1 Corinthians 7:17-24

§ 22. GOD'S CALLING AND ONE'S EARTHLY STATION. In treating of questions relating to marriage, the Apostle's general advice admitting of large exceptions (1 Corinthians 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:9; 1 Corinthians 7:15) had been that each, whether single or married, should be content with his present state (1Co 7:1; 1 Corinthians 7:8; 1 Corinthians 7:10-14; 1 Corinthians 7:27). The Christian revolution had excited in some minds a morbid restlessness and eagerness for change, which disturbed domestic relations (cf. Matthew 10:36), but was not confined thereto. This wider tendency the Ap. combats in the ensuing paragraph; he urges his readers to acquiesce in their position in life and to turn it to account as Christians. In Thessalonica a similar excitement had led men to abandon daily work and throw their support upon the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:11 f., 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15). Hn [1075], in Meyer's Comm [1076], p. 229, points out the close resemblance, both in form and matter, between this section and certain passages in Epictetus (Dissertt., I., xix., 47 ff.; II., ix., 19 f.). The freedom of the inner man and loyal acceptance of the providence of God are inculcated by both the Stoic and the Christian philosopher, from their differing standpoints.

[1075] C. F. G. Heinrici's Erklärung der Korintherbriefe (1880), or 1 Korinther in Meyer's krit.-exegetisches Kommentar (1896).

[1076] commentary, commentator.