These verses continue the theme of staying in the place in which one was called. 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 is a chiasm which includes vs. 17, 20, & 24 (beginning, middle and end) which repeat ‘stay in your calling’ using similar terms. When God converts someone through the gospel; that places them as new witnesses to His saving grace wherever and with whoever they are. In the verses for this sermon, Paul addresses those who were slaves when converted. They are not to be concerned about that, but if there is an option of being freed, they should take it. We emphasize the fact that our status in the eyes of the world, whatever that might be, is nothing compared to the tremendous status upgrade we obtained by God’s grace when He saved us and made us slaves of Christ.

We explain how slavery in the Roman Empire worked and that some slaves in their world had important places of honor if they were slaves of an important person. Even that pales in comparison with being the slave of Christ. We point out that slaves of Christ do not long for the world’s system of honor. We already have the greatest status upgrade that has ever been given: from slaves of sin heading for hell to children of the King heading for eternal glory. Paul called himself a ‘slave of Christ’ in several passages. Paul uses several Exodus motifs in 1 Corinthians. In one of our applications we use Hebrews 11:24-26 where it is said that Moses refused to be known as Pharaoh’s daughter while choosing to suffer with the people of God. We must believe God’s promises which point to eternal blessing so that we do not crave the honor this sinful world has to offer. God’s people were bought with a price: the precious blood of Jesus.