1 Corinthians 7:18–20

1 CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 7

Instructions with Regard to Marriage. 1 Cor. 7, 1–40.

A general application of these truths: V. 18. Is any man called being circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised. V. 19. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. V. 20. Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.

Just as the matter of marriage was regulated by Paul in such a way that no one was to deal presumptuously, but was always to have the proper regard for God's gift and call, so he wanted the same principles applied in other matters of daily life: As a circumcised person was anyone called? Do not try to remove its sign. Paul is here referring to such renegade Jews, some of whom may have been found in the Corinthian church, as resorted to an operation to efface the sign of their nationality, probably to signify their entire repudiation of the Law. His ruling is strictly against this practice.

And, on the other hand: In uncircumcision, as a Gentile, is anyone called? Let him not be circumcised. It was just as little to be commended that the Gentile Christians attempted to reach the highest state of perfection by submitting to the Jewish sacrament.

And the reason for this uncompromising attitude of Paul was: Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; upon neither of these does the worth of a Christian in the eyes of God depend, in no way do they represent religious qualifications. The observing of the commandments of God, faith working by love, a new creature, is everything. Circumcision is no longer a sacrament, but a mere custom without the slightest religious or moral value; God looks upon the heart, upon the activity which faith develops in observing the demands of His holy will. Compare Galatians 6, 15.

Where true, living faith is found, there the members of one nation are like those of another, there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither German nor American, they are all one in Christ Jesus. Compare Galatians 3, 28. And therefore let everyone remain in that same state in which he was called. It is not necessary to change either nationality or station in life in order to be acceptable to the Lord: He understands every language equally well, and the callouses on a working man's hands do not debar him from any of the privileges of God's kingdom.