1 Corinthians 7 · Verse 17

1 Corinthians 7:17

But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
1 Corinthians 7:17, King James Version

1 Corinthians 7:17 in other translations

BSBRegardless, each one should lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is what I prescribe in all the churches.
WEBOnly, as the Lord has distributed to each man, as God has called each, so let him walk. So I command in all the assemblies.
ASVOnly, as the Lord hath distributed to each man, as God hath called each, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all the churches.
YLTif not, as God did distribute to each, as the Lord hath called each--so let him walk; and thus in all the assemblies do I direct:
DARBYHowever, as the Lord has divided to each, as God has called each, so let him walk; and thus I ordain in all the assemblies.
BBEOnly, as the Lord has given to a man, and as is the purpose of God for him, so let him go on living. And these are my orders for all the churches.
WebsterBut as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all churches.

What does 1 Corinthians 7:17 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
17. But--Greek, "If not." "Only." Caution that believers should not make this direction (1Co 7:16; as Alford explains it) a ground for separating "of themselves" (1Co 7:12-14). Or, But if there be no hope of gaining over the unbeliever, still let the general principle be maintained, "As the Lord hath allotted to each, as God hath called each, so let him walk" (so the Greek in the oldest reading); let him walk in the path allotted to him and wherein he was called. The heavenly calling does not set aside our earthly callings. so ordain I in all churches--Ye also therefore should obey.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 17. But as God hath distributed, etc. As God hath divided-- εμερισεν; i.e., given, imparted to any one. As God has given grace to every one. The words ειμη denote simply but in the beginning of this verse. The apostle here introduces a new subject; or an inquiry varying somewhat from that preceding, though of the same general nature. He had discussed the question whether a husband and wife ought to be separated on account of a difference in religion. He now says that the general principle there stated ought to rule everywhere; that men who become Christians ought not to seek to change their condition or calling in life, but to remain in that situation in which they were when they became Christians, and show the excellence of their religion IN that particular calling. The object of Paul, therefore, is to preserve order, industry, faithfulness in the relations of life, and to show that Christianity does not design to break up the relations of social and domestic intercourse. This discussion continues to 1Cor 7:24. The phrase, as God hath distributed," refers to the rendition in which men are placed in life, whether as rich or poor, in a state of freedom or servitude, of learning or ignorance, etc. And it implies that God appoints the lot of men, and orders the circumstances of their condition; that religion is not designed to interfere directly with this; and that men should seek to show the real excellence of religion in the particular sphere in which they may have been placed by Divine Providence before they became converted.

As the Lord hath called every one. That is, in the condition or circumstances in which any one is when he is called by the Lord to be a Christian.

So let him walk. In that sphere of life; in that calling, 1Cor 7:20; in that particular relation in which he was, let him remain, unless he can consistently change it for the better, and THERE let him illustrate the true beauty and excellence of religion. This was designed to counteract the notion that the fact of embracing a new religion dissolved the relations of life which existed before. This idea probably prevailed extensively among the Jews. Paul's object is to show that the gospel, instead of dissolving those relations, only strengthened them, and enabled those who were converted the better to discharge the duties which grow out of them.

And so ordain I, etc. This is no peculiar rule for you Corinthians. It is the universal rule which I everywhere inculcated. It is not improbable that there was occasion to insist everywhere on this rule, and to repress disorders which might have been attempted by some who might suppose that Christianity dissolved the former obligations of life.

(c) "as the Lord" 1Cor 7:20,24 (d) "And so ordain" 1Cor 4:17, 2Cor 11:28 (+) "ordain" "Appoint"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:17-24
The rules of Christianity reach every condition; and in every state a man may live so as to be a credit to it. It is the duty of every Christian to be content with his lot, and to conduct himself in his rank and place as becomes a Christian. Our comfort and happiness depend on what we are to Christ, not what we are in the world. No man should think to make his faith or religion, an argument to break through any natural or civil obligations. He should quietly and contentedly abide in the condition in which he is placed by Divine Providence.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

1 Corinthians 7:17 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

εἰeionlyG1487
μὴmēexceptG3361
ἑκάστῳhekastōto eachG1538
ὡςhōsasG5613
ἐμέρισενemerisenhas assignedG3307
ὁhotheG3588
κύριος,kuriosLordG2962
ἕκαστονhekastonto eachG1538
ὡςhōsasG5613
κέκληκενkeklēkenhas calledG2564
ὁho<the>G3588
θεός,theosGodG2316
οὕτωςhoutōssoG3779
περιπατείτω·peripateitōhe should walk;G4043
καὶkaiAndG2532
οὕτωςhoutōsthusG3779
ἐνeninG1722
ταῖςtaistheG3588
ἐκκλησίαιςekklēsiaischurchesG1577
πάσαιςpasaisallG3956
διατάσσομαι.¶diatassomaiI prescribe.G1299

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Corinthians 7:17

  • 1 Corinthians 4:17

    For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:24

    Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

  • Romans 12:3-8

    For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; …

  • 1 Corinthians 7:20-21

    Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:28

    Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:18

    And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;

  • 1 Corinthians 7:18

    Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:7

    For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:33

    For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

  • Matthew 19:12

    For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

  • 1 Peter 4:10-11

    As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

  • 1 Corinthians 16:1

    Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
as God.
7; Mt 19:12; Ro 12:3-8; 1Pe 4:10,11
as the.
18,20,21,24
so ordain.
4:17; 16:1; 2Co 11:28

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Corinthians 7:16

    For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

  • 1 Corinthians 7:17

    But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:18

    Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.

Read all of 1 Corinthians 7

1 Corinthians 7:17 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Empero cada uno como el Señor le repartió, y como Dios llamó á cada uno, así ande: y así enseño en todas las iglesias.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Toutefois, que chacun marche comme le Seigneur le lui a départi, chacun comme Dieu l’a appelé; et c’est ainsi que j’en ordonne dans toutes les assemblées.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Doch wie der Herr einem jeden ausgeteilt hat, wie Gott einen jeden berufen hat, also wandle er; und also verordne ich in allen Versammlungen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Nisi unicuique sicut divisit Dominus, unumquemque sicut vocavit Deus, ita ambulet, et sicut in omnibus ecclesiis doceo.