Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Corinthians 7:17

"Only, 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." — 1 Corinthians 7:17 (ASV)

But as God hath distributed, etc. As God has divided—emerisen; that is, given, imparted to anyone. As God has given grace to everyone. The words ei mh denote simply but in the beginning of this verse. The apostle here introduces a new subject, or an inquiry varying somewhat from the preceding one, 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 stated there ought to rule everywhere: that people 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, and 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 1 Corinthians 7:24.

The phrase 'as God hath distributed' refers to the condition in which people are placed in life—whether as rich or poor, in a state of freedom or servitude, of learning or ignorance, and so on. And it implies that God appoints the lot of people and orders the circumstances of their condition; that religion is not designed to interfere directly with this; and that people 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 anyone is when they are called by the Lord to be a Christian.

So let him walk. In that sphere of life, in that calling (1 Corinthians 7:20), in that particular relation in which they were, let them remain, unless they can consistently change it for the better, and THERE let them 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 that 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 to better discharge the duties that grow out of them.

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