1 Corinthians 7:21

Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.

Care not for it - let it not be a trouble to thee that thou art a slave.

Use it rather. Either,

(1) Continue rather in thy state as a servant (1 Corinthians 7:20; Galatians 3:28; 1 Timothy 6:2). The Greek, 'But if even thou mayest be made free, rather use it,' and the context (1 Corinthians 7:20; 1 Corinthians 7:22), are cited for this view. What is advised thus is not slavery, but contentment under one's existing condition (1 Corinthians 7:24), though an undesirable one, since in union with Christ all outward disparities are compensated (1 Corinthians 7:22). Be not unduly impatient to cast off 'even' thy condition as a slave by unlawful means (1 Peter 2:13), as Onesimus did by fleeing (Philemon 1:10). The precept (1 Corinthians 7:23), 'Become not [ ginesthe (G1096)] the servants of men,' implies that slavery is abnormal (cf. Leviticus 25:42). "Men-stealers," or slave-dealers, are classed in 1 Timothy 1:10 with "murderers." Or,

(2) 'If called, being a slave, to Christianity, be content; but yet, if also (besides spiritual freedom) thou canst be free (bodily; a still additional good, which if thou canst not attain, be satisfied without; but which, if offered, desp ise not), use the opportunity of becoming free, rather than remain a slave.' This view ore accords with the Gospel, and is fully justified by the Greek; and (1 Corinthians 7:23) "use it" refers plainly to the words just before, "be made free" (2 Peter 2:19).