1 Corinthians 7:18-24 - Addressing ethnic and social status

1 Corinthians 7:18-24 You were brought with a price.

Whose servant, are we?

From last time verse 17, - let each person live the life the Lord has assigned to him and God called him to.

Very encouraging, I don’t have to be someone ells, have other gifts, no there is a path that Jesus has assigned me to walk and God called me to that fits who God has create me to be. (We can stop compering and wanting others gifts and ability and rest in who God remade us in Christ to be).

The same was true of the Corinthians, they did not have to be Romans, Greeks, or Jews, if the were not, they did not have to adjust and look like the elite or socially acceptable.

Paul will address again or continue to address real issues/subjects in the that the Church in Corinth. Paul in this passage, asking them not to change their physical appearance, even social status, but remain as they were before they were called. PPT – because some was trying to change marks of circumcise, to fit in to Roman society, or get circumcised to fit in with the Jewish Christians.  

Paul will point out it is not the Physical (outward) appearance circumcise that saves or unsaveds – but the focus should be wanting to keeping God’s commandments, walking with and following Jesus. (The change that has happened in us or in them no matter what ethnic people they are from).

Following Jesus and obeying God is not connected to your social status (Today even your social media status).

Paul addresses the people in Corith that are slave or bondservants (20-40% lower?) – don’t be concerned about it (you don’t have to get free) you can still serve Jesus and obey God, (social status does not disqualify a person form salvation and redemption, and walking with Jesus Christ). The great news is that they are freemen in Christ, because the have become free in Christ, to live for their new Lord, that all they do including their job is for Jesus. (Do we work and live like that, not to pleas men but to pleas Jesus – do we live out our freedom like that do I? Or do I work for you? I should be working for Jesus my Lord our Christ to give the father glory by the Holy Spirt).

(Some people will say, because Paul is not condemning slavery then he is condoning it and it for slavery. (this would be a misreading or reading something in to the text that Paul did not address or teach).

Trying to explain the social construction of Roman/Greek/Jewish slavery - in Paul’s time slavery was a way to pay your debt, in our day many have debt, and in somewhat they/ we are slaves working off that debt to the bank or whom we borrowed the money from. In Paul time and before you could also be a slave because you were captured in war, - the other choice would be death in the war. (Slavery is still worldwide today than ever – sexual trafficking and more with not system of freedom – but they could be free in Christ Jesus).

Roman slavery and Jewish slavery were a social structure, it was not only good or only bad, -it depended on who you were a slave for. Who you master was. In Rome a slave could have more rights that a normal Roman to do business, you could also be a slave in a mine very dangerous work. Some could also buy their freedom. When you were a slave your owner should provide for you and protect you. Some people in trouble times would sell themself to someone so they would get protection and when the trouble was over by their freedom again).

It is interesting as I was writing being a slave/bond servant what that looks like; is determent by who the owner is. If we are all slaves, who would you like to be your master? Other people or God, Paul writes that we who are free are bondservants of Jesus Christ. (So, we are not free to do whatever we want but what Jesus wants us to do (baring his yoke)– he is the best and greatest Lord/master. Am I a willing bondservant?)

Paul add it is good to take the opportunity to get free if you can – but you are already a freeman in Christ. And the free are bondservants of Jesus Christ. That is the new state we are in and are to live in.

Paul again will say you were bought with a price, don’t become slaves to men. (live a life inside the means that you have and don’t become a slave of men). Have focus on one Lord.

In 24 Paul restated it again for the 3 time. – Paul is more concerned about the Corinthians following Jesus and living their faith out that, changing their body and job and social status, - Again pointing to we are not our own, we and they were bought with a price. – You are to be bound to Jesus Christ the Lord, not to serve men but to serve God.     

The good news here is that no one is left out, you don’t have to be rich or poor, slave or free, Jew or gentile, circumcised or un-circumcised, - all that are called and Jesus has appointed has a place and are gifted to live the life God has for them in the place and life situation that you are in now. We are asked to live our faith now, and not when the kids are older, or when I get a job or am done studying, or when I get a better job, or when my body feels better and so on… God has set us in time and place, with gifts and abelites, to serve and obey God and the call God has for us, and Jesus who set us apart to do it. I Hope this is very encouraging to you. Also, for the children, if you are in Christ, live it out now, by the Holy Spirt, you don’t have to wait to you are 25 years old. And if your 70-80-100 – God still have a plan for you, as long as you are here, we can be encouraged that God can work trough us, and reach, serve people by the Holy Spirt.

Notes:

Not outward marks – but inward change that leads to life lived after God’s commandments. In all life and social situations.

Slave or free? Salve of work, of others opinion, tradition, religion, of my own ambition and goals, money, status, sports, tv, streaming social media, need for likes, man’s praise, debt? Are we slaves of others?

Paul would write don’t bondservants of men, in verse 23, don’t live a life now where you, have to be a slave for others, see Jesus as your master and Lord no other people. – (Form Marriage – discussion, please Spouse, then Jesus, if slave, please earthly master and then Jesus).

Or Free in Christ to be his bondservant