Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Corinthians 7:24

"Brethren, let each man, wherein he was called, therein abide with God." — 1 Corinthians 7:24 (ASV)

Paul points up the priority of Christ’s authority over Christians. In all earthly service they must realize that their obedience and service are to Christ, not to other people. The reason is that God bought us with the price of Christ’s blood (5:7; 1 Peter 1:18–19). Thus, because on this higher level we are slaves to Christ, we are not to become mere slaves of other people. We serve faithfully in our earthly position, but we serve as slaves of Christ (cf. Ephesians 6:5–9, Colossians 3:24; 1 Timothy 6:2). In v.24 Paul repeats the command of vv.17, 20 but adds the phrase “before God,” as though he is saying, “God is looking on and is there with you to help you.”