1 Corinthians 7:18

16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will ^asave your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

Live as You Are Called

17 But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And ^aso I ordain in all the churches.

18 Was anyone called while circumcised? ^aLet him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised.

19 ^aCircumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but ^bkeeping the commandments of God is what matters.

20 Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called.

21 Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it.

22 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is ^athe Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is ^bChrist’s slave.

23 ^aYou were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.

24 Brethren, let each one remain with ^aGod in that state in which he was called.

To the Unmarried and Widows

25 Now concerning virgins: ^aI have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one ^bwhom the Lord in His mercy has made ^ctrustworthy.

26 I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress—^athat it is good for a man to remain as he is:

27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

Commentaries:

Forerunner Commentary
What is the Forerunner Commentary?

<< 1 Corinthians 7:17

1 Corinthians 7:19 >>

What Does 1 Corinthians 7:18 Mean?

1 Corinthians 7:18-19

Paul says so plainly that it is important to keep the commandments of God! There is no contradiction in the Scriptures. When Paul seems to write about a doing away with the law in Galatians 5, that perception is mistaken. These verses make it clear that it is very important for a person to keep God's commandments, but it is not important that he be circumcised. One changes the heart, and the other does not. The one builds character, the other does not. The one brings a person into the image of God, and the other does not. There is nothing wrong with the rite of circumcision, but do not expect it to have any spiritual impact.

John W. Ritenbaugh
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Eight)

1 Corinthians 7:17-24

Verse 24, as a summary of the whole paragraph, states a general, overall principle: We should be content with where God has placed us. God wants us to be content with the circumstances of our lives, for God Himself seems to be satisfied with them for the time being. What really matters is not what position we have, not how highly regarded we are, not how much authority we have, or whatever—but it is keeping the commandments that matters. If we are in a position, and we keep God's commandments, then it is likely that God Himself will change our circumstances for the better. He will find a way to promote us in time.

Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Countering Presumptuousness

<< 1 Corinthians 7:17

1 Corinthians 7:19 >>

Join 137,059+ readers

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning

Consistent Bible study is hard to start.

The Berean gives you the starting point: one scripture and a focused commentary in your inbox each morning — read it in minutes, or go as deep as you like.

Free, daily, and spam-free. We never share your address. Unsubscribe anytime.