Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 7:23

What does 1 Corinthians 7:23 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 7:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 7:23 means

“Ye were bought with a price” recalls the costly redemption accomplished by Christ, who purchased believers for God. Because of this, they must not become slaves of men—that is, do not submit your conscience or identity to human masters, parties, or pressures. This does not forbid earthly roles or lawful authorities, but it forbids letting them define your worth or govern your ultimate allegiance. Christ’s purchase frees believers to live for Him in any station. The cross sets them at liberty from sin and from the tyranny of human opinion. Therefore, they can endure lowly conditions without shame and hold high positions without pride, serving the Lord above all.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

It is the Lord who has made payment for you: be not servants of men.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

with a price ye were bought, become not servants of men;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

You are bought with a price: be not made the bondslaves of men.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Ye have been bought with a price; do not be the bondmen of men.

Context

Building on verse 22’s paradox of status in Christ, this verse grounds Christian identity in redemption. The phrase underscores that believers belong to Christ, not to human systems. This heightens the call in verse 21 to use freedom wisely and relativizes external conditions. Verse 24 will conclude the section by urging each person to remain with God in the condition in which he was called. The flow consolidates Paul’s argument: identity and freedom are found in Christ’s lordship, which equips believers for contented, conscientious service wherever they are.

v.22For 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.

v.23This passage

v.24Brethren, let each man, wherein he was called, therein abide with God.

Cross references

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

  • Titus 2:14

    who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:20

    for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body.

  • 1 Peter 1:18

    knowing that ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers;

  • 1 Peter 3:18

    Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;

  • Galatians 2:4

    and that because of the false brethren privily brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

  • Acts 20:28

    Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood.

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