I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. A slave sees all of life from the viewpoint of slavery. He does not see himself as possessing the same rights as free men and women. Please understand me, when this slavery is involuntary it is cruel and dehumanizing. When the slavery is freely chosen, however, everything is changed.
Voluntary servitude is a great joy.
But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. The image of slavery may be difficult for us, but it was not hard for the apostle Paul. But whatever word we decide to use, let us be certain that we understand that Paul meant he had freely given up his rights. Therefore, the fear that we will be taken advantage of and stepped on is justified. That is exactly what may happen.