1 Corinthians 7 22

1 Corinthians 7:22 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.

1 Corinthians 7:22 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.

1 Corinthians 7:22 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.

1 Corinthians 7:22 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.

1 Corinthians 7:22 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.

1 Corinthians 7 verses

1 Corinthians 7 22 Meaning

A person who is a slave at the time of their calling into Christ is not to be troubled by it. If they have the opportunity to gain freedom, they should embrace it. A person who is called as a slave and then becomes a free person is a servant of Christ. Similarly, a person who is called as a free person and is actually a slave is a servant of Christ.

1 Corinthians 7 22 Context

This verse is part of a larger section in 1 Corinthians where Paul addresses issues of marriage, singleness, and the status of believers within society. The Corinthian church, like many early Christian communities, was composed of individuals from various social strata, including slaves and free persons. The question likely arose regarding whether one’s social standing, particularly being a slave, impacted their new identity or status in Christ. Paul’s overarching theme in these chapters is Christian freedom and unity in Christ, transcending earthly social divisions. He emphasizes that the believer’s primary identity and allegiance are now to Christ, regardless of their external circumstances at the time of their conversion. This specific instruction follows his advice to believers to remain in the state in which they were called, especially in relation to marriage, but he qualifies it here with the point about not being troubled by the state of slavery, and the positive aspect of embracing freedom if possible.

1 Corinthians 7 22 Word Analysis

• ὁ (hos): "the" (masculine singular nominative). Definite article pointing to the specific person being addressed.
• δοῦλος (doulos): "slave," "servant." Denotes a person in bondage, owned by another. In a Christian context, it can also signify a willing servant of Christ.
  • Significance: This term is crucial as it highlights the lowest social rung in ancient society. Paul's assertion that a slave isn't to be "troubled" by this status in Christ is powerful.
• ἐν (en): "in," "at," "by." Preposition indicating the state or circumstance.
• τῷ (tō): "the" (masculine singular dative). Definite article.
• κληθῇ (klēthē): "called" (third person singular aorist passive subjunctive of kaléō). Refers to being called by God into salvation and into the community of Christ.
  • Meaning: The calling is divine. It’s not merely an invitation but a spiritual summons.
  • Significance: This spiritual calling supersedes any earthly calling or status.
• ἀδελφός (adelphos): "brother." Used here to refer to a fellow believer in the Christian community.
• ἐστιν (estin): "is" (third person singular present active indicative of eimi).
• χριστοῦ (christou): "of Christ" (genitive singular of Christos). Belongs to or is related to Christ.
• ὁ (hos): "the" (masculine singular nominative).
• δὲ (de): "but," "and." A coordinating conjunction indicating contrast or addition.
• ἐλεύθερος (eleutheros): "free." Contrasts with doulos.
• γενόμενος (genomenos): "having become," "having been made" (masculine singular aorist passive participle of ginomai). Indicates a change in status.
  • Meaning: Refers to one who was not a slave but has now become one in relation to Christ. This can refer to losing earthly freedom or, more likely in Paul's nuanced argument, willingly becoming a servant.
• ἐστιν (estin): "is" (third person singular present active indicative of eimi).
• χριστοῦ (christou): "of Christ" (genitive singular of Christos).
• δοῦλος (doulos): "slave," "servant."

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "ὁ δοῦλος ἐν τῷ καληθῇ ἀδελφός ἐστιν χριστοῦ" (hos doulos en tō klēthē adelphos estin christou): "The slave who was called is a brother of Christ." This phrasing emphasizes the transformed identity. The designation "brother of Christ" transcends the earthly label of "slave." The slave's identity is now primarily spiritual and communal within the body of Christ.
• "ὁ δὲ ἐλεύθερος γενόμενος ἐστιν χριστοῦ δοῦλος" (hos de eleutheros genomenos estin christou doulos): "But the free person having become is a slave of Christ." This part addresses the free person who perhaps has taken on the role of a "slave" in service or due to circumstance. Their true master is now Christ. This could also be interpreted as the free person choosing to identify with Christ's service, making themselves a slave.

1 Corinthians 7 22 Bonus Section

The apostle Paul's understanding of doulos (slave) takes on a new dimension in Christian theology. While acknowledging the stark reality of physical slavery, he redefines servitude. To be a doulos Christou (slave of Christ) means to be fully liberated from the dominion of sin and death, choosing to live under Christ's lordship. This voluntary servitude is not oppressive but liberating because it aligns one with God's purpose. This teaching challenges both slave and free individuals in Corinth to prioritize their spiritual relationship over their social designations, fostering a revolutionary sense of equality and shared identity within the nascent church.

1 Corinthians 7 22 Commentary

Paul clarifies the believer's true identity in Christ, which transcends social or legal status. For a slave called by God, their earthly condition of bondage should not cause distress. Their spiritual reality as a "brother in Christ" is paramount. Conversely, for someone who was free and then potentially became a slave, or willingly serves as one, their ultimate Lord is Christ. The emphasis is on belonging to Christ and fulfilling one's new spiritual status, which defines a person more fundamentally than any temporal societal position. This isn't to dismiss earthly freedom but to reorient the believer's ultimate loyalty and identity. Freedom in Christ is the supreme reality.

Practical Usage:

• A believer facing difficult circumstances or perceived disadvantages should remember their status as a child of God and a brother/sister in Christ.
• No matter one's social standing, the Christian faith calls for a servant's heart towards God and fellow believers.
• The ultimate freedom found in Christ liberates individuals from the anxieties and limitations of earthly bondage.