1 Corinthians 7:22 - Printer Friendly

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.

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.

NASB: For the one who was called in the Lord as a slave, is the Lord’s freed person; likewise the one who was called as free, is Christ’s slave.

CSB: For he who is called by the Lord as a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called as a free man is Christ’s slave.

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.

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.

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.

In the previous verse, Paul applied the principle message of this chapter to those defined as "slaves" in Greco-Roman culture. He has written that those who are married should stay married and those who are single do not necessarily need to get married. Those who are circumcised—or not—should stay as they are. Now he has added that even slaves should not make the primary focus of their lives changing that status, though they should absolutely take the opportunity to become free if it comes along.

Paul calls Christians to elevate the status they hold in God's eyes above their status in the eyes of the world. Someone who comes to Christ as a "slave" under Roman law is seen by God as a freedman. He or she has been freed from the power and the penalty of their sin. By God's grace and through faith in Christ, that human slave is free to share in God's glory forever and will eternally enjoy all the rights and privileges of royalty in the kingdom of God.

The reverse is also true. Those who come to Christ as Roman citizens or freedmen must understand that, in the eyes of the Lord, they serve as "slaves"—as bondservants—of Christ. They exist in body and spirit to joyfully serve the purposes of God in this world and the next. Paul often referred to himself as a slave of Christ, holding that badge of honor high above his merely human status as a Roman citizen.

For these reasons, and in that context, Paul tells believing slaves not to become preoccupied with their human status. They should take opportunity when given (1 Corinthians 7:21), but don't need to see it as mandatory. God will use them right where they are for His greater good.

First Corinthians 7:17–24 expands on Paul's rule of thumb: that Christians should remain in whatever situation they were in when they came to faith in Christ. Later text clarifies that Paul is not denouncing marriage or forbidding it in any sense. Married or not, circumcised or not, slave or free, Christians aren't obligated to radically upend every aspect of their lives and relationships. Slaves, though, are encouraged to gain their freedom if available. A believing slave is, in fact, free in Christ, while a Christian who is free in this life is, in truth, a slave to Christ. We all belong to God. Our eternal position in Christ matters far more than our temporary position in this life.

Paul rejects an idea concerning the Corinthian believers: that married Christians should not have sex. Perhaps some even thought marriages should be dissolved and avoided. On the contrary, Scripture says married Christians should have regular sex in order to avoid temptation. Those who are married ought to remain married. Unmarried believers with the gift of celibacy, however, should consider remaining single in order to avoid the troubles of marriage. That is Paul's personal preference, though that gift is not given to all others. Single believers can devote themselves to serving Christ without distraction. The time is short. All believers should live and serve Christ now as if this world is passing away.

First Corinthians 7 follows Paul's teaching in the previous chapter, which focused mostly on avoiding sexual immorality. Here he commands married husbands and wives not to deprive each other of sex, or get divorced, in a misguided attempt to be more spiritual. Unmarried people who can live contentedly without sex, however, should consider remaining single in order to serve Christ undivided. Getting married is good, but the time is short. The form of this world is passing away. Unmarried people should think about the opportunities to avoid trouble and serve Christ that come with staying single.

First Corinthians is one of the more practical books of the New Testament. Paul writes to a church immersed in a city associated with trade, but also with corruption and immorality. These believers are struggling to properly apply spiritual gifts and to resist the ungodly practices of the surrounding culture. Paul's letter gives instructions for real-life concerns such as marriage and spirituality. He also deals with the importance of unity and gives one of the Bible's more well-known descriptions of love in chapter 13.