1 Corinthians 7:22

1 Corinthians 7:22 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.
• New International Version (NIV)For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave.

Context of 1 Corinthians 7:22

20Let each abide in that calling in which he has been called. 21Hast thou been called [being] a bondman, let it not concern thee; but and if thou canst become free, use [it] rather. For the bondman that is called in [the] Lord is the Lord's freedman; in like manner [also] the freeman being called is Christ's bondman. 23Ye have been bought with a price; do not be the bondmen of men. 24Let each, wherein he is called, brethren, therein abide with God.

1 Corinthians 7:22 word by word

ὁ γὰρ ἐν κυρίῳ κληθεὶς δοῦλος ἀπελεύθερος κυρίου ἐστίν· ὁμοίως ὁ ἐλεύθερος κληθεὶς δοῦλός ἐστιν Χριστοῦ.Read the interlinear

• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• calledκαλέωkaleō · to call: callG2564
• Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 7:22

• Luke 1:74to give us, that, saved out of the hand of our enemies, we should serve him without fear
• John 8:32and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.
• Romans 6:18Now, having got your freedom from sin, ye have become bondmen to righteousness.
• Galatians 5:1Christ has set us free in freedom; stand fast therefore, and be not held again in a yoke of bondage.
• Ephesians 6:5Bondmen, obey masters according to flesh, with fear and trembling, in simplicity of your heart as to the Christ;
• Colossians 3:22Bondmen, obey in all things your masters according to flesh; not with eye-services, as men-pleasers, but in simplicity of heart, fearing the Lord.
• Philemon 1:16not any longer as a bondman, but above a bondman, a beloved brother, specially to me, and how much rather to thee, both in [the] flesh and in [the] Lord?
• 1 Peter 2:16as free, and not as having liberty as a cloak of malice, but as God's bondmen.
• 1 Corinthians 9:19For being free from all, I have made myself bondman to all, that I might gain the most [possible].
• Psalms 116:16Yea, Jehovah! for I am thy servant; I am thy servant, the son of thy handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
• Romans 1:1Paul, bondman of Jesus Christ, [a] called apostle, separated to God's glad tidings,
• Galatians 1:10For do I now seek to satisfy men or God? or do I seek to please men? If I were yet pleasing men, I were not Christ's bondman.
• Colossians 4:12Epaphras, who is [one] of you, [the] bondman of Christ Jesus, salutes you, always combating earnestly for you in prayers, to the end that ye may stand perfect and complete in all [the] will of God.
• 2 Peter 1:1Simon Peter, bondman and apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have received like precious faith with us through [the] righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ:
• Jude 1:1Jude, bondman of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to the called ones beloved in God [the] Father and preserved in Jesus Christ:

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 7:22

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 22For he that is called - The man who, being a slave, is converted to the Christian faith, is the Lord's freeman; his condition as a slave does not vitiate any of the privileges to which he is entitled as a Christian: on the other hand, all free men, who receive the grace of Christ, must consider themselves the slaves of the Lord, i.e. his real property, to be employed and disposed of according to his godly wisdom, who, notwithstanding their state of…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 22For he that is called in the Lord - He that is called by the Lord; he that becomes a Christian. Being a servant - A slave when he is converted. Is the Lord‘s freeman - Margin, “Made free” ( ̓́ apeleutheros). Is manumitted, made free, endowed with liberty by the Lord. This is designed evidently to comfort the heart of the slave, and to make him contented with his condition; and it is a most delicate, happy, and tender argument. The sense is this. “You are…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17-24Verses 17-24 The rules of Christianity reach every condition; and in every state a man may live so as to be a credit to it. It is the duty of every Christian to be content with his lot, and to conduct himself in his rank and place as becomes a Christian. Our comfort and happiness depend on what we are to Christ, not what we are in the world. No man should think to make his faith or religion, an argument to break through any natural or civil obligations…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 21-23Slavery shows the general idea mentioned in 1 Corinthians 7:17, 20, 24. Slavery was common in the Greco-Roman world, and many Christian converts were slaves serving wealthy families. According to Paul, like circumcision, being a slave is not very important for a Christian. Even as a slave, a Christian is spiritually free from sin, death, and the law (see Romans 6:14; 7:4–6; 8:2). As a free person, the believer is still a servant of Christ (see Ephesians…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2222. the Lord's freeman--(Phm 16)--rather, "freedman." Though a slave externally, spiritually made free by the Lord: from sin, Joh 8:36; from the law, Ro 8:2; from "circumcision," 1Co 7:19; Ga 5:1. Christ's servant--(1Co 9:21). Love makes Christ's service perfect freedom (Mt 11:29, 30; Ga 5:13; 1Pe 2:16).Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 7:22

• Marriage
• Servant

In the dictionaries

• In the Lord
• Abuse
• Attend
• Consent
• Contain
• Distraction
• Loose
• Mercy
• Revelation of Christ
• Snare

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 7

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings