who want to make a fair appearance in the flesh, would constrain you to be circumcised; only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.

And he said unto them, Ye know how unlawful it is for a man that is a Jew, to associate with or go to the house of one of another nation: but God hath shewn me, that I should not call any man polluted or unclean.

Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised and didst eat with them.

For before certain men 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 Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the manifestation of the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers: and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy, as it is written, "For this cause will I celebrate Thee among the Gentiles, and sing praises unto thy name."

Take heed least any one make a prey of you by philosophy and vain deceit, according to the tradition of men, after the elements of the world, and not after Christ: for all the fulness of the deity dwelleth personally in Him. And ye are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. read more.
In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision not performed by hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision which is of Christ: being buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are raised together with Him, through faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead. And when ye were dead in trespasses, and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, and cancelled the obligation we were under by ritual decrees, which was grievous to us, and hath taken it quite away, even nailing it to his cross. And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made them an open spectacle, triumphing over them by it.

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision not performed by hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision which is of Christ:

For we are of the true circumcision, who worship God in spirit, rejoicing in Christ Jesus, and having no confidence in the flesh.

nor is that circumcision, which is only in appearance, in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart in the spirit, not in the letter: whose praise is not from men, but from God.

For we are of the true circumcision, who worship God in spirit, rejoicing in Christ Jesus, and having no confidence in the flesh.

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

For circumcision indeed is profitable, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a transgressor of the law, thy circumcision is become uncircumcision.

Are ye so void of understanding? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

And I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to the whole law. Christ is become nothing to you, whosoever of you are seeking to be justified by the law: ye are fallen from the grace of the gospel.

having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that He might form the two into one new man, in Himself, so making peace;

Wherefore remember that ye were formerly Gentiles in the flesh, called uncircumcision by that which is called circumcision made by hands in the flesh;

having been circumcised on the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of Hebrews, with respect to the law a pharisee,

And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had in uncircumcision: that he might be the father of all that believe though not circumcised, that righteousness may be imputed to them also:

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but faith which worketh by love.

surely of the Gentiles also: seeing it is one God who will justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision also through faith.

And those of the circumcision that were believers, who came with Peter, were astonished, that the gift of the holy Spirit was conferred upon the Gentiles also:

and knowing the grace which was given to me; James, and Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars of the church, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go to the gentiles, and they to the circumcision.

Now Moses gave you the law of circumcision, (not that it is originally from Moses, but from the patriarchs,) and ye circumcise even on the sabbath:

and on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child: and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of his father:

And when eight days were fulfilled for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, having been so called by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

For the promise made to Abraham, or to his seed, that he should be heir of the world, was not by the law, but by the righteousness of faith:

Now is this blessedness upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? for we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness.

For circumcision indeed is profitable, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a transgressor of the law, thy circumcision is become uncircumcision.

nor is that circumcision, which is only in appearance, in the flesh;

For they, who are circumcised, do not themselves keep the law: but they would have you 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 in uncircumcision: that he might be the father of all that believe though not circumcised, that righteousness may be imputed to them also:

For circumcision indeed is profitable, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a transgressor of the law, thy circumcision is become uncircumcision. Therefore if the uncircumcised keep the righteous precepts of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be accounted to him for circumcision? and shall not the uncircumcision that is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision art a transgressor of the law? for he is not a Jew, who is only so in appearance; read more.
nor is that circumcision, which is only in appearance, in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart in the spirit, not in the letter: whose praise is not from men, but from God.

Beware of those that are like dogs, beware of evil doers, beware of the concision.

But even Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised; and that because of the false brethren clandestinely introduced, who had crept in as spies upon our liberty, which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: to whom we yielded no submission, not even for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

Wherefore remember that ye were formerly Gentiles in the flesh, called uncircumcision by that which is called circumcision made by hands in the flesh;

For circumcision indeed is profitable, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a transgressor of the law, thy circumcision is become uncircumcision. Therefore if the uncircumcised keep the righteous precepts of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be accounted to him for circumcision? and shall not the uncircumcision that is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision art a transgressor of the law? for he is not a Jew, who is only so in appearance;

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

and her neighbours and kindred heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her, and they congratulated her; and on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child: and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of his father: but his mother said, No, but he shall be called John: read more.
and they said to her, There is none of thy relations of this name.

Now Moses gave you the law of circumcision, (not that it is originally from Moses, but from the patriarchs,) and ye circumcise even on the sabbath: if then a man receive circumcision on the sabbath-day, that the law of Moses may not be broken; are ye angry with me, because I made a man perfectly well on the sabbath-day?

nor is that circumcision, which is only in appearance, in the flesh;

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

And they have heard of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews, who are among the Gentiles, to forsake the law of Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children, nor to walk after our customs.

wherefore Paul was desirous that he should go forth with him, and took and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those parts; for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

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

if then a man receive circumcision on the sabbath-day, that the law of Moses may not be broken; are ye angry with me, because I made a man perfectly well on the sabbath-day?

Now therefore why do ye tempt God, in imposing a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

and on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child: and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of his father:

wherefore Paul was desirous that he should go forth with him, and took and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those parts; for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

And when eight days were fulfilled for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, having been so called by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

having been circumcised on the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of Hebrews, with respect to the law a pharisee,

For we are of the true circumcision, who worship God in spirit, rejoicing in Christ Jesus, and having no confidence in the flesh.

Now some that came down from Judea, taught the brethren, saying, Except ye be circumcised according to the law of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

And when eight days were fulfilled for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, having been so called 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 in uncircumcision: that he might be the father of all that believe though not circumcised, that righteousness may be imputed to them also:

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision not performed by hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision which is of Christ:

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