1 CORINTHIANS 7:18 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.”
Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. — The circumcision question moves from marriage to the paradigmatic identity marker of Jewishness. Becoming uncircumcised (i.e., surgical restoration, periotomē) was attempted by some Hellenized Jews seeking to hide their identity (1 Macc 1:15). Conversely, some gentile converts to Christianity may have felt pressure to be circumcised to be 'truly' part of God's people. Paul declares both moves unnecessary: remain in your status at conversion.
Church Fathers on 1 Corinthians 7:18
And again, “Only as God has distributed to each man, as the Lord has called each, so let him walk. Was any one called being circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was any called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandments of God. Let each man abide in that calling wherein he was called. Were you called, being a slave? Care not for it.” These things contribute nothing unto…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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