1 Corinthians 7:21
What does 1 Corinthians 7:21 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 7:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 7:21 means
Paul addresses bondservants: if you were called while a bondservant, do not be overly concerned. Yet if you can become free, avail yourself of the opportunity. He neither sanctifies slavery nor incites revolt. Instead, he relativizes social status in light of belonging to the Lord. Freedom is good when God provides it, but lack of it does not bar one from full Christian dignity or usefulness. This counsel steadies hearts under imperfect conditions while welcoming providential changes. The church is to regard bondservants as brothers, not inferiors. Paul keeps the focus on calling and faithfulness, assuring the lowly that the Lord sees and will reward their labor.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Wast thou called being a bondservant? care not for it: nay, even if thou canst become free, use it rather.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Wast thou called being a bondservant? care not for it: nay, even if thou canst become free, use it rather.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If you were a servant when you became a Christian, let it not be a grief to you; but if you have a chance to become free, make use of it.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862a servant--wast thou called? be not anxious; but if also thou art able to become free--use <FI>it<Fi> rather;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Wast thou called, being a bondman? Care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Hast thou been called [being] a bondman, let it not concern thee; but and if thou canst become free, use [it] rather.
Context
This verse begins the second application of the “remain as you were called” principle to social status. It balances contentment with prudence: do not be consumed by your condition, but use lawful opportunities to improve it. Verses 22–23 will invert status categories in Christ—bondservants are the Lord’s freedmen; the free are Christ’s bondservants—and remind all that they were bought with a price. Verse 24 will restate the call to abide with God in one’s condition. The flow shows that identity in Christ relativizes but does not ignore earthly statuses.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 12:13
For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit.
- Galatians 3:28
There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus.
- Luke 10:40
But Martha was cumbered about much serving; and she came up to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister did leave me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
- Luke 21:34
But take heed to yourselves, lest haply your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day come on you suddenly as a snare:
- Philippians 4:6
In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
- Colossians 3:11
where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.
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