1 Corinthians 7:17-20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:17-24

Here the apostle takes occasion to advise them to continue in the state and condition in which Christianity found them, and in which they became converts to it. And here, I. He lays down this rule in general?as God hath distributed to every one. Note, Our states and circumstances in this world are distributions of divine Providence. This fixes the bounds of men's habitations, and orders their steps. God setteth up and pulleth down. And again, As the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 7:17-24

7:17-24 The one thing that is necessary is that each man should walk as God has allotted to him and as God has called him. It is thus that I order things in all the Churches. Was any man called after he had been circumcised? Let him not try to efface it. Was any man called when he was not circumcised? Let him not get himself circumcised. Circumcision is of no importance and uncircumcision is of no importance, but keeping God's commandments is everything. Let each man remain in the condition... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:17

But as God hath distributed to every man ,.... This text is so placed, and the words of it so expressed, as that it may have regard both to what goes before, and follows after; it may have respect to every man's proper gift, whether of continence, or of disposition to marriage, which every man has of God, 1 Corinthians 7:7 , and accordingly ought to live in a single, or in a married state; or it may refer to the last verse, what knowest thou , &c.; and ει μη , which we render... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:18

Is any man called being circumcised ?.... That is, if any man that is a Jew, who has been circumcised in his infancy, is called by the grace of God, as there were many in those days, and many of them in the church at Corinth: let him not become uncircumcised ; or "draw on" the foreskin; as some did in the times of Antiochus, for fear of him, and to curry favour with him, who, it is said, 1Maccab. 1:15, "made themselves uncircumcised", and forsook the holy covenant; and so did Menelaus,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:19

Circumcision is nothing ,.... In the affair of justification before God, and acceptance with him; it cannot make any man righteous in the sight of God, nor recommend him to the divine favour; it is no evidence of a man's calling, or of his having the truth or grace of God in him; nor is it of any avail in the business of salvation. It was something formerly; it was a command and an ordinance of God, to Abraham and his natural seed; it pointed at the corruption and pollution of nature; was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:20

Let every man abide in the same calling ,.... Civil calling, station, and business of life, wherein he was called ; that is, in which he was when he was called by the grace of God; and is to be understood of such a calling, station, and business of life, as is lawful, honest, and of good report; otherwise he ought not to abide in it, but betake himself to another, as Matthew and Zacchaeus, when called by grace, left the scandalous employment of a publican: nor is it the apostle's sense,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 7:17

But as God hath distributed to every man, etc. - Let every man fulfill the duties of the state to which God in the course of his providence has called him. So ordain I in all Churches - I do not lay on you a burden which others are not called to bear: this is the general rule which, by the authority of God, I impose on every Christian society. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 7:18

Is any man called being circumcised? - Is any man who was formerly a Jew converted to Christianity? Let him not become circumcised - Let him not endeavor to abolish the sign of the old covenant, which he bears in his flesh. The Greek words μη επισπασθω , let him not draw over, are evidently an elliptical expression: the word την ακροβυστιαν , the fore-skin, being understood; which, indeed, is added by the Armenian and the Itala, and several of the Latin fathers. It is a fact that it... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 7:19

Circumcision is nothing - Circumcision itself, though commanded of God, is nothing of itself, it being only a sign of the justification which should be afterwards received by faith. At present, neither it nor its opposite either hinders or furthers the work of grace; and keeping the commandments of God, from his love shed abroad in a believing heart, is the sum and substance of religion. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 7:20

Let every man abide in the same calling - As both the circumcised and uncircumcised, in Christ, have the same advantages, and to their believing the same facilities; so any situation of life is equally friendly to the salvation of the soul, if a man be faithful to the grace he has received. Therefore, in all situations a Christian should be content, for all things work together for good to him who loves God. read more

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