Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Corinthians 7:22

"For he that was called in the Lord being a bondservant, is the Lord`s freedman: likewise he that was called being free, is Christ`s bondservant." — 1 Corinthians 7:22 (ASV)

Paul’s other illustration relates to slavery. The key phrase in this passage is “Don’t let it trouble [GK 3508] you” (v.21). Paul is not speaking against human betterment or social service, but he is stressing that Christians in Corinth should live for the Lord without anxiety in their present situation. If they were slaves when they became Christians, they should live on as Christians even while remaining slaves. He adds a parenthetical comment that “if you can gain your freedom, then do so.” However, the Bible teaches that Christianity does not guarantee material or social betterment but makes it a matter of individual responsibility (cf. Psalms 73; Acts 11:29; Acts 20:35).

Verse 22 refers to v.21. Paul is saying, “If you were a slave when God called you, don’t let it trouble you—you are the Lord’s freedman. If you were free when called, remember you are Christ’s slave.” The spiritual antithesis is striking. The Lord has freed us from the penalty of sin (2 Corinthians 5:21) and from Satan and his kingdom (Colossians 1:13) and bound us as “slaves” to himself (Romans 1:1).