We are not harmed by chains, or flogging, or death itself; how then can slavery hurt us? The faithful have endured fire, sword, innumerable tortures, anguish, poverty, wild beasts, and countless sufferings even worse than these without injury— yes, they have even been strengthened by them. How can slavery hurt them? It is not slavery that injures us, beloved; the real slavery is slavery to sin. If you are not held in bondage to sin, rejoice and have no fear; no one can harm you, since you are made of such stuff that no one can enslave.
