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The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

1 Corinthians 7:21

1 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 1 Corinthians 7:21 Being a bondservant in NT times was different from the institution of slavery in North America during the seventeenth through the nineteenth centuries. Slaves (bondservants, servants) generally were permitted to work for pay and to save enough to buy their freedom (see Matthew 25:15, where the “servants” were entrusted with immense amounts of money and responsibility). The NT assumes that trafficking in human beings is a sin (1 Timothy 1:10; Revelation 18:11), and Paul urges Christian bondservants who can gain... freedom to do so. The released bondservant was officially designated a “freedman” and frequently continued to work for his former master. See also esv Preface.

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See also 1 Corinthians 7:21 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse 21. _ART THOU CALLED BEING A SERVANT?_] δουλος εκληθης, Art thou converted to Christ while thou art a _slave_-the property of another person, and bought with his money? _care not for it_-this wi...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    BEING A SERVANT - (δοῦλος doulos). A slave. Slaves abounded in Greece and in every part of the pagan world. Athens, e. g., had, in her best days, 20,000 freemen, and 400,000 slaves. See the condition...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    4. CONCERNING THE RELATIONSHIP OF MAN AND WOMAN CHAPTER 7 _ 1. The Single and the Married Life. (1 Corinthians 7:1)._ 2. Separation and Divorce. (1 Corinthians 7:10). 3. Abiding in the Different Ca...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    He now passes on to special classes. First, those who are unmarried or have lost their partners. It would be best for them to follow Paul's example and remain as they are. But if they have not the gif...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    The one thing that is necessary is that each man should walk as God has allotted to him and as God has called him. It is thus that I order things in all the Churches. Was any man called after he had b...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    COMPLETE ASCETICISM (1 Corinthians 7:1-2)...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    ART. Wast. SERVANT. slave. App-190. CARE, &C. = let it not be. care to thee. MAYEST. canst. BE MADE. become. USE. Greek. _ chraomai._ See Acts 27:3....

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _use it rather_ This may either be interpreted (1) "use _freedom_," or (2) "use _slavery_." Dean Stanley remarks of this passage that its interpretation "is one of the most evenly balanced questions i...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    Christianity not intended to revolutionize the relations between the believer and society 17. _But as God hath distributed_ The permission to live apart from a heathen husband or wife is given only to...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ΜΉ ΣΟΙ ΜΕΛΈΤΩ. Trouble not thyself about it. ΜΑ͂ΛΛΟΝ ΧΡΗ͂ΣΑΙ. This may either be interpreted (1) ‘use _freedom_,’ or (2) ‘use _slavery_.’ Dean Stanley remarks of this passage that its interpretation ‘...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    CHRISTIANITY NOT INTENDED TO REVOLUTIONIZE THE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE BELIEVER AND SOCIETY...

  • Charles Box Commentaries

    _CONCERNING GOD'S CALL 1 CORINTHIANS 7:17-24:_ The Bible teaches that we should be content in whatever situation we are in. Paul said, "As the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordai...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΔΟΎΛΟΣ (G1401) раб; _пот._ в аппозиции к подлежащему, ΈΚΛΉΘΗΣ _aor. ind. pass. от_ ΚΑΛΈΩ (G2564) звать, ΣΟΙ _dat. sing. от_ ΣΎ (G4771) ты. _Dat._ личной заинтересованности с гл. ΜΕΛΈΤΩ _praes. imper...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    BEING A SERVANT— That is, _a slave. Use it rather,_ implies, that if a man could obtain his freedom, he might lawfully desire it; but if he could not, he was not to look upon it as a mark of the displ...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    BUTLER'S COMMENTS SECTION 3 The Pressures of Marriage (1 Corinthians 7:17-40) 17 Only, let every one lead the life which the Lord has assigned to him, and in which God has called him. This is my rul...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    APPLEBURY'S COMMENTS _Directions for the Married_ (10-24) _Commentary_ Unto the married, I give charge.Paul, speaking as an apostle of Christ, gives direction to those who are already married. It is...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. CARE NOT FOR IT - let it not be a trouble to thee that thou art a slave. USE IT RATHER. Either,...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    8 It is evident that the preceding concession is only a general rule, not applicable to those not then married. Their relations are to be regulated by mutual consideration, but the unmarried need to c...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    _(A) ANSWER TO QUESTIONS ABOUT MARRIAGE_ The Corinthians had in their letter (1 Corinthians 7:1) asked St. Paul's opinion on several points connectedwithmarriage. His language in reply is guarded; he...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    BUT IF THOU MAYEST BE MADE FREE, USE IT RATHER] an ambiguous sentence, like 1 Corinthians 7:16. 'It' may mean 'slavery' or 'freedom.' Either 'even if you have an opportunity of freedom, remain a slave...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    SERVANTS OF CHRIST 1 CORINTHIANS _HILDA BRIGHT_ CHAPTER 7 ADVICE ABOUT WHETHER TO MARRY 7:1-2 V1 But now I will deal with the matters that you wrote about. It is good for a man not to marry. V2...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    ART THOU CALLED BEING A SERVANT? — Better, _Were you called while a slave? Do not let that make you anxious._ The fact of your being in slavery does not affect the reality of completeness of your conv...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 11 MARRIAGE THERE are two preliminary considerations which throw some light on this much-contested passage. First, Paul had to speak about marriage as he found it, as it existed among those t...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    From the chief religious, the Ap. passes to the chief _social_ distinction of the times: _cf._ Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11. This contrast is developed only on one side no freeman wished to become...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    § 22. GOD'S CALLING AND ONE'S EARTHLY STATION. In treating of questions relating to marriage, the Apostle's general advice admitting of large exceptions (1 Corinthians 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:9; 1 Corint...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    SERVE GOD IN YOUR CALLING 1 Corinthians 7:15 There was much unsettlement in regard to marriage in the church at Corinth. An unnatural asceticism was showing itself in some quarters and a lawless self...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    Certain difficulties had arisen in the Corinthian Church concerning which they had sent inquiries to Paul. He now answers their questions. These answers contain principles of permanent application. Th...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    The Christian's Social Relations Becoming a Christian should not be used as an excuse for disrupting normal social relations, assuming they are not sinful. Christianity is only disruptive to that whic...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    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....

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    [BIBLIOGRAPHY] Magis utere, _Greek: mallon chresai. St. John Chrysostom says, Greek: touteti mallon douleue._...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    “Thou wast called being a slave, care not for it; but if therewith thou mayest be made free, use it rather.” Here in this domain is the extreme case which can be conceived. Few situations could appear...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    To illustrate the spirit of the prescriptions which he has just given, and to trace at the same time the line of conduct to be followed in certain analogous cases which occurred in the life of the Chu...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    Notwithstanding the intrinsic excellence of celibacy, marriage should be the rule in practice. Such is the general meaning of this first passage....

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (18) Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. (19) Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, bu...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    As usual, the introductory words (1 Corinthians 1:1-3) of the epistle give us no little intimation of that which is to follow. The apostle speaks of himself as such "called [to be] an apostle of Jesus...

  • James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

    _OUR CALLING_ ‘Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.’ 1 Corinthians 7:20 This is an exhortation much needed in the present day. Men and women often think that if only their...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    21._Art thou called being a servant _? We see here that Paul’s object (412) is to satisfy their consciences; for he exhorts servants to be of good cheer, and not be cast down, as if servitude were a h...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    The apostle proceeds by answering a question in connection with the subject he had been treating the will of God with regard to the relationship between man and woman. They do well who remain outside...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    ART THOU CALLED BEING A SERVANT?.... That is, called by grace whilst in the condition of a servant, CARE NOT FOR IT; do not be troubled at it, and uneasy with it; be not anxiously solicitous to be ot...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    Art thou called _being_ a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use _it_ rather. Ver. 21. _Use it rather_] Liberty is that we lost by sin, and affect by nature. _Servus est nomen...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _Let every man abide wherein he was called_ Affect not to change without the clear and evident leadings of Providence, as there is generally greater reason to expect a man will enjoy comfort, and be h...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    CALLED; converted to Christ. CARE NOT FOR IT; be not so anxious to change your condition as to unfit you to discharge its duties. IF THOU MAYEST BE MADE FREE; in the original, If thou canst be free;...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    A general application of these truths:...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    ART THOU CALLED BEING A SERVANT? CARE NOT FOR IT; BUT IF THOU MAYEST BE MADE FREE, USE IT RATHER....

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    Those things in Chapter s 5 and 6, which were of such serious importance as demanding correction, had evidently not even been questions in the minds of the Corinthians. But Paul was required to raise...

  • Mark Dunagan Commentaries

    WAST THOU CALLED BEING. BONDSERVANT? CARE NOT FOR IT: NAY, EVEN IF THOU CANST BECOME FREE, USE IT RATHER. 'The central and important issue with Paul was not the external circumstances, but one's respo...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    17-24 The rules of Christianity reach every condition; and in every state a man may live so as to be a credit to it. It is the duty of every Christian to be content with his lot, and to conduct himse...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    ART THOU CALLED BEING A SERVANT? CARE NOT FOR IT: If while thou art a servant to another in any honest employment, thou art converted to the Christian religion, let it not trouble thee, mind it not. A...

  • McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries

    Wast thou called being a bondservant? care not for it: nay, even if ["nay, even if" should read "but if"] _thou canst become free, use it_ [i. e., freedom] _rather_....

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Tertullian On the Veiling of Virgins not to say such a request as that (forsooth) their rivals-all the more "free" in that they are the "hand-maids" of Christ alone[16]...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    1 Corinthians 7:21 called G2564 (G5681) slave G1401 not G3361 concerned G3199 (G5720) G4671 but G235 if...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘Let each man abide in that calling in which he was when he was called. Were you called being a bondservant? Do not worry about it. But if you can become free use it rather.' As he makes clear Paul is...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    CHRISTIANS NEED NOT FEEL COMPELLED TO LEAVE THE STATE IN WHICH THEY WERE WHEN THEY WERE CALLED (7:17-24). Paul now stresses that from a spiritual point of view Christians need not worry about their ea...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    _The forgoing Principles applied to other Cases,_ 18-24. And first, _Circumcision._ 1 Corinthians 7:18. WAS ANY MAN CALLED BEING CIRCUMCISED? LET HIM NOT BECOME UNCIRCUMCISED which, under the persec...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    WAST THOU CALLED BEING A BONDSERVANT? (δουλος εκληθησ;). First aorist passive indicative. Wast thou, a slave, called?CARE NOT FOR IT (μη σο μελετω). "Let it not be a care to thee." Third person si...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Sanctity of marriage. Regulation of marriage among Gentile believers. CHARACTERS: God, Christ, Holy Spirit, Paul. CONCLUSION: Marriage is by divine wisdom prescribed for the preventing of f...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    It is evident from the tenor of this chapter that the Corinthians had written to the apostle for advice on the subject of marriage and its obligations, and that he is here resolving their various diff...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    WERE YOU A SLAVE? Perhaps _half_ the people of the first century were slaves, and the economy of the Roman world was based on slave labor. The changed attitudes of Christians removed the "sting" of sl...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk._ EVERY CHRISTIAN AT HIS POST 1. God appoints every man his station and condition in life. 2. Has calle...

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    CHAPTER 7 SYNOPSIS OF THE CHAPTER In this chapter he answers five questions of the Corinthians about the laws of matrimony, and about the counsel of virginity and celibacy i. The first question is...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL NOTES_ A. 1. Observe: With this chapter commences a NEW SECTION of the Epistle; the topics, and perhaps their order, suggested by a letter of formal inquiry brought from Corinth: vii. Marri...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION 1 CORINTHIANS 7:1 _Answers to the inquiries of the Corinthians respecting marriage._ 1 CORINTHIANS 7:1 _The_ _lawfulness of marriage, and its duties._...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Shall we turn now in our Bibles to the seventh chapter of I Corinthians. The Corinthian church was a mess. There were just a lot of problems, a problem with carnality. There were divisions in the chur...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Corinthians 12:13; 1 Corinthians 21:34; 1 Peter 2:18; 1 Peter 5:7;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    Use it rather. Whether the apostle means, use the bondage or use the freedom - whether, take advantage of the offer of freedom, or, remain in slavery - is, as Dean Stanley remarks, one of the most eve...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    Care not for it — Do not anxiously seek liberty. But if thou canst be free, use it rather — Embrace the opportunity....

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