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Pauline Epistles · 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 7 — Let Every Man Abide In the Same Calling Wherein He Was Called

Summary

Touching the things whereof ye wrote unto me — for the avoiding of fornication, let every man have his own wife. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer. I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God. If the unbelieving spouse depart, let him depart. The brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. As God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. The time is short.

Key verse

“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

Outline
  1. v.1-9 Marriage and singleness
  2. v.10-16 Christians married to unbelievers
  3. v.17-24 Abide in your calling
  4. v.25-40 Virgins and widows
Verse-by-verse
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.

Both singleness and marriage are gifts of God. Paul does not denigrate either; he honors them as distributed by God to different people.

A check on cultural pressure toward marriage as the norm. Singleness is a gift, not a deficit, when given by God.

Cross-references Matthew 19:11-12 · 1 Timothy 4:3 · Genesis 2:18 · Hebrews 13:4
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.

The chapter's organizing principle. Walk in your calling. Conversion does not require a change of station; it requires a change in the man.

A relief to converts. You do not need to abandon your job, your relationships, your place — sanctify them.

Cross-references 1 Corinthians 7:20, 24 · Colossians 3:23 · Ephesians 6:5-8 · 1 Thessalonians 4:11
29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;

The time is short. The Christian lives between the comings. The shortness of the time relativizes every earthly circumstance — marriage, business, sorrow, joy.

A perspective for the family man too. Cherish the wife; love her well; and remember the time is short. The heart does not finally rest in her.

Cross-references Romans 13:11-12 · James 4:14 · 1 Peter 4:7 · Ecclesiastes 9:10
Key doctrines
Both Marriage and Singleness as Gifts
1 Corinthians 7:7 · Matthew 19:11-12 · Hebrews 13:4
Abiding in One's Calling
1 Corinthians 7:17 · Colossians 3:23 · Ephesians 6:5-8
The Shortness of the Time Reshaping Priorities
1 Corinthians 7:29 · Romans 13:11-12 · 1 Peter 4:7
Application

Verse 17 quiets restlessness. Abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Conversion does not require dropping everything. Sanctify what you are doing; let the Lord lead any larger changes in His time.

Christ in this chapter

The chapter is pastoral throughout — Christ's love through Paul for a confused church on marriage. Whatever the question, the Christian works it out in the Lord. Marriage, singleness, and calling all sit under His Lordship.

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