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 Living Translation (NLT)And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ.

Context of 1 Corinthians 7:22

20Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. 21Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. 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. 23You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• he thatὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• is calledκαλέωkaleō · to call: callG2564
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962
• a servantδοῦλοςdoulos · slaveG1401
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• freemanἀπελεύθεροςapeleutheros · freedG558
• likewiseὁμοίωςhomoiōs · similarlyG3668
• alsoκαίkai · andG2532
• freeἐλεύθεροςeleutheros · free/freedomG1658
• Christ’sΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 7:22

• Luke 1:74To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear,
• John 8:32And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
• Romans 6:18And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
• Galatians 5:1Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
• Ephesians 6:5Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;
• Colossians 3:22Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.
• Philemon 1:16no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
• 1 Peter 2:16as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.
• 1 Corinthians 9:19For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;
• Psalms 116:16O Lord, truly I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have loosed my bonds.
• Romans 1:1Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God
• Galatians 1:10For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
• Colossians 4:12Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
• 2 Peter 1:1Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
• Jude 1:1Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified by 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