1 Corinthians 7:21

Servant. Gr. doulos, “slave” (see on Rom. 1:1). Slaves who accepted the Saviour were not thereby released from their condition of slavery to earthly masters.

Care not for it. Do not allow it to be a cause of great anxiety and distress; do not consider it to be a disgrace. Do not permit your newly discovered spiritual freedom in Jesus to make you despise your situation as a physical slave, but learn to be content with the condition in which you were when you found the Saviour (see Phil. 4:11; 1 Tim. 6:6, 8; Heb. 13:5). The slave is instructed to do his duty to his earthly master, thereby witnessing to the transforming power of the gospel (see Eph. 6:5-8; Col. 3:22-24; 1 Tim. 6:1; Titus 2:9, 10; 1 Peter 2:18, 19). God cares for all His children, whatever their position in life may be, and He will give grace and strength to each one according to his needs and circumstances (see Phil. 4:19).

Use it rather. Two interpretations of the second half of this verse are given by commentators, depending on whether the clause “use it rather” refers to the use of freedom or to the use of slavery. According to the one interpretation, converted slaves were told not to be concerned about their social condition. Even if they might legitimately obtain their freedom, they should not be anxious to do so, but should remain in slavery, knowing that freedmen and slaves are all one in Christ (see 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27, 28; Col. 3:11). Moreover, this present evil state is soon to be brought to an end by the second coming of Jesus (see 1 Cor. 7:26, 29), and then all believers who are now slaves will be made physically as well as spiritually free. The other interpretation presents the passage as an exhortation to the believing slave to avail himself of the offer of freedom if he has the opportunity to do so. This latter interpretation is in harmony with Paul’s counsel regarding mixed marriages (see v. 15). It is impossible to determine conclusively Paul’s meaning.