Status and Striving for More

1 Corinthians 7:17-24

¹⁷Only 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. ¹⁸Was 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. ¹⁹For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. ²⁰Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. ²¹Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) ²²For 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. ²³You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. ²⁴So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

Antithetical to the American ethos are the words of this passage. We are taught from our birth that you can always improve your station in life and in fact you must do so. There’s always something more, something better for you to strive toward and everything is geared toward making that happen. Now Paul says that your station in life really doesn't matter. Instead, be content wherever you find yourself.

Paul’s examples for this start with circumcision. All Jewish men were circumcised on the 8^th day of their lives. Circumcision set God’s people apart in the Old Testament. But the advent of Jesus meant that circumcision was no longer a part of the faithful’s walk. Naturally, there was some confusion as the newly born Christian community tries to find God’s way in this new reality.

If someone was called to the faith as a circumcised person, he should not have an operation to conceal his circumcision. Such operations had become popular as Israel was subjected to cultural pressure from its Greek-speaking environment, and Jewish men wished to compete in the gymnasium without embarrassment.

Josephus, Antiquities, 12.241 (12.5.1).

Paul’s letter to the Galatians deals in great detail with the whole concept of becoming Jewish in order to then follow Christ. He is very clear about the fact this this is not necessary and paints a picture of equality for all people before the throne of God.

Galatians 3:28-29

²⁸There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

After circumcision, Paul takes up the issue of slavery. Of course slavery is terrible, and we can never say that God approves of slavery. His stance seems similar to that of divorce; He hates it but recognizes that it is a part of our sin-filled time on earth. To say that He tolerates these things might be an overstatement, but it seems to fit. Paul encourages even slaves to try and live with contentment inside of their circumstance. But – if they have the opportunity for freedom, take it, by all means.

Martin Luther spoke to this situation, using Joseph, the Pharaoh’s slave, as an example.

Luther compares Joseph’s quest for release from prison: (Gen 40:12–15). He [Joseph] is an example of the doctrine which Paul hands down in 1 Cor. 7:21: “Were you a slave when called? Never mind. But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.” We should not bring evils and dangers upon ourselves. But when we are afflicted either by chance or by God’s will, then whatever misfortune there is must be borne steadfastly and with great courage, yet not in such a way that we neglect the plans and assistance by which we can be liberated. For it is tempting God to despise the remedies for evils―the remedies offered and shown by God.

(LW 7:113)

Something we could ponder more in our own culture is that God is not looking at the externals. Instead of externals, God is looking for obedience (which was also true in the Old Testament – but that’s a longer discussion.) All of the New Testament writers speak with the same message regarding this issue. Obedience to God, which is summarized in the command to love God and one another, living lives of service. If I’m busy with service, I don’t have much time to strive for greater status.

1 John 3:23-34

²³ And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. ²⁴ Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.