Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 7:22

What does 1 Corinthians 7:22 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 7:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 7:22 means

Paul gives a gospel paradox: the bondservant called in the Lord is the Lord’s freedman, and the free person called is Christ’s bondservant. Union with Christ overturns boasting and despair alike. Earthly slavery cannot cancel spiritual freedom; earthly freedom does not exempt one from serving Christ. All believers, high and low, share the same dignifying Master. This truth purifies motives and levels the community. The lowly can take heart—they are free in the Lord. The prominent must be humble—they are not autonomous. In Christ, status is redefined by belonging to Him, which liberates us from fear and pride and directs our energies to obedient service.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For he who was a servant when he became a Christian is the Lord's free man; and he who was free when he became a Christian is the Lord's servant.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for he who <FI>is<Fi> in the Lord--having been called a servant--is the Lord's freedman: in like manner also he the freeman, having been called, is servant of Christ:

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For he that is called in the Lord, being a bondman, is the freeman of the Lord. Likewise he that is called, being free, is the bondman of Christ.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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.

Context

This verse follows verse 21’s counsel to bondservants and intensifies the theological perspective on status. It prepares for verse 23’s reminder that all believers were purchased at great cost, a likely allusion to Christ’s redemptive work, and its implication not to become slaves of men. Verse 24 will then summarize the section. By placing both bondservant and free under Christ, Paul maintains the chapter’s theme: external conditions are secondary to the believer’s calling to undistracted devotion and obedience.

v.21Wast thou called being a bondservant? care not for it: nay, even if thou canst become free, use it rather.

v.22This passage

v.23Ye were bought with a price; become not bondservants of men.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 116:16

    O Jehovah, truly I am thy servant: I am thy servant, the son of thy handmaid; Thou hast loosed my bonds.

  • Romans 1:1

    Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, calledto bean apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

  • Colossians 4:12

    Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.

  • Galatians 1:10

    For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? or am I striving to please men? if I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ.

  • Galatians 5:1

    For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage.

  • Colossians 3:22

    Servants, obey in all things them that are your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord:

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