1 Corinthians 7:20

Diff. views are taken of this ver., as κλῆσις is referred to the religious call or secular calling of the man; and as ᾗ is accordingly rendered “wherewith” (instrum. dat [1081] : cf. Ephesians 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:9), or “wherein” (governed by the foregoing ἐν : cf. 1 Corinthians 7:24; 1 Corinthians 7:24; see Wr [1082], pp. 524 f.). The latter interpretation is negatived by the fact that it destroys the unity of sense between κλῆσις and ἐκλήθη (see note on 1 Corinthians 7:18 : does κλῆσις in Gr [1083] anywhere mean avocation?). Besides, “circumcision” and “uncircumcision” are not “callings”. Yet P. is manifestly referring to outward conditions affecting the religious call. The stress of the sentence lies on μενέτω (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:24); and Galatians 3:2 f., 1 Corinthians 5:2-6, give the clue to the Apostle's meaning. A change of secular condition adopted under the idea that circumcision or uncircumcision is “something,” that it makes a diff [1084] in the eyes of God, would be a change of religious princple, an abandonment of the basis of our call to salvation by grace and through faith; cf. Galatians 2:11-21. The Gentile who embraced circumcision in order to fulfil the law of God was severing himself from Christ and falling from grace. The “abide” of 1 Cor. is parl [1085] to the “stand fast” of Gal.

[1081] dative case.

[1082] Winer-Moulton's Grammar of N.T. Greek (8th ed., 1877).

[1083] Greek, or Grotius' Annotationes in N.T.

[1084] difference, different, differently.

[1085] parallel.