For the third time in this pericope ( 1 Corinthians 7:17; 1 Corinthians 7:20; 1 Corinthians 7:24) Paul stated the basic principle that he advocated. Evidently there was much need for this exhortation in the Corinthian church. [source][source][source]
In our day upward mobility has become a god to many Christians, and its worship has polluted the church. We need to be content to serve the Lord, to live out our calling, whether in a mixed marriage, singleness, a white collar or blue collar Job , or whatever socioeconomic condition we may occupy. [source][source][source]
In this section Paul chose his examples from circumcision and uncircumcision, slavery and freedom. However the larger context of the chapter is singleness and marriage. His point was that those who were single when God called them to follow Him should be content to remain single, and those who were married should stay married. Faithfulness to God or effectiveness for God do not require a change. Yet if opportunity for more effective service of Christ presents itself, one should feel free to take advantage of it. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
1 Corinthians 7:15-24 - Serve God In Your Calling
There was much unsettlement in regard to marriage in the church at Corinth. An unnatural asceticism was showing itself in some quarters and a lawless self-indulgence in others. Against these tendencies Paul resolutely set himself. While he held that marriage should be contracted only in the Lord, he also taught that where it had been consummated it should not be dissolved at the instance of the Christian, though the wish of the unbelieving partner might be acceded to. Children, also, born when one of their parents was a heathen, might be reckoned clean.
The Apostle refers both to vocation and to the Christian life as a divine calling, 1 Corinthians 7:18-24. We are all called to our trade or profession as much as a student is to the ministry. It is interesting that a man will speak of his business as his calling. God has a purpose for each of us, and summons us to fulfill it. Unless we are specially led to do otherwise, we should, on entering the Christian life, remain in the same calling in which our former life was spent. The only difference is that we are to stay in it with God, 1 Corinthians 7:24. In every service, however lowly, we should have an eye toward Christ. All may be done in Him, with Him, for Him. [source]
Chapter Summary: 1 Corinthians 7
1He discusses marriage; 4showing it to be a remedy against sinful desires, 10and that the bond thereof ought not lightly to be dissolved 20Every man must be content with his vocation 25Virginity wherefore to be embraced; 35and for what respects we may either marry, or abstain from marrying
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 7:24
With God [παρα τεωι] There is comfort in that. Even a slave can have God at his side by remaining at God‘s side. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 7:24
1 Corinthians 7:21Use it rather [] Whether the apostle means, use the bondage or use the freedom - whether, take advantage of the offer of freedom, or, remain in slavery - is, as Dean Stanley remarks, one of the most evenly balanced questions in the interpretation of the New Testament. The force of καὶ evenand the positive injunction of the apostle in 1 Corinthians 7:20and 1 Corinthians 7:24, seem to favor the meaning, remain in slavery. The injunction is to be read in the light of 1 Corinthians 7:22, and of Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11; 1 Corinthians 12:13, that freeman and slave are one in Christ; and also of the feeling pervading the Church of the speedy termination of the present economy by the second coming of the Lord. See 1 Corinthians 7:26,1 Corinthians 7:29. We must be careful to avoid basing our conclusion on the modern sentiment respecting freedom and slavery. [source]
What do the individual words in 1 Corinthians 7:24 mean?
Eachwhereinthathe was calledbrothersinthatlet him abidewithGod
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 7:24
There is comfort in that. Even a slave can have God at his side by remaining at God‘s side. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 7:24
Whether the apostle means, use the bondage or use the freedom - whether, take advantage of the offer of freedom, or, remain in slavery - is, as Dean Stanley remarks, one of the most evenly balanced questions in the interpretation of the New Testament. The force of καὶ evenand the positive injunction of the apostle in 1 Corinthians 7:20and 1 Corinthians 7:24, seem to favor the meaning, remain in slavery. The injunction is to be read in the light of 1 Corinthians 7:22, and of Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11; 1 Corinthians 12:13, that freeman and slave are one in Christ; and also of the feeling pervading the Church of the speedy termination of the present economy by the second coming of the Lord. See 1 Corinthians 7:26, 1 Corinthians 7:29. We must be careful to avoid basing our conclusion on the modern sentiment respecting freedom and slavery. [source]