1 Corinthians 7:20
18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man still uncircumcised when called? He should not be circumcised.
19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commandments is what counts.
Each one should remain in the situation he was in when he was called.
21 Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it concern you—but if you can gain your freedom, take the opportunity.
22 For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman. Conversely, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Each one should remain in the situation he was in when he was called.
- KJV
- Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
- WEB
- Let each man stay in that calling in which he was called.
- ASV
- Let each man abide in that calling wherein he was called.
- DARBY
- Let each abide in that calling in which he has been called.
- BLB
- Each in the calling in which he has been called—in this let him remain.
- ÅB
- Hver bli i det kall han ble kalt i!
- OTB
- Hver person skal forbli i den tilstanden de ble kalt.
- B1930
- Hver bli i det kall han blev kalt i!
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
1 Corinthians 7:17
Regardless, each one should lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is what I prescribe in all the churches.
Read in context1 Thessalonians 4:11
and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.
Read in contextProverbs 27:8
Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who wanders from his home.
Read in context2 Thessalonians 3:12
We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living.
Read in context1 Corinthians 7:21–24
Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it concern you—but if you can gain your freedom, take the opportunity.
Read in contextLuke 3:10–14
The crowds asked him, “What then should we do?”
Read in context