ACC ~ 1 Corinthians 7 v23

BOUGHT BACK. ORIGEN: Christ came and “bought us back” when we were serving that lord to whom we sold ourselves by sinning. So he appears to have recovered as his own those whom he created. He has redeemed a people who chose to belong to another, who sought another lord for themselves by sinning. HOMILIES ON EXODUS 6.

THE DEMONIC PLOT TO REVERSE REDEMPTION. BASIL: The price of man is the blood of Christ. “You have been bought,” it is said, “with a price; do not become the slaves of men.” The powers of the evil one are trying to render this price useless to us. They try to lead us back into slavery even after we are free. HOMILY 21.

SO HIGH A PRICE. AMBROSIASTER: We have been bought at so high a price that only Christ, who owns everything, is able to pay it. Therefore whoever is bought with a price ought to serve all the more, in an effort to pay back the buyer. Having been bought by God, we must not once again become slaves of men. Slaves of men are those who accept human superstitions. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

DO NOT BECOME SLAVES OF MEN. CHRYSOSTOM: Free men can enslave themselves by agreeing to serve others out of gluttony, greed or a desire for power. Such a person may be technically free, but in reality he is more of a slave than anyone else. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 19.5.

NO GREATER PRICE. JEROME: What greater price is there than that the Creator shed his blood for the creature? HOMILY 29.

1 Cor