In his letter to the Corinthian church, the apostle Paul furnishes another lesson of instruction, expressive of his views and feelings on the subject of slavery.  “Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.  Art thou called being a servant? care not for it:  but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.  For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman:  likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.  Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men."[A]

[Footnote A:  1 Cor. vii. 20-23.]

In explaining and applying this passage, it is proper to suggest,

1.  That it could not have been the object of the apostle to bind the Corinthian converts to the stations and employments in which the Gospel found them.  For he exhorts some of them to escape, if possible, from their present condition.  In the servile state, “under the yoke,” they ought not to remain unless impelled by stern necessity.  “If thou canst be free, use it rather.”  If they ought to prefer freedom to bondage and to exert themselves to escape from the latter for the sake of the former, could their master consistently with the claims and spirit of the Gospel have hindered or discouraged them in so doing?  Their “brother” could he be, who kept “the yoke” upon their neck, which the apostle would have them shake off if possible?  And had such masters been members of the Corinthian church, what inferences must they have drawn from this exhortation to their servants?  That the apostle regarded slavery as a Christian institution?—­or could look complacently on any efforts to introduce or maintain it in the church?  Could they have expected less from him than a stern rebuke, if they refused to exert themselves in the cause of freedom?

2.  But while they were to use their freedom, if they could obtain it, they should not, even on such a subject, give themselves up to ceaseless anxiety.  “The Lord was no respecter of persons.”  They need not fear, that the “low estate,” to which they had been wickedly reduced, would prevent them from enjoying the gifts of his hand or the light of his countenance. He would respect their rights, sooth their sorrows, and pour upon their hearts, and cherish there, the spirit of liberty.  “For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman.”  In him, therefore, should they cheerfully confide.

3.  The apostle, however, forbids them so to acquiesce in the servile relation, as to act inconsistently with their Christian obligations.  To their Savior they belonged.  By his blood they had been purchased.  It should be their great object, therefore, to render Him a hearty and effective service.  They should permit no man, whoever he might be, to thrust in himself between them and their Redeemer. “Ye are bought with a price; BE NOT YE THE SERVANTS OF MEN.”