1 Corinthians 7:22
20 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.
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.
24 Brothers, each one should remain in the situation he was in when God called him.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- 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.
- KJV
- For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.
- WEB
- For he who was called in the Lord being a bondservant is the Lord’s free man. Likewise he who was called being free is Christ’s bondservant.
- ASV
- For he that was called in the Lord being a bondservant, is the Lord`s freedman: likewise he that was called being free, is Christ`s bondservant.
- DARBY
- For the bondman that is called in [the] Lord is the Lord's freedman; in like manner [also] the freeman being called is Christ's bondman.
- BLB
- For the one having been called in the Lord [while] a slave is the Lord’s freedman; likewise the one having been called [while] free is a slave of Christ.
- ÅB
- For den slave som er kalt i Herren, er Herrens frigitte; likeså er også den frie som er kalt, Kristi slave.
- OTB
- For den som ble kalt i Herren mens en slave er Herrens frie person; på samme måte er den som ble kalt mens fri Kristi tjener.
- B1930
- For den træl som er kalt i Herren, er Herrens frigitte; likeså er også den frie som er kalt, Kristi træl.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
1 Peter 2:16
Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.
Read in contextPhilemon 1:16
no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord.
Read in contextColossians 3:22–24
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord.
Read in contextGalatians 5:13
For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.
Read in contextRomans 6:18–22
You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
Read in contextGalatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.
Read in context2 Peter 1:1
Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:
Read in contextPsalms 116:16
Truly, O LORD, I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have broken my bonds.
Read in context