Charles Ellicott 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 . . .—Regarding 1 Corinthians 7:16 as a kind of parenthesis, these words follow on from 1 Corinthians 7:15 as a general principle to be always kept in mind, as limiting in practice the very broad liberty which the Apostle has given regarding separation in cases of mixed marriages.

It should be noted that in 1 Corinthians 7:15 the unbelieving partner is the only one who is spoken of as taking an active part in the separation. The believer is, merely for the sake of peace, to accept it; he is never to cause or promote a separation. This is because he is to be guided by the great principle that we are to continue to walk in those social and political relations by which we were bound when God called us.

Christianity does not destroy these relations, but purifies and exalts them, and thus makes them more binding on us than before. As the Lord has divided to each man his portion in life, and as God has called each man, so in that condition let him continue to walk as a Christian. Let him not try to change it for another.

The words “God” and “Lord” have been transposed by later copyists. The order in the English version is different from that in the older manuscripts. It is important to preserve the accurate reading here, for it speaks of Christ—“the Lord”—as the one who allots to men their natural condition in life, while “God” calls them from heathenism to the Christian faith.

And so ordain I in all churches.—This principle was of universal application, and the Apostle lays it down authoritatively for all Churches. The I is emphatic, as the writer speaks with apostolic authority. It is noticeable that in some few later manuscripts there is an attempt to weaken its force by the substitution of “I teach” for “I appoint or direct.” (See 1 Corinthians 16:1.)