1 Corinthians 7:21

“Art thou called being a servant? etc.] That is, called by grace whilst in the condition of a servant, care not for it; do not be troubled at it, and uneasy with it; be not anxiously solicitous to be otherwise; bear the yoke patiently, go through thy servitude cheerfully, and serve thy master faithfully; do not look upon it as any objection to thy calling, any contradiction to thy Christian liberty, or as unworthy of, and a reproach upon thy profession of Christ: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. The Syriac renders the last clause, jwlptd Æl ybg, “choose for thyself to serve”; perfectly agreeable to the sense given of the words, by several great critics and excellent…”

“care not for it--Let it not be a trouble to thee that thou art a servant or slave. use it rather--Continue rather in thy state as a servant (Co1 7:20; Gal 3:28; Ti1 6:2). The Greek, "But if even thou mayest be made free, use it," and the context (Co1 7:20, Co1 7:22) favors this view [CHRYSOSTOM, BENGEL, and ALFORD]. This advice (if this translation be right) is not absolute, as the spirit of the Gospel is against slavery. What is advised here is, contentment under one's existing condition (Co1 7:24), though an undesirable one, since in our union with Christ all outward disparities of condition are compensated (Co1 7:22). Be not unduly impatient to cast off "even" thy condition as a servant…”

“Being a servant - (δοῦλος doulos). A slave. Slaves abounded in Greece and in every part of the pagan world. Athens, e. g., had, in her best days, 20,000 freemen, and 400,000 slaves. See the condition of the pagan world on this subject illustrated at length, and in a very learned manner, by B. B. Edwards, in the Bib. Repository for October, 1835, pp. 411-436. It was a very important subject to inquire what ought to be done in such instances. Many slaves who had been converted might argue that the institution of slavery was contrary to the rights of man; that it destroyed their equality with other people; that it was cruel, and oppressive, and unjust in the highest degree; and that therefore…”

“Care not for it - Do not anxiously seek liberty. But if thou canst be free, use it rather - Embrace the opportunity. 1 Corinthians 7:22”

“7:21-23 Slavery illustrates the general principle stated in 7:17, 20, 24. Slavery was widespread in the Greco-Roman world, and many Christian converts were slaves serving rich families. Like circumcision, one’s own slavery is, according to Paul, a relatively unimportant issue for the Christian. Even as a slave, the Christian is spiritually free from the power of sin, death, and the law (see Rom 6:14; 7:4-6; 8:2). And as a freeman, the believer is still a slave of Christ (see Eph 6:5-6; 1 Pet 2:16). • As one who has been purchased at a high price (see 1 Cor 6:20), the free Christian ought not to be enslaved by the world.”

“being: Co1 12:13; Gal 3:28; Col 3:11; Ti1 6:1-3; Pe1 2:18-24 a servant: Rather, a slave, δουλος \[Strong's G1401\], the property of another, and bought with his money. In these verses the apostle shows that Christianity makes no change in our civil connections. care: Luk 10:40, Luk 10:41, Luk 12:29 \*marg. Luk 21:34; Phi 4:6, Phi 4:11; Heb 13:5; Pe1 5:7 1 Corinthians 7:22”