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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - 1 Corinthians 7:21 - 7:21
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Wast thou called being a bondservant? (doulos eklēthēs̱). First aorist passive indicative. Wast thou, a slave, called?
Care not for it (mē soi meletō). “Let it not be a care to thee.” Third person singular (impersonal) of melei, old verb with dative soi. It was usually a fixed condition and a slave could be a good servant of Christ (Col 3:22; Eph 6:5; Tit 2:9), even with heathen masters.
Use it rather (mallon chrēsai). Make use of what? There is no “it” in the Greek. Shall we supply eleutheriāi (instrumental case after chrēsai or douleiāi)? Most naturally eleutheriāi, freedom, from eleutheros, just before. In that case ei kai is not taken as although, but kai goes with dunasai, “But if thou canst also become free, the rather use your opportunity for freedom.” On the whole this is probably Paul’s idea and is in full harmony with the general principle above about mixed marriages with the heathen. Chrēsai is second person singular aorist middle imperative of chraomai, to use, old and common verb.