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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Corinthians 7:20 Each one should remain in the situation he was in when he was called.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/7-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/46_1Co_07_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Corinthians 7:20 - Live Your Calling" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Each one should remain in the situation he was in when he was called." /><script type="application/javascript" 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width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-19.htm" title="1 Corinthians 7:19">◄</a> 1 Corinthians 7:20 <a href="/1_corinthians/7-21.htm" title="1 Corinthians 7:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/7.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/7.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/7.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_corinthians/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Each one should remain in the situation he was in when he was called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Each in the calling in which he has been called, in this let him abide.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_corinthians/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_corinthians/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Each <i>person</i> is to remain in that state in which he was called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_corinthians/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Let each man remain in that condition in which he was called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_corinthians/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Each one should remain in the condition in which he was [when he was] called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Let each of you remain in the situation in which he was called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Each person should remain in the life situation in which he was called. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_corinthians/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Let each man abide in that calling wherein he was called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_corinthians/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />So don't try to change what you were when God chose you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_corinthians/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Let each man abide in that calling wherein he was called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_corinthians/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />All people should stay as they were when they were called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_corinthians/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Each of you should remain as you were when you accepted God's call. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_corinthians/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Everyone should stay in the same condition in which he was called. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_corinthians/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Let each one remain in that situation in life in which he was called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_corinthians/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Let each person stay in that calling in which he was called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_corinthians/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Let every man continue in the same calling in which he was called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/1_corinthians/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Whatever be the condition in life in which a man was, when he was called, in that let him continue.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Each one should remain in the situation he was in when he was called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_corinthians/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Let each man stay in that calling in which he was called. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_corinthians/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Each in the calling in which he was called—in this let him remain;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Each in the calling in which he has been called, in this let him abide.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_corinthians/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Each in the calling in which he was called -- in this let him remain;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_corinthians/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Each in the calling which he was called, in this let him remain.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Let every man abide in the same calling in which he was called. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_corinthians/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Let each and every one remain in the same calling to which he was called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_corinthians/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Everyone should remain in the state in which he was called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_corinthians/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Let each of you remain in the condition in which you were called.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_corinthians/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Let every man remain in the station of life in which he is called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_corinthians/7.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />Let every person continue in the calling in which he was called.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/1_corinthians/7.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Let every one remain in that condition in which he was, when called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/1_corinthians/7.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Let each one abide in the same calling in which he is called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/1_corinthians/7.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Let every one abide in the calling in which he is called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/1_corinthians/7.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />let every man continue in the same state he was in when he turn'd christian.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/1_corinthians/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Whatever be the condition in life in which a man was, when he was called, in that let him continue.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/1_corinthians/7.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />Let each one abide in that calling in which he was called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/1_corinthians/7.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />In the calling in which every <i>one</i> was called, let him continue.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_corinthians/7-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g-wZWoK_LZU?start=1344" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Live Your Calling</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commandments is what counts. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1538.htm" title="1538: Hekastos (Adj-NMS) -- Each (of more than two), every one. As if a superlative of hekas; each or every.">Each one</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: tautē (DPro-DFS) -- This; he, she, it. "></a> <a href="/greek/3306.htm" title="3306: menetō (V-PMA-3S) -- To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay.">should remain</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2821.htm" title="2821: klēsei (N-DFS) -- A calling, invitation; in the NT, always of a divine call. From a shorter form of kaleo; an invitation.">situation</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hē (RelPro-DFS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">he was in</a> <a href="/greek/2564.htm" title="2564: eklēthē (V-AIP-3S) -- (a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to call.">when he was called.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">21</span>Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it concern you—but if you can gain your freedom, take the opportunity.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-12.htm">1 Corinthians 12:12-14</a></span><br />The body is a unit, though it is composed of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ. / 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. / For the body does not consist of one part, but of many.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-1.htm">Ephesians 4:1</a></span><br />As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-17.htm">Colossians 3:17</a></span><br />And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-4.htm">Romans 12:4-8</a></span><br />Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, / so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another. / We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-28.htm">Galatians 3:28</a></span><br />There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/4-10.htm">1 Peter 4:10</a></span><br />As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/6-5.htm">Ephesians 6:5-8</a></span><br />Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. / And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. / Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-22.htm">Colossians 3:22-24</a></span><br />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. / Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men, / because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/6-17.htm">Romans 6:17-18</a></span><br />But thanks be to God that, though you once were slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were committed. / You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-1.htm">1 Timothy 6:1-2</a></span><br />All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited. / Those who have believing masters should not show disrespect because they are brothers, but should serve them all the more, since those receiving their good service are beloved believers. Teach and encourage these principles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/titus/2-9.htm">Titus 2:9-10</a></span><br />Slaves are to submit to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, / not stealing from them, but showing all good faith, so that in every respect they will adorn the teaching about God our Savior.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philemon/1-16.htm">Philemon 1:16</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-14.htm">Matthew 25:14-30</a></span><br />For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions. / To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent—each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey. / The servant who had received the five talents went at once and put them to work and gained five more. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/19-12.htm">Luke 19:12-27</a></span><br />So He said, “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to lay claim to his kingship and then return. / Beforehand, he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Conduct business with this until I return,’ he said. / But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We do not want this man to rule over us.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/3-1.htm">Exodus 3:1-4</a></span><br />Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. / There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from within a bush. Moses saw the bush ablaze with fire, but it was not consumed. / So Moses thought, “I must go over and see this marvelous sight. Why is the bush not burning up?” ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.</p><p class="hdg">abide.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/7-17.htm">1 Corinthians 7:17,21-23</a></b></br> But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/27-8.htm">Proverbs 27:8</a></b></br> As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so <i>is</i> a man that wandereth from his place.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/3-10.htm">Luke 3:10-14</a></b></br> And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_corinthians/7-8.htm">Abide</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-17.htm">Condition</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-17.htm">Continue</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-17.htm">Life</a> <a href="/romans/14-10.htm">Placed</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-15.htm">Position</a> <a href="/matthew/19-10.htm">Situation</a> <a href="/romans/8-7.htm">State</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-17.htm">Whatever</a> <a href="/romans/7-6.htm">Wherein</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/7-24.htm">Abide</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-24.htm">Condition</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-24.htm">Continue</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-28.htm">Life</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-18.htm">Placed</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-16.htm">Position</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-24.htm">Situation</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-24.htm">State</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-24.htm">Whatever</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-24.htm">Wherein</a><div class="vheading2">1 Corinthians 7</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-1.htm">He discusses marriage;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-4.htm">showing it to be a remedy against sinful desires,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-10.htm">and that the bond thereof ought not lightly to be dissolved.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-20.htm">Every man must be content with his vocation.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-25.htm">Virginity wherefore to be embraced;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">35. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-35.htm">and for what respects we may either marry, or abstain from marrying.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_corinthians/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Each one should remain</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the principle of contentment and stability in one's current circumstances. In the context of the early church, believers were often concerned about whether they needed to change their social or marital status upon conversion. Paul advises against unnecessary changes, promoting a sense of peace and focus on spiritual growth rather than external conditions. This aligns with the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized the importance of inner transformation over outward appearances (<a href="/matthew/23-26.htm">Matthew 23:26</a>).<p><b>in the situation</b><br>The term "situation" refers to one's social, economic, or marital status. In the Greco-Roman world, social mobility was limited, and one's status was often seen as divinely appointed. Paul acknowledges these societal structures but encourages believers to prioritize their spiritual calling over societal expectations. This reflects the broader biblical theme that God can work through any circumstance, as seen in Joseph's rise to power in Egypt despite his initial status as a slave (Genesis 39-41).<p><b>he was in</b><br>This part of the verse underscores the idea of divine providence. The circumstances in which a person finds themselves are not accidental but are part of God's sovereign plan. This echoes the Old Testament understanding of God's control over the affairs of men, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/16-9.htm">Proverbs 16:9</a>, which states, "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps."<p><b>when he was called</b><br>The concept of being "called" refers to the moment of conversion or the realization of one's faith in Christ. This calling is a central theme in Paul's writings, emphasizing that it is God who initiates the relationship with believers (<a href="/romans/8-30.htm">Romans 8:30</a>). The calling is not just to salvation but to a life of service and witness, regardless of one's external circumstances. This reflects the transformative power of the Gospel, which transcends cultural and social barriers, as seen in <a href="/galatians/3-28.htm">Galatians 3:28</a>, where Paul declares that in Christ, there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a></b><br>The author of 1 Corinthians, Paul was addressing the church in Corinth, a city known for its diverse population and moral challenges. His letters often provided guidance on how to live a Christian life amidst a secular society.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/c/corinth.htm">Corinth</a></b><br>A major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth and immorality. The church in Corinth faced many challenges due to the city's cultural and social dynamics.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_corinthian_church.htm">The Corinthian Church</a></b><br>A diverse group of believers, including Jews and Gentiles, who were navigating their new faith in a challenging environment. Paul wrote to them to address various issues, including marriage, spiritual gifts, and social status.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/c/contentment_in_calling.htm">Contentment in Calling</a></b><br>Embrace the situation you were in when God called you. Recognize that God can use you in your current circumstances for His glory.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_our_lives.htm">God's Sovereignty in Our Lives</a></b><br>Trust that God has placed you in your current situation for a purpose. Seek to understand and fulfill His will where you are.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_growth_in_all_circumstances.htm">Spiritual Growth in All Circumstances</a></b><br>Focus on growing spiritually regardless of your social or economic status. Your relationship with God is not dependent on external conditions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/witnessing_through_stability.htm">Witnessing Through Stability</a></b><br>By remaining stable in your calling, you can be a witness to others of God's peace and purpose in your life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/freedom_in_christ.htm">Freedom in Christ</a></b><br>Understand that true freedom comes from Christ, not from changing your external circumstances. Live out your faith boldly in whatever situation you find yourself.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_corinthians_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 7</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_god_opposed_to_homosexuality.htm">Is God opposed to homosexuality?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_1_cor_7_12-16_allow_divorce.htm">How does 1 Corinthians 7:12-16 reconcile with other biblical passages that permit divorce only for adultery?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_ezekiel_37_25-28_fulfilled_today.htm">How can Ezekiel 37:25-28's everlasting covenant and sanctuary be understood when there seems to be no clear historical or present-day fulfillment matching this depiction?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_systemic_racism.htm">What defines a spiritual father's role?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_corinthians/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) <span class= "bld">Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he</span> <span class= "bld">was</span> <span class= "bld">called.</span>--This is an emphatic repetition of the principle on which the previous practical instruction is based. "Calling" must not here be regarded in the modern sense of profession or condition in life; it is nowhere so used in the New Testament, but always signifies God's calling of us. (See <a href="/romans/11-29.htm" title="For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.">Romans 11:29</a>; <a href="/ephesians/1-18.htm" title="The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,">Ephesians 1:18</a>.) Continue to be Christians of the kind which God's call to Christianity made you. If you were circumcised--and so God's call into the Christian Church made you a circumcised Christian--continue so; don't do anything which would seem to imply that some other change in addition to your "call" was necessary to complete your admission to the Church.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_corinthians/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Let every man abide in the same calling,</span> etc. In accordance with this general principle, which illustrates the distinction between Christianity and violent social revolutions, St. John the Baptist had not bidden publicans or soldiers to abandon their callings, but to do their duty in that state of life to which God had called them (<a href="/luke/3-12.htm">Luke 3:12-14</a>). The "calling" alluded to is not what is described as "a vocation," a calling in life, but the condition in which we are when we are <span class="accented">called by God</span> (comp. <a href="/1_corinthians/1-26.htm">1 Corinthians 1:26</a>; <a href="/ephesians/1-18.htm">Ephesians 1:18</a>; <a href="/ephesians/4-1.htm">Ephesians 4:1</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_corinthians/7-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Each [one]</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἕκαστος</span> <span class="translit">(Hekastos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1538.htm">Strong's 1538: </a> </span><span class="str2">Each (of more than two), every one. As if a superlative of hekas; each or every.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">should remain</span><br /><span class="grk">μενέτω</span> <span class="translit">(menetō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3306.htm">Strong's 3306: </a> </span><span class="str2">To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐν</span> <span class="translit">(en)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> </span><span class="str2">In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τῇ</span> <span class="translit">(tē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Dative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">situation</span><br /><span class="grk">κλήσει</span> <span class="translit">(klēsei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2821.htm">Strong's 2821: </a> </span><span class="str2">A calling, invitation; in the NT, always of a divine call. From a shorter form of kaleo; an invitation.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[he was] in</span><br /><span class="grk">ᾗ</span> <span class="translit">(hē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">when he was called.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐκλήθη</span> <span class="translit">(eklēthē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2564.htm">Strong's 2564: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to 'call'.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/7-20.htm">1 Corinthians 7:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/7-20.htm">1 Corinthians 7:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_corinthians/7-20.htm">1 Corinthians 7:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/7-20.htm">1 Corinthians 7:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/7-20.htm">1 Corinthians 7:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_corinthians/7-20.htm">1 Corinthians 7:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_corinthians/7-20.htm">1 Corinthians 7:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_corinthians/7-20.htm">1 Corinthians 7:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_corinthians/7-20.htm">1 Corinthians 7:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_corinthians/7-20.htm">1 Corinthians 7:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_corinthians/7-20.htm">NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 7:20 Let each man stay in that calling (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Corinthians 7:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 7:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Corinthians 7:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 7:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>