1 Corinthians 7:17

μεμέρικεν אB. ἐμέρισεν ACDEFG.

17. εἰ μή. Only. Not exactly equivalent to ‘but,’ for this (see Bp Lightfoot on Galatians 1:19) is never the case. The meaning is no general rule can be laid down to meet all cases, except this, ‘let every one walk in the course God has marked out to him.’ See next note.

ὡς μεμέρικεν ὁ κύριος. As the Lord hath appointed. The permission to live apart from a heathen husband or wife is given only to meet a special case, that in which the unbelieving partner demands the separation. The general rule is, remain in the condition in which you were called. That was the rule which St Paul was giving to his converts wherever he went. He now proceeds to give two remarkable illustrations of his principle, calculated at once to arrest and fix the attention of the Corinthians. He applies it to the relations of Jew and Gentile; and to those of slave and freeman, and thus shews that Christianity was not intended to introduce a violent revolutionary element into society, but to sanctify existing relations until the time came that they could be amended. ‘Christianity interferes indirectly, not directly, with existing institutions.’ Robertson. Cf. Luke 12:13-15.

διατάσσομαι. This would seem to be the present of habitual action; ‘this is what I am ordering in all the Churches,’ and not merely at Corinth. πάσαις is emphatic.