Alma’s reference to “the order after which I am called” echoes verse 44: “For I am called to speak after this manner, according to the holy order of God, which is in Christ Jesus.… ” While the language is very similar, the first reference seems related to priesthood authority and the second to priesthood position. However, there would have been no discernible difference for Alma between these two concepts. His priesthood was his calling and position and his calling and position were his because of the priesthood. In this verse he is simply emphasizing a different aspect than his earlier statement. (See commentary accompanying Alma 8:4 for a discussion of the meaning of “holy order of God.”)
Culture: Alma gives a list of people to whom he is to preach—not surprisingly, to everyone, but his verbal artistry places this idea as an expansion of paired sets of opposites. Alma is called to preach “unto all,” which he defines as: “both old and young, both bond and free; yea, I say unto you the aged, and also the middle aged, and the rising generation.”
It is unclear why Alma repeats the general contrast between old and young in the expanded phrase of the “aged… middle aged, and… rising generation.” What is fascinating from a social perspective, however, is the central contrasting set: bond and free. Since Alma’s listeners include those who are literally old and young, it seems likely that the “bond and free” are also literal. It is hard to argue that the phrase is simple rhetoric, since it has no rhetorical force if it is not a possibility.
Thus, Alma seems to acknowledge the fascinating possibility of slavery in the land of Zarahemla, even though Benjamin had prohibited it (Mosiah 2:13). If there is now slavery in Zarahemla, it must be seen as one of the several cultural imports that have accompanied the adoption of other foreign ways, such as the wearing of costly apparel.
Reference: The particular phrasing “bond and free” no doubt owes a debt to Paul. Alma will repeat “bond and free” (Alma 11:44), and that verse also pairs “male and female,” making the literary debt to Paul even clearer: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:28).