Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
7:18-19 Circumcision illustrates the general principle just stated (7:17). All Jewish males were circumcised. Some, seeking acceptance in Gentile society, attempted to reverse the procedure surgically (see 1 Maccabees 1:14-15; Josephus, Antiquities 12.5.1), a practice Paul discourages. Circumcision has little importance (see also Rom 2:28-29; 4:9-12; Gal 5:2-6; 6:12-15; Phil 3:2-3) compared with keeping God’s commandments, such as the commands to love God and others.
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
7:18-19 Circumcision illustrates the general principle just stated (7:17). All Jewish males were circumcised. Some, seeking acceptance in Gentile society, attempted to reverse the procedure surgically (see 1 Maccabees 1:14-15; Josephus, Antiquities 12.5.1), a practice Paul discourages. Circumcision has little importance (see also Rom 2:28-29; 4:9-12; Gal 5:2-6; 6:12-15; Phil 3:2-3) compared with keeping God’s commandments, such as the commands to love God and others.
Literal English (YLT)ⓘYoung's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose.Young's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose.
the circumcision is nothing, and the uncircumcision is nothing — but a keeping of the commands of God.
Greek (New Testament)ⓘA Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.A Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.
η περιτομη ουδεν εστιν και η ακροβυστια ουδεν εστιν αλλα τηρησις εντολων θεου
King James VersionⓘKing James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandments of God.
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is keeping God’s commandments.
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
Circumcision is nothing, and its opposite is nothing, but only doing the orders of God is of value.