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

20Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called you. 21Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it. 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. 23God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world. 24Each of you, dear brothers and sisters, should remain as you were when God first called you.

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 1:74We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear,
• John 8:32And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
• Romans 6:18Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.
• Galatians 5:1So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.
• Ephesians 6:5Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ.
• Colossians 3:22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord.
• Philemon 1:16He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.
• 1 Peter 2:16For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil.
• 1 Corinthians 9:19Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ.
• Psalms 116:16O Lord, I am your servant; yes, I am your servant, born into your household; you have freed me from my chains.
• Romans 1:1This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News.
• Galatians 1:10Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.
• Colossians 4:12Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God.
• 2 Peter 1:1This letter is from Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior.
• Jude 1:1This letter is from Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and a brother of James. I am writing to all who have been called by God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of 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