{Lawful} (exestin). Apparently this proverb may have been
used by Paul in Corinth (repeated in  10:23 ), but not in the
sense now used by Paul's opponents. The "all things" do not
include such matters as those condemned in chapter  1Co 5  6:1-11 . Paul limits the proverb to things not immoral, things
not wrong _per se_. But even here liberty is not license. {But
not all things are expedient} (all' ou panta sumpherei). Old
word sumpherei, bears together for good and so worthwhile. Many
things, harmless in themselves in the abstract, do harm to others
in the concrete. We live in a world of social relations that
circumscribe personal rights and liberties. {But I will not be
brought under the power of any} (all ouk eg(9320)exousiasth(8873)omai
hupo tinos). Perhaps a conscious play on the verb exestin for
exousiaz(935c) is from exousia and that from exestin. Verb from
Aristotle on, though not common (Dion. of Hal., LXX and
inscriptions). In N.T. only here,  7:4  Lu 22:25 . Paul is
determined not to be a slave to anything harmless in itself. He
will maintain his self-control. He gives a wholesome hint to
those who talk so much about personal liberty.