King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ 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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Only let each person live the life the Lord has assigned him and live it in the condition he was in when God called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the congregations.
Berean Standard Bible:
Regardless, 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.
American Standard Version:
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.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
But{G1508} as{G5613} God{G2316} hath distributed{G3307} to every man{G1538}, as{G5613} the Lord{G2962} hath called{G2564} every one{G1538}, so{G3779} let him walk{G4043}. And{G2532} so{G3779} ordain I{G1299} in{G1722} all{G3956} churches{G1577}.
Cross-References (KJV):
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
- 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.
Romans 12:8
- Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, [let him do it] with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
2 Corinthians 8:18
- And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise [is] in the gospel throughout all the churches;
1 Corinthians 7:20
- Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
1 Corinthians 7:21
- Art thou called [being] a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use [it] rather.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 1 Corinthians 7:17
1 Corinthians 7:17 is a verse in the New Testament where the Apostle Paul is addressing the Corinthian church on matters of personal conduct within the context of Christian life. In this verse, Paul emphasizes the principle that each person should live out their faith according to the situation in which God has placed them. The historical context of this verse is rooted in the diverse society of Corinth, which was a bustling cosmopolitan city with a mix of cultural and religious backgrounds.
The themes of the verse include the sovereignty of God in assigning individual circumstances, the call of the Lord which is unique to each person, and the importance of living consistently with one's calling. Paul is advocating for contentment and faithfulness within one's own life circumstances, whether one is single or married, Jewish or Gentile, slave or free. He is not suggesting that one's status should not change if the opportunity arises (as seen in the broader context of the chapter), but rather that these circumstances should not be a barrier to living a life pleasing to God.
Paul's instruction to "walk" as God has distributed and called each person is a metaphor for one's manner of life or conduct. He is reinforcing the idea that one's spiritual life and personal conduct are not dependent on external changes but rather on one's response to God's call. Furthermore, Paul indicates that his advice is not unique to Corinth but is a directive he gives to all churches, suggesting a universal application of this principle in early Christian communities. This verse reflects the early church's grappling with how to live out faith in diverse and sometimes challenging social contexts.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G1508
There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰ μή
Transliteration: ei mḗ
Pronunciation: i may
Description: from εἰ and μή; if not:--but, except (that), if not, more than, save (only) that, saving, till. - Strong's Number: G5613
There are 433 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὡς
Transliteration: hōs
Pronunciation: hoce
Description: probably adverb of comparative from ὅς; which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows):--about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed. - Strong's Number: G2316
There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: θεός
Transliteration: theós
Pronunciation: theh'-os
Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward). - Strong's Number: G3307
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μερίζω
Transliteration: merízō
Pronunciation: mer-id'-zo
Description: from μέρος; to part, i.e. (literally) to apportion, bestow, share, or (figuratively) to disunite, differ:--deal, be difference between, distribute, divide, give participle - Strong's Number: G1538
There are 78 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἕκαστος
Transliteration: hékastos
Pronunciation: hek'-as-tos
Description: as if a superlative of (afar); each or every:--any, both, each (one), every (man, one, woman), particularly. - Strong's Number: G2962
There are 687 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: κύριος
Transliteration: kýrios
Pronunciation: koo'-ree-os
Description: from (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title):-- God, Lord, master, Sir. - Strong's Number: G2564
There are 138 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καλέω
Transliteration: kaléō
Pronunciation: kal-eh'-o
Description: akin to the base of κελεύω; to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise):--bid, call (forth), (whose, whose sur-)name (was (called)). - Strong's Number: G3779
There are 206 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὕτω
Transliteration: hoútō
Pronunciation: hoo'-toce
Description: adverb from οὗτος; in this way (referring to what precedes or follows):--after that, after (in) this manner, as, even (so), for all that, like(-wise), no more, on this fashion(-wise), so (in like manner), thus, what. - Strong's Number: G4043
There are 90 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: περιπατέω
Transliteration: peripatéō
Pronunciation: per-ee-pat-eh'-o
Description: from περί and πατέω; to tread all around, i.e. walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary):--go, be occupied with, walk (about). - Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G1299
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: διατάσσω
Transliteration: diatássō
Pronunciation: dee-at-as'-so
Description: from διά and τάσσω; to arrange thoroughly, i.e. (specially) institute, prescribe, etc.:--appoint, command, give, (set in) order, ordain. - Strong's Number: G1722
There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐν
Transliteration: en
Pronunciation: en
Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition. - Strong's Number: G3956
There are 1075 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πᾶς
Transliteration: pâs
Pronunciation: pas
Description: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever. - Strong's Number: G1577
There are 115 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐκκλησία
Transliteration: ekklēsía
Pronunciation: ek-klay-see'-ah
Description: from a compound of ἐκ and a derivative of καλέω; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):--assembly, church.