And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
Not abusing it - by overmuch using of it. "Abusing" here is not so much perverting, as using it to the full, as our chief portion (cf. Luke 10:40-42). As the planets, turning on their own axis, yet revolve round the sun, so, while we act in our worldly sphere, God is to be the center of our desires.
Fashion - the present fleeting form х scheema (G4976)], not the essence, perisheth (Revelation 20:1-15; Revelation 21:1-27: cf. Psalms 39:6, "vain show;" Psalms 73:20, "a dream;" James 4:14, "a vapour").
Passeth away - not merely shall pass, but is now actually passing away. The image is from a shifting scene in a play on the stage (1 John 2:17). Paul inculcates not so much outward denial of earthly things, as the inward spirit, whereby the married and the rich, as well as the unmarried and the poor, would be ready to sacrifice all for Christ.