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1 Corinthians 7:21

Contentment

19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commandments is what counts.

20 Each one should remain in the situation he was in when he was called.

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.

23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.

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This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it concern you—but if you can gain your freedom, take the opportunity.
KJV
Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
WEB
Were you called being a bondservant? Don’t let that bother you, but if you get an opportunity to become free, use it.
ASV
Wast thou called being a bondservant? Care not for it: nay, even if thou canst become free, use [it] rather.
DARBY
Hast thou been called [being] a bondman, let it not concern thee; but and if thou canst become free, use [it] rather.
BLB
Were you called [while] a slave? Let it not be a care to you; but if also you have power to become free, rather use [it].
ÅB
Ble du kalt som slave, da gjør deg ingen sorg av det; men kan du også bli fri, så gjør heller bruk derav!
OTB
Ble du kalt som slave? La det ikke bekymre deg. Men hvis du kan få din frihet, benytt anledningen.
B1930
Blev du kalt som træl, da gjør dig ingen sorg av det; men kan du også bli fri, så gjør heller bruk derav!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Peter 2:18–24

    Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but even to those who are unreasonable.

    Read in context

  • Colossians 3:11

    Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all.

    Read in context

  • 1 Corinthians 12:13

    For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.

    Read in context

  • Luke 12:29

    And do not be concerned about what you will eat or drink. Do not worry about it.

    Read in context

  • Luke 10:40–41

    But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!”

    Read in context

  • Galatians 3:28

    There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

    Read in context

  • Hebrews 13:5

    Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”

    Read in context

  • Philippians 4:11

    I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances.

    Read in context