However that may be, let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you. This is my rule in all the churches. Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but obeying the commandments of God is everything. Let each of you remain in the condition in which you were called. (1 Corinthians 7: 17-20)

The translation above is the New Revised Standard Bible. Here is the first verse from the New American Standard Bible: "Only as the Lord has assigned each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And so I direct all the churches."

My own study of the Greek offers, "Only as our master has differentiated each - as God has called each - in this manner let each make his way. So I ordain in all the gatherings."

The challenge is to know the differentiation God intended, rather than that imposed by the arrogance or ignorance of others... or ourselves. If circumcision and uncircumcision are nothing, how do we know God's intention? Paul is not explicit.

What the translators have rendered as "assigned" is the Greek merizo, meaning to separate, cut into pieces, or divide into parts. Aristotle used separation and division to identify shared characteristics that could be classified together.

In choosing characteristics to be classified together Aristotle focused on aims or purposes. The distinctions that matter to Paul also seem to relate to aim and purpose. What is God's aim? God's purpose? What is our relationship with that purpose?