1 Corinthians 7:18

Was any man called being circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Hath any been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.

'called being circumcised?' -'already circumcised?'

'Let him not become uncircumcised.' -'Let him not try to disguise it' (Wey) Many believe that this verse refers to, 'the process of restoring. circumcised person to his natural condition by. surgical operation.' (Vincent p. 219) This custom is referred to in. Macc. 1 Corinthians 1:15 and Josephus' Antiquities of the Jews, XII, 1 Corinthians 5:1.

'call in uncircumcision' -i.e. of Gentile background. 'A Jewish Christian might have. variety of reasons that might prompt him to desire to hide his origin from Gentile Christians and from pagans.. Gentile Christian might likewise imagine it to be to his advantage to appear as if he, too, had originally belonged to the chosen nation.' (Lenski p. 300)

'Let him not be circumcised' -While Paul did have Timothy circumcised. That circumcision was for practical reasons, rather than for spiritual reasons relating to one's salvation. (Acts 16:3) Paul was absolutely unyielding when anyone tried to give it "spiritual importance in the church". (Acts 15:1; Galatians 2:1 ff; Galatians 5:1)