1 Corinthians 7:17-24

Scripture: 1 Cor. 7:17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.

1 Cor. 7:18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision.

1 Cor. 7:19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.

1 Cor. 7:20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called.

1 Cor. 7:21 Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.)

1 Cor. 7:22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ.

1 Cor. 7:23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men.

1 Cor. 7:24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

Teaching: Paul, having just instructed married couples to remain married even if only one has come to faith, broadens this teaching to encompass all facets of life. In verse 17, Paul teaches that the circumstance or position in life that a believer is in when they come to faith should be the circumstance or situation they should remain in, at least for the time being. This is a recognition that God has called them to faith at a certain time and therefore has good purpose in them being where they are for such a time. Paul then gives two examples in verses 18-22, that of Jews versus gentiles and of slaves. The discussion of circumcision was a reference to those who were requiring Gentile Christians to convert to Judaism (and thus, submitting to circumcision as a requirement). Paul addresses the error of this teaching in his letter to the Galatians. He speaks of the same ideas here, saying that those who are not circumcised (gentiles) should not seek circumcision upon coming to faith; nor should one who is circumcised (a Jew) seek to hide or remove evidence of his circumcision. As he says then in verse 19, “For neither...counts for anything...but keeping the commandments of God.” By this Paul means that these are not issues for the believers, but rather a place and a condition that God has called one to be in and witness in. Their goal should be to be where they were, but living without sin in pursuit and worship of the Lord.

His second example is that of slaves – that just because they are slaves when they come to faith does not mean that they should require earthly freedom or run away from their earthly masters. They should rather acknowledge that the Lord has made them free in Him (spiritually) and that they are now promised eternal life and freedom in Christ; thus, they should do all they can now to witness for the Lord in their present condition, trusting in His grace and provision. A powerful example of this today is seeing convicted felons in prison coming to faith and then pastoring within the confines of their prison.

Here is the key to understanding this concept: in the original Greek, verse 24 reads, “as he was called, in this let him remain with God.” As one is called, let him remain there but with God (no longer all alone). Thus, we should not be in a hurry to change everything about ourselves, cut all ties, abandon all responsibilities in some misguided belief that is serving the Lord. Rather, we should trust that God has placed us where we are, guided us through the lives we’ve lived thus far, and in that, He has great purpose for us.

Takeaway: We all live lives of unrepentant sin before we come to the Lord in faith. When we recognize the depravity of our own sin and our need for a Savior, then turning from sin and believing in Christ as our Lord and Savior, there is a temptation to leave everything behind. After all, did not the apostles leave behind their fishing nets to follow Christ? Here is the issue with that understanding: it continues to make our lives all about ourselves. We tend to do this because it gives us immediate relief or make us feel good about our new decisions. But the purpose of following Christ is not to make us feel good about ourselves nor make us holy in our own sight, but rather, it is that we are made holy in the sight of our Lord and Savior by him. We err when, rather than trusting in what God has for us, we envision what we want from God or what we think God wants from us, going forth to build a new life that we design that we hope God blesses after the fact. Are there people and behaviors we should turn from when we come to faith? Absolutely. These are the things that have led us to sin, and repenting, or changing our mind about them, can lead to withdrawing from them. But in this, do not be so quick to cut all ties, for the Lord has placed you where He has for good purposes to which He is calling you. Do not be so quick to presume what God wants from you without first resting in what He has done for you. Take time to grow in the Lord, do not go off on your own hoping the Lord follows. He will lead you where He wants you; don’t take the reins from Him.