1 Corinthians 7:22

ἀπελεύθερος. Not freeman, with most of the English translators, but with Vulg., Calvin, Beza and the R.V. freedman. Cf. Soph. Fragm. 677 εἰ σῶμα δοῦλον, ἀλλ' ὁ νοῦς ἐλεύθερος. It is the glory of the religion of the Cross that it conquers the world by submitting to it. Neander, Church History, Sec. 1, A remarks on the astonishment which must have been felt when the slave, without rebelling against the condition in which he found himself, discharged all its duties with greater fidelity than before, and yet shewed an elevation of soul utterly unusual in men in his position. But the indirect influence of Christianity (see note on 1 Corinthians 7:17) has introduced a tone of feeling which has struck at the root of slavery and, in Christian society at least, put an end to it.

δοῦλός ἐστιν Χριστοῦ. Cf. Ephesians 6:6; James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude 1:1.