Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
Parallel translations
- WEB Were you called being a bondservant? Don’t let that bother you, but if you get an opportunity to become free, use it.
- BSB Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it concern you—but if you can gain your freedom, take the opportunity.
- NKJV Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it.
- NASB 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.
- NLT Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
If you were a slave when called, don't let it trouble you—yet if a chance to become free arises, take it. Earthly status need not distress a believer, but freedom is still a good worth pursuing.
Overview
Paul applies the rule to slaves, the most disadvantaged station. He counsels contentment rather than anxiety, since one's worth before God is unchanged by social rank. Yet he is no fatalist: the believer may rightly seize lawful freedom. The verse balances spiritual contentment with the legitimacy of bettering one's circumstances, and reflects the gospel's quiet but real subversion of slavery's claims (cf. Philemon).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Col 3:11Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
- 1 Pet 2:18–24Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
- Luke 12:29And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
- 1 Cor 12:13For 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.
- Luke 10:40–41But 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.
- Phil 4:11Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
- 1 Pet 5:7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
- Heb 13:5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
- Luke 21:34And 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.
- Phil 4:6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
- Gal 3:28There 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.
- 1 Tim 6:1–3Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
How 1 Corinthians 7:21 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.