What is the context?
Paul broadens the discussion beyond marriage: live faithfully in the circumstances in which God called you. He uses circumcision and slavery as examples of outward conditions that do not determine whether someone can belong to Christ and serve Him.
The circumcised person need not undo that condition, and the uncircumcised person need not acquire it. What matters is obedience to God. Paul is rejecting a requirement to gain a different religious or social identity before one can live faithfully.
To the enslaved person, he gives assurance that this condition does not exclude the Lord’s call, while the BSB explicitly encourages taking an opportunity for freedom. The free person also belongs to Christ. Both are reminded that they were bought at a price, so human status cannot become their ultimate master.
Remaining with God is the thread holding the examples together. This does not require refusing every opportunity for change: verse 21 itself allows movement into freedom. The call is to live before God, rather than assuming that another outward condition is what makes faithfulness possible.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Christians commonly read this as directing attention from outward status to faithful life with God. Calvin’s comment on verse 21 and Wesley’s note both recognize freedom as preferable when it becomes available, rather than treating remaining in slavery as the condition for serving Christ.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
Galatians 3:26–29 describes people united in Christ across the distinctions of Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female. Those who belong to Christ share in the promise given to Abraham.
Philemon 15–17 gives a concrete example of a changed relationship: Paul asks that Onesimus be received as a beloved brother and as Paul himself would be received. God’s call reaches people within unequal circumstances while bringing them into a shared belonging that changes how they should treat one another.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.