1 Corinthians 7:21New American Standard Bible (NASB ©1995) [2]
— Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that.
King James Version (KJV 1769) [2]
— Art thou called [being] a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use [it] rather.
English Revised Version (ERV 1885)
— Wast thou called being a bondservant? care not for it: but if thou canst become free, use [it] rather.
American Standard Version (ASV 1901) [2]
— Wast thou called being a bondservant? Care not for it: nay, even if thou canst become free, use [it] rather.
Webster's Revision of the KJB (WEB 1833)
— Art thou called [being] a servant? care not for it; but if thou mayest be made free, use [it] rather.
Darby's Translation (DBY 1890)
— Hast thou been called [being] a bondman, let it not concern thee; but and if thou canst become free, use [it] rather.
Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (EBR 1902)
— A bond-servant, wast thou called? let it not cause thee concern; but, if thou canst even become, free, rather use it.
Young's Literal Translation (YLT 1898)
— a servant—wast thou called? be not anxious; but if also thou art able to become free—use [it] rather;
Douay-Rheims Challoner Revision (DR 1750)
— Wast thou called, being a bondman? Care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
Geneva Bible (GNV 1560)
— Art thou called being a seruant? care not for it: but if yet thou maiest be free, vse it rather.
Original King James Bible (AV 1611) [2]
— Art thou called [being] a seruant? care not for it: but if thou maist be made free, vse it rather.
Lamsa Bible (1957)
— If you were a slave when you were called, do not feel concerned about it; but even though you can be made free, choose rather to serve.
John Etheridge Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1849)
— If a servant thou wast called, be not careful, but, if also thou canst be made free, choose [it rather than] that thou shouldest serve.
James Murdock Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1852)
— If thou wert called, being a servant; let it not trouble thee. But if thou canst be made free, choose it rather than to serve. |
Art thou called
2564 {2564} Primeκαλέωkaleo{kal-eh'-o}
Akin to the base of G2753; to 'call' (properly aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise).
z5681 <5681> Grammar
Tense - Aorist (See G5777) Voice - Passive (See G5786) Mood - Indicative (See G5791) Count - 602
[ being] a servant?
1401 {1401} Primeδοῦλοςdoulos{doo'-los}
From G1210; a slave (literally or figuratively, involuntarily or voluntarily; frequently therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency).
care
3199 {3199} Primeμέλωmelo{mel'-o}
A primary verb; to be of interest to, that is, to concern (only third person singular present indicative used impersonally it matters).
y4671 [4671] Standardσοίsoi{soy}
Dative case of G4771; to thee.
z0 <0000> Grammar
The original word in the Greek or Hebrew is translated by more than one word in the English. The English translation is separated by one or more other words from the original.
not
3361 {3361} Primeμήme{may}
A primary particle of qualified negation (whereas G3756 expresses an absolute denial); (adverbially) not, (conjugationally) lest; also (as interrogitive implying a negative answer [whereas G3756 expects an affirmative one]); whether.
for
x4671 (4671) Complementσοίsoi{soy}
Dative case of G4771; to thee.
it:
y3199 [3199] Standardμέλωmelo{mel'-o}
A primary verb; to be of interest to, that is, to concern (only third person singular present indicative used impersonally it matters).
z5720 <5720> Grammar
Tense - Present (See G5774) Voice - Active (See G5784) Mood - Imperative (See G5794) Count - 592
but
235 {0235} Primeἀλλάalla{al-lah'}
Neuter plural of G0243; properly other things, that is, (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations).
if
y1499 [1499] Standardεἰ καίei kai{i kahee}
From G1487 and G2532; if also (or even).
x1487 (1487) Complementεἰei{i}
A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.
thou mayest
1410 {1410} Primeδύναμαιdunamai{doo'-nam-ahee}
Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.
z5736 <5736> Grammar
Tense - Present (See G5774) Voice - Middle or Passive Deponent (See G5790) Mood - Indicative (See G5791) Count - 618
be made
1096 {1096} Primeγίνομαιginomai{ghin'-om-ahee}
A prolonged and middle form of a primary verb; to cause to be ('gen' -erate), that is, (reflexively) to become ( come into being), used with great latitude (literally, figuratively, intensively, etc.).
z5635 <5635> Grammar
Tense - Second Aorist (See G5780) Voice - Middle Deponent (See G5788) Mood - Infinitive (See G5795) Count - 42
free,
1658 {1658} Primeἐλεύθεροςeleutheros{el-yoo'-ther-os}
Probably from the alternate of G2064; unrestrained (to go at pleasure), that is, (as a citizen) not a slave (whether freeborn or manumitted), or (generally) exempt (from obligation or liability).
use
5530 {5530} Primeχράομαιchraomai{khrah'-om-ahee}
Middle voice of a primary verb (perhaps rather from G5495, to handle); to furnish what is needed; (give an oracle, 'graze' [touch slightly], light upon, etc.), that is, (by implication) to employ or (by extension) to act towards one in a given manner.
z5663 <5663> Grammar
Tense - Aorist (See G5777) Voice - Middle Deponent (See G5788) Mood - Imperative (See G5794) Count - 54
[ it] rather.
3123 {3123} Primeμᾶλλονmallon{mal'-lon}
Neuter of the comparative of the same as G3122; (adverb) more ( in a greater degree) or rather. |
1 Corinthians 7:21
_ _ care not for it — Let it not be a trouble to thee that thou art a servant or slave.
_ _ use it rather — Continue rather in thy state as a servant (1 Corinthians 7:20; Galatians 3:28; 1 Timothy 6:2). The Greek, “But if even thou mayest be made free, use it,” and the context (1 Corinthians 7:20, 1 Corinthians 7:22) favors this view [Chrysostom, Bengel, and Alford]. This advice (if this translation be right) is not absolute, as the spirit of the Gospel is against slavery. What is advised here is, contentment under one’s existing condition (1 Corinthians 7:24), though an undesirable one, since in our union with Christ all outward disparities of condition are compensated (1 Corinthians 7:22). Be not unduly impatient to cast off “even” thy condition as a servant by unlawful means (1 Peter 2:13-18); as, for example, Onesimus did by fleeing (Philemon 1:10-18). The precept (1 Corinthians 7:23), “Become not (so the Greek) the servants of men,” implies plainly that slavery is abnormal (compare Leviticus 25:42). “Men stealers,” or slave dealers, are classed in 1 Timothy 1:10, with “murderers” and “perjurers.” Neander, Grotius, etc., explain, “If called, being a slave, to Christianity, be content — but yet, if also thou canst be free (as a still additional good, which if thou canst not attain, be satisfied without it; but which, if offered to thee, is not to be despised), make use of the opportunity of becoming free, rather than by neglecting it to remain a slave.” I prefer this latter view, as more according to the tenor of the Gospel, and fully justified by the Greek. |
1 Corinthians 7:21
Care not for it — Do not anxiously seek liberty. But if thou canst be free, use it rather — Embrace the opportunity. |
1 Corinthians 7:21
Art thou called [being] a servant? (p) care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use [it] rather.
(p) As though this calling were too unworthy a calling for Christ. |
- being:
1 Corinthians 12:13 For 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.
Galatians 3:28 There 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.
Colossians 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond [nor] free: but Christ [is] all, and in all.
1 Timothy 6:1-3 Let 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. ... If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
1 Peter 2:18-24 Servants, [be] subject to [your] masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. ... Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
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- a servant:
- Rather, a slave, δουλος [Strong's G1401], the property of another, and bought with his money. In these verses the apostle shows that Christianity makes no change in our civil connections.
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- care:
Luke 10:40-41 But 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. ... And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
Luke 12:29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
*marg.
Luke 21:34 And 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.
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content.
Hebrews 13:5 [Let 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.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
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