not under bondage ) There was more decided liberty in the latter case on this account, that the believing party was not likely to obtain much assistance from the unbelieving magistrate; although, even in the present day, the same principle holds good for liberty and peace; but with that exception [proviso], let her remain unmarried , ver. 11. — lv e/pqvri, but in peace ) An axio-
matic truth ; one that proceeds from things internal to things external. There had been formerly enmity , Eph. ii. 15.
16. T / yap, for what) Therefore thou oughtest not to distress thyself too anxiously ; but to preserve the tranquillity of thy mind, exertions must be made according to the measure of hope. — avdpa — yvvaota, husband , wife) averse from thee, and therefore from the faith. — awasig, thou shalt save) The one con- sort ought to lead, as far as possible, the other consort to sal- vation.
17. E I fjjYi, if not) that is, if this be not so, or, otherwise \but\. There is a digression from husbands and yjives , ver. 10, to any external condition of life. — Ixaaru, to each) It may be thus re- solved, let every man walk, as God hath distributed to him. — sfjj'spnfev, hath distributed) ver. 7. — dig xsxhtjxev, as He hath called) The state in which the heavenly calling has found every one. — 6 K vpiog, the Lord) Christ. — nepiKurs/ru, let him walk) This con- clusion in which permission and command are blended together, is repeated and explained at ver. 20 and 24. Calling from above does not destroy our external conditions. Paul shows that what any one has done or would have done without it, is lawful to be done in it. — %ai ovrug, and thus) a universal doctrine, in which the Corinthians also may acquiesce.
18. Mj} sKifftfacdu, let him not draw) [become uncircumcised]. Many, who had apostatized from the Jews to the Gentiles, recovered their un circumcision to some extent by surgical skill, 1 Macc. i. 15. See Reineccius on this passage. It may be gathered from the admonition of Paul, that they were imitated by some, who from J ews had become Christians.
19. Ovdev lari, is nothing) Comp. viii. 8. So also by parity of reasoning, slavery and liberty; marriage and celibacy, are nothing. — rnp^atg, keeping) An axiom worthy of particular notice. — IvroXuv, of the commandments) Circumcision had been also commanded ; but not for ever, as was the case with love.