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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 7:23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/7-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/46_1Co_07_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Corinthians 7:23 - Live Your Calling" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_corinthians/7-23.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_corinthians/7-23.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_corinthians/">1 Corinthians</a> > <a href="/1_corinthians/7.htm">Chapter 7</a> > Verse 23</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table 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="/ad1.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/7-22.htm" title="1 Corinthians 7:22">◄</a> 1 Corinthians 7:23 <a href="/1_corinthians/7-24.htm" title="1 Corinthians 7:24">►</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="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </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 />You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/7.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_corinthians/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_corinthians/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_corinthians/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />You were bought for a price; do not become slaves of people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_corinthians/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_corinthians/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />You were bought with a price [a precious price paid by Christ]; do not become slaves to men [but to Christ].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_corinthians/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Ye were bought with a price; become not bondservants of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_corinthians/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />God paid a great price for you. So don't become slaves of anyone else. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_corinthians/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Ye were bought with a price; become not bondservants of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_corinthians/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />You were bought for a price. Don't become anyone's slaves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_corinthians/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />God bought you for a price; so do not become slaves of people. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_corinthians/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You were bought for a price. Stop becoming slaves of people. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_corinthians/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You were bought with a price. Do not become slaves of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_corinthians/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You were bought with a price. Do not become slaves of people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_corinthians/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/1_corinthians/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />You have all been redeemed at infinite cost: do not become slaves to men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_corinthians/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You were bought with a price. Don’t become bondservants of men. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_corinthians/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />you were bought with a price, do not become servants of men;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_corinthians/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> with a price ye were bought, become not servants of men;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_corinthians/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Ye were bought for a price; be ye not servants of men.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />You are bought with a price; be not made the bondslaves of men. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_corinthians/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />You have been bought with a price. Do not be willing to become the servants of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_corinthians/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You have been purchased at a price. Do not become slaves to human beings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_corinthians/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of human masters.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_corinthians/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />You have been bought with a price; you must not therefore become slaves of men.<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 />You have been bought with a price; you should not be Servants of people.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/1_corinthians/7.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />You have been bought with a price; become not the servants of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/1_corinthians/7.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />You have been bought with a price; be not the slaves of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/1_corinthians/7.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Have you been redeemed with a price? become not the slaves of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/1_corinthians/7.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />have you been redeemed from slavery? then, don't turn slaves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/1_corinthians/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />You have all been redeemed at infinite cost: do not become slaves to men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/1_corinthians/7.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />Ye were bought with a price; become not slaves of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/1_corinthians/7.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />Ye are bought with a price, do not become the slaves of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_corinthians/7-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g-wZWoK_LZU?start=1370" 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">22</span>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. <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/59.htm" title="59: ēgorasthēte (V-AIP-2P) -- To buy. From agora; properly, to go to market, i.e. to purchase; specially, to redeem.">You were bought</a> <a href="/greek/5092.htm" title="5092: Timēs (N-GFS) -- A price, honor. From tino; a value, i.e. Money paid, or valuables; by analogy, esteem, or the dignity itself.">at a price;</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.">do not</a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: ginesthe (V-PMM/P-2P) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.">become</a> <a href="/greek/1401.htm" title="1401: douloi (N-NMP) -- (a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave.">slaves</a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpōn (N-GMP) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">of men.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">24</span>Brothers, each one should remain in the situation he was in when God called him.…<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="/galatians/5-1.htm">Galatians 5:1</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/6-18.htm">Romans 6:18</a></span><br />You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/6-22.htm">Romans 6:22</a></span><br />But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the fruit you reap leads to holiness, and the outcome is eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-18.htm">1 Peter 1:18-19</a></span><br />For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, / but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-36.htm">John 8:36</a></span><br />So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-13.htm">Galatians 3:13</a></span><br />Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/1-7.htm">Ephesians 1:7</a></span><br />In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/1-14.htm">Colossians 1:14</a></span><br />in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/titus/2-14.htm">Titus 2:14</a></span><br />He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/5-9.htm">Revelation 5:9</a></span><br />And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/20-28.htm">Matthew 20:28</a></span><br />just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/20-28.htm">Acts 20:28</a></span><br />Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/2-6.htm">1 Timothy 2:6</a></span><br />who gave Himself as a ransom for all—the testimony that was given at just the right time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-12.htm">Hebrews 9:12</a></span><br />He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/52-3.htm">Isaiah 52:3</a></span><br />For this is what the LORD says: “You were sold for nothing, and without money you will be redeemed.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">You are bought with a price; be not you the servants of men.</p><p class="hdg">are.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/6-20.htm">1 Corinthians 6:20</a></b></br> For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/25-42.htm">Leviticus 25:42</a></b></br> For they <i>are</i> my servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/20-28.htm">Acts 20:28</a></b></br> Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.</p><p class="hdg">be.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/23-8.htm">Matthew 23:8-11</a></b></br> But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, <i>even</i> Christ; and all ye are brethren… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/galatians/2-4.htm">Galatians 2:4</a></b></br> And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/romans/6-22.htm">Bondmen</a> <a href="/romans/16-18.htm">Bondservants</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-20.htm">Bought</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-20.htm">Cost</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-20.htm">Infinite</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-20.htm">Payment</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-20.htm">Price</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-20.htm">Redeemed</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-2.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/romans/16-18.htm">Slaves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/12-13.htm">Bondmen</a> <a href="/galatians/5-13.htm">Bondservants</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm">Bought</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-7.htm">Cost</a> <a href="/ephesians/1-19.htm">Infinite</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-7.htm">Payment</a> <a href="/1_timothy/2-6.htm">Price</a> <a href="/galatians/3-13.htm">Redeemed</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-13.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-13.htm">Slaves</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 /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/7.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>You were bought</b><br />The phrase "You were bought" refers to the concept of redemption, a central theme in Christian theology. The Greek word used here is "ἐξαγοράζω" (exagorazō), which means to buy out of the marketplace, often used in the context of purchasing a slave's freedom. This imagery is powerful, as it underscores the believer's liberation from the bondage of sin through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. Historically, the act of buying a slave's freedom was a significant and costly endeavor, reflecting the immense value and love God places on each individual. This phrase reminds believers of their new identity in Christ, having been redeemed and set free from the spiritual slavery of sin.<p><b>at a price</b><br />The "price" mentioned here is the precious blood of Jesus Christ, as referenced in <a href="/1_peter/1-18.htm">1 Peter 1:18-19</a>, which speaks of being redeemed "not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ." The Greek word "τιμή" (timē) signifies value or honor, emphasizing the costly nature of this transaction. In the historical context of the early church, this would resonate deeply with believers who understood the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, where the blood of animals was required for atonement. The ultimate sacrifice of Christ surpasses all, offering eternal redemption and underscoring the profound love and grace of God.<p><b>do not become</b><br />This phrase serves as an imperative, a command to the believers. The Greek word "γίνομαι" (ginomai) means to become or to come into being. It suggests a transformation or change in state. Paul is urging the Corinthians to resist any regression into a state of spiritual or literal bondage. This command is not merely a suggestion but a call to live in the freedom that Christ has provided. It reflects the transformative power of the Gospel, which calls believers to a new way of life, free from the constraints and expectations of worldly systems.<p><b>slaves of men</b><br />The term "slaves" in Greek is "δοῦλοι" (douloi), which refers to individuals who are in a state of servitude. In the Roman world, slavery was a common institution, and many early Christians were either slaves or had been slaves. Paul uses this term metaphorically to caution against becoming entangled in human systems or ideologies that contradict the freedom found in Christ. The phrase "of men" highlights the contrast between serving God and being subject to human authority or influence. Historically, this would resonate with the Corinthian church, situated in a cosmopolitan city where social status and allegiance to various leaders were prevalent. Paul is reminding them that their ultimate allegiance is to Christ, who has set them free, and not to any human authority that might seek to control or exploit them.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_corinthians/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) <span class= "bld">Ye are bought with a price . . .</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">You were bought with a price therefore become not slaves of men.</span> This carries on the idea of freedmen of the previous verse. With a great price--even the blood of Christ--they have been purchased by Him as freedmen: therefore, do not become slaves of men--do not yield to their views by seeking to change the condition of your calling.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_corinthians/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 23.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Ye are bought with a price;</span> rather, <span class="accented">ye were bought</span>, namely, by Christ; and the price paid for you was his blood (see <a href="/1_corinthians/6-20.htm">1 Corinthians 6:20</a>; <a href="/1_peter/1-18.htm">1 Peter 1:18, 19</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Be not ye;</span> rather, <span class="accented">become not. <span class="cmt_word"></span>The servants of men.</span> There is a grand play of words in the advice to them <span class="accented">not to become slaves</span>, at the very moment when he is advising them to continue in slavery. In that which the world called "slavery" the Christian slave might enjoy absolute liberty. The price which a master paid for them was but an unmeaning shadow; they had been bought once and eternally by an infinitely nobler price, and that purchase was the pledge of absolute emancipation. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_corinthians/7-23.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">You were bought</span><br /><span class="grk">ἠγοράσθητε</span> <span class="translit">(ēgorasthēte)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_59.htm">Strong's 59: </a> </span><span class="str2">To buy. From agora; properly, to go to market, i.e. to purchase; specially, to redeem.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">at a price;</span><br /><span class="grk">Τιμῆς</span> <span class="translit">(Timēs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5092.htm">Strong's 5092: </a> </span><span class="str2">A price, honor. From tino; a value, i.e. Money paid, or valuables; by analogy, esteem, or the dignity itself.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">{do} not</span><br /><span class="grk">μὴ</span> <span class="translit">(mē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3361.htm">Strong's 3361: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">become</span><br /><span class="grk">γίνεσθε</span> <span class="translit">(ginesthe)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1096.htm">Strong's 1096: </a> </span><span class="str2">A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">slaves</span><br /><span class="grk">δοῦλοι</span> <span class="translit">(douloi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1401.htm">Strong's 1401: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of men.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀνθρώπων</span> <span class="translit">(anthrōpōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/7-23.htm">1 Corinthians 7:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/7-23.htm">1 Corinthians 7:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_corinthians/7-23.htm">1 Corinthians 7:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/7-23.htm">1 Corinthians 7:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/7-23.htm">1 Corinthians 7:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_corinthians/7-23.htm">1 Corinthians 7:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_corinthians/7-23.htm">1 Corinthians 7:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_corinthians/7-23.htm">1 Corinthians 7:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_corinthians/7-23.htm">1 Corinthians 7:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_corinthians/7-23.htm">1 Corinthians 7:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_corinthians/7-23.htm">NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 7:23 You were bought with a price (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Corinthians 7:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 7:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Corinthians 7:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 7:24" /></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>