Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it.
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.
- KJV Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
- 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.
- 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 can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.
- 1 Pet 2:18–24Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked.
- Luke 12:29Don’t seek what you will eat or what you will drink; neither be anxious.
- 1 Cor 12:13For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit.
- Luke 10:40–41But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she came up to him, and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister left me to serve alone? Ask her therefore to help me.”
- Phil 4:11Not that I speak in respect to lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it.
- 1 Pet 5:7casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.
- Heb 13:5Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, “I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you.”
- Luke 21:34“So be careful, or your hearts will be loaded down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day will come on you suddenly.
- Phil 4:6In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
- Gal 3:28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
- 1 Tim 6:1–3Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be 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.