What happens when you are called and your circumstances are not necessarily in line with God’s ways? Not in the areas of sin, but in the areas of one’s place in life.
He has already talked about marriage. If you come to the Lord and your spouse does not, try to maintain the marriage. But if the unbeliever wants to leave, then let them.
Now it’s time for some other situations: circumcision and slavery.
Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. 18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. 20 Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
These two situations were common to the times. Paul says if you are not circumcised, you do not need to become circumcised, and vice versa. And if you are a slave, it’s Ok. Yes, it is limiting, and you should try to seek your freedom, but you are not in any disobedience, even though God’s servant is not a slave to anyone.
It is about not feeling less just because your situation when you were called to the Lord. Circumcision is nothing. And you can serve the Lord as a slave, but if offered freedom, take it.
What might be similar today is if someone goes to serve in another country and polygamy is the practice of the times. Does it mean that man should divorce all of his wives but one?
This is likely a case where in the same way, a man should be encouraged to care for his wives equally, but not to take any more wives. And new Christians should only marry one woman.