1 Corinthians 7:24Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

If it were not so, and if he commanded them to leave their masters and strive to obtain freedom, how could he then say the following? “In whatever calling each was called, brethren, let each remain in that before God” (1 Cor 7:24). And elsewhere: “Let as many slaves as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor. Those who have believing masters must not treat them carelessly, because they are brethren, and they benefit them” (1 Tim 6:1-2). He commands and enjoins the same thing in the Epistles to the Ephesians (Eph 6:5) and Colossians (Col 3:22). Hence it is clear that he rejects not outward slavery, but the slavery that comes from vices. This occurs also among the free, and it is most grievous, even if a free man is subjected to it.

That is, if anyone was called in a state of slavery, let him remain in it. He added "before God" so that, through obedience to lawless masters, one should not fall away from God. He cares for both things: on the one hand, that under the pretext of obedience to God slaves should not fall away from their masters, and on the other hand, that by rendering their masters obedience beyond what is due, they should not fall away from God.

Yet the Apostle himself observes with particular care what he calls others to observe.

Since this is equivalent, he therefore said that each one should remain in whatever calling he was called.

As an intensification of the thought, Paul repeats what was said above (1 Cor 7:17), in order to give greater weight to his prescription.

The Apostle set this both in the preface and in the conclusion of his instruction. And again he passes on to the exposition of a new law.

According to the Apostle, all callings and all conditions are indifferent in themselves and cannot serve as an obstacle to rightly pleasing God. Therefore there is no need to change one's calling for the sake of religion. It is likewise incorrect to see in any condition either an advantage or an obstacle for doing good.

The thought of remaining in the condition in which one was called to the faith serves as the foundation for the teaching on the indissolubility of marriage bonds. It also applies to every other bond not contrary to the spirit of Christian life. St. John Chrysostom says of this: “Let each remain in the calling in which he was called. Were you called in marriage with an unbelieving wife? Remain with her, and do not drive your wife away because of the faith. Were you called as a slave? Do not grieve, but remain a slave. Were you called uncircumcised? Remain uncircumcised. Did you believe while circumcised? Remain circumcised.

Again, for the third time, he repeats the same thing. Here it serves both as a conclusion and as a prevention of a misunderstanding that might arise in some because of the words, “Do not become slaves of men.” I did not say this, he says, in the sense that you should flee from your masters. No. The law stated before remains unchanged even here: one must remain in the same condition in which one was called. Theophylact writes: “By the preceding words the Apostle does not suggest that slaves should flee from their masters. May it not be! That he does not suggest this is clear from the present words: ‘Let each remain in the calling in which he was called.’ That is, even if he was called in slavery, let him remain in it.