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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 7:21 Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it concern you--but if you can gain your freedom, take the opportunity.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/7-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/46_1Co_07_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Corinthians 7:21 - Live Your Calling" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Were you a slave when you were called? 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Don&#8217t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. <a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/7.htm">New Living Translation</a> Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it. <a href="/esv/1_corinthians/7.htm">English Standard Version</a> Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) <a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it concern you—but if you can gain your freedom, take the opportunity. <a href="/blb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Were you called while a slave, let it not be a care to you; but if also you are able to become free, rather take advantage. <a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/7.htm">King James Bible</a> Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. <a href="/nkjv/1_corinthians/7.htm">New King James Version</a> Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. <a href="/nasb_/1_corinthians/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Were you called as a slave? Do not let it concern you. But if you are also able to become free, take advantage of that. <a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/7.htm">NASB 1995</a> Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. <a href="/nasb77/1_corinthians/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. <a href="/lsb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it. But if you are able also to become free, rather do that. <a href="/amp/1_corinthians/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Were you a slave when you were called? Do not worry about that [since your status as a believer is equal to that of a freeborn believer]; but if you are able to gain your freedom, do that. <a href="/csb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Were you called while a slave? Don’t let it concern you. But if you can become free, by all means take the opportunity. <a href="/hcsb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Were you called while a slave? It should not be a concern to you. But if you can become free, by all means take the opportunity. <a href="/asv/1_corinthians/7.htm">American Standard Version</a> Wast thou called being a bondservant? care not for it: nay, even if thou canst become free, use it rather. <a href="/cev/1_corinthians/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Are you a slave? Don't let that bother you. But if you can win your freedom, you should. <a href="/erv/1_corinthians/7.htm">English Revised Version</a> Wast thou called being a bondservant? care not for it: but if thou canst become free, use it rather. <a href="/gwt/1_corinthians/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Were you a slave when you were called? That shouldn't bother you. However, if you have a chance to become free, take it. <a href="/gnt/1_corinthians/7.htm">Good News Translation</a> Were you a slave when God called you? Well, never mind; but if you have a chance to become free, use it. <a href="/isv/1_corinthians/7.htm">International Standard Version</a> Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let that bother you. Of course, if you have a chance to become free, take advantage of the opportunity. <a href="/msb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it concern you?but if you can gain your freedom, take the opportunity. <a href="/net/1_corinthians/7.htm">NET Bible</a> Were you called as a slave? Do not worry about it. But if indeed you are able to be free, make the most of the opportunity. <a href="/nheb/1_corinthians/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Were you called being a slave? Do not let that bother you, but if you get an opportunity to become free, use it. <a href="/wbt/1_corinthians/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Art thou called being a servant? care not for it; but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. <a href="/wey/1_corinthians/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Were you a slave when God called you? Let not that weigh on your mind. And yet if you can get your freedom, take advantage of the opportunity. <a href="/web/1_corinthians/7.htm">World English Bible</a> Were you called being a bondservant? Don’t let that bother you, but if you get an opportunity to become free, use it. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_corinthians/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> a servant—were you called? Do not be anxious; but if also you are able to become free—use [it] rather; <a href="/blb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Were you called while a slave, let it not be a care to you; but if also you are able to become free, rather take advantage. <a href="/ylt/1_corinthians/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> a servant -- wast thou called? be not anxious; but if also thou art able to become free -- use it rather; <a href="/slt/1_corinthians/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> A servant wert thou called? let it not concern thee: for if thou art able to be free, rather make use of it.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Wast thou called, being a bondman ? care not for it; but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. <a href="/cpdv/1_corinthians/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Are you a servant who has been called? Do not be concerned about it. But if you ever have the ability to be free, make use of it. <a href="/nabre/1_corinthians/7.htm">New American Bible</a> Were you a slave when you were called? Do not be concerned but, even if you can gain your freedom, make the most of it. <a href="/nrsvce/1_corinthians/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. Even if you can gain your freedom, make use of your present condition now more than ever.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_corinthians/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> If you were a slave when you were called, do not feel concerned about it; but even though you can be made free, choose rather to serve. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_corinthians/7.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> If you have been called as a Servant, let it not concern you, but if you can be freed, choose for yourself to do service.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/1_corinthians/7.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Were you a servant when you were called? Care not for it. But if you can become free, rather enjoy your freedom. <a href="/godbey/1_corinthians/7.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Have you been called being a slave? let it not be a care to you: but if indeed you are able to become free, use it in preference. <a href="/haweis/1_corinthians/7.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Art thou called being a slave? let it give thee no concern; but if thou canst also obtain thy freedom, rather make use of it. <a href="/mace/1_corinthians/7.htm">Mace New Testament</a> were you called being a slave? be not perplex'd about it; but if you can obtain your freedom, don't refuse it. <a href="/wey/1_corinthians/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Were you a slave when God called you? Let not that weigh on your mind. And yet if you can get your freedom, take advantage of the opportunity. <a href="/worrell/1_corinthians/7.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Were you called, being a slave? care not for it; but, even if you can become free, use it rather. <a href="/worsley/1_corinthians/7.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Wast thou called being a slave, be not anxious about it; but if thou canst be made free, prefer it. <a href="/parallel/1_corinthians/7-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g-wZWoK_LZU?start=1348" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Live Your Calling</a> …20Each one should remain in the situation he was in when he was called. 21<a href="/greek/1401.htm" title="1401: doulos (N-NMS) -- (a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave.">Were you a slave</a> <a href="/greek/2564.htm" title="2564: eklēthēs (V-AIP-2S) -- (a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to call.">when you were called?</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."></a> <a href="/greek/3199.htm" title="3199: meletō (V-PMA-3S) -- It is a care, it is an object of anxiety, it concerns. A primary verb; to be of interest to, i.e. To concern.">Do not let it concern</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: soi (PPro-D2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you—</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: all’ (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">but</a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">if</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/1410.htm" title="1410: dynasai (V-PIM/P-2S) -- (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.">you can</a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: genesthai (V-ANM) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.">gain</a> <a href="/greek/1658.htm" title="1658: eleutheros (Adj-NMS) -- Free, delivered from obligation. Probably from the alternate of erchomai; unrestrained, i.e. not a slave, or exempt.">your freedom,</a> <a href="/greek/3123.htm" title="3123: mallon (Adv) -- More, rather. Neuter of the comparative of the same as malista; more) or rather."></a> <a href="/greek/5530.htm" title="5530: chrēsai (V-AMM-2S) -- To use, make use of, deal with, take advantage of. ">take the opportunity.</a> 22For 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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/galatians/3-28.htm">Galatians 3:28</a> There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. <a href="/philemon/1-16.htm">Philemon 1:16</a> 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. <a href="/ephesians/6-5.htm">Ephesians 6:5-8</a> 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, ... <a href="/colossians/3-22.htm">Colossians 3:22-24</a> 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. <a href="/1_peter/2-18.htm">1 Peter 2:18-21</a> Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but even to those who are unreasonable. / For if anyone endures the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God, this is to be commended. / How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. ... <a href="/romans/6-18.htm">Romans 6:18</a> You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. <a href="/galatians/5-1.htm">Galatians 5:1</a> 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. <a href="/1_timothy/6-1.htm">1 Timothy 6:1-2</a> 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. <a href="/titus/2-9.htm">Titus 2:9-10</a> 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. <a href="/exodus/21-2.htm">Exodus 21:2</a> If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free without paying anything. <a href="/leviticus/25-39.htm">Leviticus 25:39-41</a> If a countryman among you becomes destitute and sells himself to you, then you must not force him into slave labor. / Let him stay with you as a hired worker or temporary resident; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee. / Then he and his children are to be released, and he may return to his clan and to the property of his fathers. <a href="/deuteronomy/15-12.htm">Deuteronomy 15:12-15</a> If a fellow Hebrew, a man or a woman, is sold to you and serves you six years, then in the seventh year you must set him free. / And when you release him, do not send him away empty-handed. / You are to furnish him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. You shall give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you. ... <a href="/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Jeremiah 34:8-9</a> After King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to proclaim liberty, the word came to Jeremiah from the LORD / that each man should free his Hebrew slaves, both male and female, and no one should hold his fellow Jew in bondage. <a href="/isaiah/58-6.htm">Isaiah 58:6</a> Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? <a href="/proverbs/22-7.htm">Proverbs 22:7</a> The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Are you called being a servant? care not for it: but if you may be made free, use it rather.being.<a href="/1_corinthians/12-13.htm">1 Corinthians 12:13</a> For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.<a href="/galatians/3-28.htm">Galatians 3:28</a> There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.<a href="/colossians/3-11.htm">Colossians 3:11</a> Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.a servant.care.<a href="/luke/10-40.htm">Luke 10:40,41</a> But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me… <a href="/luke/12-29.htm">Luke 12:29</a> And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.<a href="/luke/21-34.htm">Luke 21:34</a> And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_corinthians/6-5.htm">Able</a> <a href="/romans/7-11.htm">Advantage</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/5-3.htm">Although</a> <a href="/john/6-63.htm">Avail</a> <a href="/romans/9-12.htm">Bondservant</a> <a href="/luke/11-7.htm">Bother</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-3.htm">Care</a> <a href="/romans/7-11.htm">Chance</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-18.htm">Christian</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-12.htm">Free</a> <a href="/romans/8-21.htm">Freedom</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-10.htm">Gain</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/5-2.htm">Grief</a> <a href="/romans/13-4.htm">Mayest</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-16.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-5.htm">Opportunity</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-7.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/romans/16-1.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-15.htm">Slave</a> <a href="/romans/16-17.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-10.htm">Use</a> <a href="/romans/11-24.htm">Wast</a> <a href="/luke/11-46.htm">Weigh</a> <a href="/luke/21-14.htm">Worry</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/10-13.htm">Able</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-8.htm">Advantage</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-5.htm">Although</a> <a href="/galatians/5-2.htm">Avail</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-22.htm">Bondservant</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/2-9.htm">Bother</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-32.htm">Care</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-37.htm">Chance</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-22.htm">Christian</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-22.htm">Free</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-29.htm">Freedom</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-19.htm">Gain</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/2-1.htm">Grief</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-28.htm">Mayest</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-32.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/16-12.htm">Opportunity</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-12.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-22.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-22.htm">Slave</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-26.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-31.htm">Use</a> <a href="/1_timothy/6-12.htm">Wast</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-29.htm">Weigh</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-20.htm">Worry</a><div class="vheading2">1 Corinthians 7</div>1. <a href="/1_corinthians/7-1.htm">He discusses marriage;</a> 4. <a href="/1_corinthians/7-4.htm">showing it to be a remedy against sinful desires,</a> 10. <a href="/1_corinthians/7-10.htm">and that the bond thereof ought not lightly to be dissolved.</a> 20. <a href="/1_corinthians/7-20.htm">Every man must be content with his vocation.</a> 25. <a href="/1_corinthians/7-25.htm">Virginity wherefore to be embraced;</a> 35. <a href="/1_corinthians/7-35.htm">and for what respects we may either marry, or abstain from marrying.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>Were you a slave when you were called? In the Roman Empire, slavery was a common institution, with slaves making up a significant portion of the population. Slavery in this context was not based on race but on various factors such as war, debt, or birth. When Paul addresses those who were slaves at the time of their calling to Christianity, he acknowledges the reality of their social status. The calling refers to the moment of conversion to faith in Christ. This question highlights the inclusivity of the Gospel, which transcends social and economic barriers, as seen in <a href="/galatians/3-28.htm">Galatians 3:28</a>, where Paul states that in Christ, there is neither slave nor free.Do not let it concern you— Paul advises believers not to be overly troubled by their earthly status, emphasizing that their spiritual identity in Christ is of greater importance. This reflects the teaching of Jesus in <a href="/matthew/6-25.htm">Matthew 6:25-34</a>, where believers are encouraged not to worry about their lives but to seek first the kingdom of God. The focus is on the eternal perspective, where earthly conditions are temporary and secondary to one's relationship with God.but if you can gain your freedom, While Paul encourages contentment, he also acknowledges the value of freedom. The opportunity for a slave to gain freedom could arise through various means, such as manumission, purchasing one's freedom, or being granted freedom by a master. This reflects the biblical principle of seeking improvement in one's circumstances when possible, as seen in the story of Joseph, who rose from slavery to a position of power in Egypt (<a href="/genesis/41-41.htm">Genesis 41:41-44</a>).take the opportunity. Paul advises taking the opportunity for freedom if it presents itself, suggesting that while one's spiritual status is paramount, improving one's earthly condition is also desirable. This aligns with the biblical theme of redemption and liberation, echoing the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt (<a href="/exodus/6-6.htm">Exodus 6:6</a>). It also prefigures the ultimate freedom found in Christ, who liberates believers from the bondage of sin (<a href="/john/8-36.htm">John 8:36</a>). The encouragement to seize the opportunity for freedom reflects the balance between contentment in one's current state and the pursuit of better circumstances when possible.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth with guidance on various issues, including social status and Christian living. 2. <a href="/topical/c/corinth.htm">Corinth</a> A major city in ancient Greece, known for its diverse population and significant economic and cultural influence. The church in Corinth faced many challenges related to integrating Christian teachings into their daily lives. 3. <a href="/topical/s/slavery_in_the_roman_empire.htm">Slavery in the Roman Empire</a> A prevalent institution during the time of Paul's writing, where individuals could be born into slavery, captured in war, or sell themselves into servitude due to debt.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/c/contentment_in_christ.htm">Contentment in Christ</a> Believers are encouraged to find contentment in their current circumstances, trusting that their identity in Christ transcends social status. <a href="/topical/o/opportunity_for_freedom.htm">Opportunity for Freedom</a> While contentment is important, Paul acknowledges the value of freedom and encourages believers to pursue it if the opportunity arises, reflecting the balance between acceptance and aspiration. <a href="/topical/e/equality_in_the_body_of_christ.htm">Equality in the Body of Christ</a> The Gospel breaks down social barriers, creating a new community where all are equal before God, challenging believers to view each other through the lens of Christ's love. <a href="/topical/s/service_as_worship.htm">Service as Worship</a> Regardless of one's social position, serving others with integrity and dedication is an act of worship, honoring God in all aspects of life. <a href="/topical/t/transformation_through_the_gospel.htm">Transformation through the Gospel</a> The transformative power of the Gospel can change societal norms and personal relationships, encouraging believers to live out their faith in ways that reflect God's kingdom values.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_corinthians_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 7</a> <a href="/q/1_peter_2_18__why_does_it_condone_slavery.htm">1 Peter 2:18: Why does the text appear to condone slavery by telling slaves to submit to their masters, and how is that consistent with a just God? </a> <a href="/q/does_ephesians_6_5_condone_slavery.htm">Ephesians 6:5: Does the instruction for slaves to obey masters suggest the Bible condones slavery, and how does that align with modern ethical standards? </a> <a href="/q/does_romans_6_7_contradict_experience.htm">Romans 6:7 states, 'he who has died has been freed from sin,' yet Christians still sin. Does this contradict everyday observation and human experience?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_a_patron_saint.htm">What defines being a servant of Christ?</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>(21) Art thou called being a servant?--Better, Were you called while a slave? Do not let that make you anxious. The fact of your being in slavery does not affect the reality of completeness of your conversion; and so you need have no anxiety to try and escape from servitude. In this and the following three verses the subject of SLAVERY is treated of as the second illustration of the general principle laid down in <a href="/1_corinthians/7-17.htm" title="But as God has distributed to every man, as the Lord has called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.">1Corinthians 7:17</a>--viz., that a man's conversion to Christianity should not lead him to change his national or social condition.But if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.--These words may seem to imply that if a slave could obtain his liberty he was to avail himself of the opportunity to do so. Such an interpretation, however, is entirely at variance with the whole drift of the argument, which is, that he is not to seek such a change. What the Apostle does say is, that (so far from letting the servitude be a cause of distress to you) if you can even be free, prefer to use it, i.e., your condition as a converted slave. It, as well as any other position in life, can be used to God's glory. Such an interpretation is most in accordance with the construction of the sentence in the original Greek; and it is in perfect harmony, not only with the rest of this passage, but with all St. Paul's teaching and his universal practice on this subject.It may be well here briefly to notice the attitude which the Apostle of the Gentiles maintains towards the great question of SLAVERY. While there were many points in which ancient slavery under the Greek and Roman Governments was similar to what has existed in modern days, there were also some striking points of difference. The slaves at such a place as Corinth would have been under Roman law, but many of its harsher provisions would doubtless have been practically modified by the traditional leniency of Greek servitude and by general usage. Although a master could sell his slave, punish him, and even put him to death, if he did so unjustly he would himself be liable to certain penalties. The power which a master could exercise over his slave was not so evidently objectionable in an age when parents had almost similar power over their children. Amongst the class called slaves were to be found, not only the commonest class who performed menial offices, but also literary men, doctors, midwives, and artificers, who were constantly employed in work suited to their ability and acquirements. Still, the fact remains that the master could sell his slave as he could sell any other species of property; and such a state of things was calculated greatly to degrade both those who trafficked and those who were trafficked in, and was contrary to those Christian principles which taught the brotherhood of men, and exalted every living soul into the high dignity of having direct communion with its Father.How, then, are we to account for St. Paul, with his vivid realisation of the brotherhood of men in Christ, and his righteous intolerance of intolerance, never having condemned this servile system, and having here insisted on the duty of a converted slave to remain in servitude; or for his having on one occasion sent back a Christian slave to his Christian master without asking for his freedom, although he counted him his master's "brother"? (See Ep. to Philemon.)One point which would certainly have weighed with the Apostle in considering this question was his own belief in the near approach of the end of this dispensation. If all existing relations would be overthrown in a few years, even such a relation as was involved in slavery would not be of so great importance as if it had been regarded as a permanent institution.But there were other grave considerations, of a more positive and imperative nature. If one single word from Christian teaching could have been quoted at Rome as tending to excite the slaves to revolt, it would have set the Roman Power in direct and active hostility to the new faith. Had St. Paul's teaching led (as it probably would, had he urged the cessation of servitude) to a rising of the slaves--that rising and the Christian Church, which would have been identified with it, would have been crushed together. Rome would not have tolerated a repetition of those servile wars which had, twice in the previous century, deluged Sicily with blood.Nor would the danger of preaching the abolition of servitude have been confined to that arising from external violence on the part of the Roman Government; it would have been pregnant with danger to the purity of the Church itself. Many might have been led, from wrong motives, to join a communion which would have aided them in securing their social and political freedom.In these considerations we may find, I think, ample reasons for the position of non-interference which the Apostle maintains in regard to slavery. If men then say that Christianity approved of slavery, we would point them to the fact that it is Christianity that has abolished it. Under a particular and exceptional condition of circumstances, which cannot again arise, St. Paul, for wise reasons, did not interfere with it. To have done so would have been worse than useless. But he taught fearlessly those imperishable principles which led in after ages to its extinction. The object of Christianity--and this St. Paul over and over again insisted on--was not to overturn and destroy existing political and social institutions, but to leaven them with new principles. He did not propose to abolish slavery, but to Christianise it; and when slavery is Christianised it must cease to exist. Christianised slavery is liberty.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_corinthians/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 21. - Being a servant. This is the second instance of the rule. One who was converted whilst he was a slave is not to strive over anxiously for freedom. The word "emancipation" sometimes seems (as in the letter to Philemon) to be "trembling on Paul's lips," but he never utters it, because to do so would have been to kindle social revolt, and lead to the total overthrow of Christianity at the very commencement of its career. Our Lord had taught the apostles to adapt means to ends; and the method of Christianity was to inculcate great principles, the acceptance of which involved, with all the certainty of a law, the ultimate regeneration of the world. Christianity came into the world as the dawn, not as the noon - a shining light, which brightened more and more unto the perfect day. Care not for it. Do not be troubled by the fact, because in Christ "there is neither bond nor free" (<a href="/galatians/3-28.htm">Galatians 3:28</a>), and because earthly freedom is as nothing in comparison with the freedom which Christ gives (<a href="/john/8-36.htm">John 8:36</a>). But if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. The words may mean, (1) "use freedom" - avail yourself of the opportunity of emancipation; or (2) "use slavery" - be content to remain a slave. In favour of the first interpretation is the fact that there is nothing extravagant or fantastic in Christian morality; and that, considering what ancient slavery was - how terrible its miseries, how shameful and perilously full of temptations were its conditions - it sounds unnatural to advise a Christian slave to remain a slave when he might gain his freedom. Yet the other interpretation, remain a slave by preference, seems to be required: 1. By the strict interpretation of the Greek particles. . . . <a href="/commentaries/1_corinthians/7-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Were you a slave when you were called? ἐκλήθης (eklēthēs) Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2564.htm">Strong's 2564: </a> (a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to 'call'. Do not let it concern μελέτω (meletō) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3199.htm">Strong's 3199: </a> It is a care, it is an object of anxiety, it concerns. A primary verb; to be of interest to, i.e. To concern. you, σοι (soi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. but ἀλλ’ (all’) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. if εἰ (ei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. you can δύνασαι (dynasai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1410.htm">Strong's 1410: </a> (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible. gain γενέσθαι (genesthai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Middle <a href="/greek/strongs_1096.htm">Strong's 1096: </a> A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude. [your] freedom, ἐλεύθερος (eleutheros) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1658.htm">Strong's 1658: </a> Free, delivered from obligation. Probably from the alternate of erchomai; unrestrained, i.e. not a slave, or exempt. take the opportunity. χρῆσαι (chrēsai) Verb - Aorist Imperative Middle - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5530.htm">Strong's 5530: </a> To use, make use of, deal with, take advantage of. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/7-21.htm">1 Corinthians 7:21 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/7-21.htm">1 Corinthians 7:21 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_corinthians/7-21.htm">1 Corinthians 7:21 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/7-21.htm">1 Corinthians 7:21 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/7-21.htm">1 Corinthians 7:21 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_corinthians/7-21.htm">1 Corinthians 7:21 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_corinthians/7-21.htm">1 Corinthians 7:21 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_corinthians/7-21.htm">1 Corinthians 7:21 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_corinthians/7-21.htm">1 Corinthians 7:21 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_corinthians/7-21.htm">1 Corinthians 7:21 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-21.htm">NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 7:21 Were you called being a bondservant? Don't (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Corinthians 7:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 7:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Corinthians 7:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 7:22" /></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>