1 Corinthians 7:23
Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
1 Corinthians 7:23 in other translations
| BSB | You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. |
|---|---|
| WEB | You were bought with a price. Don’t become bondservants of men. |
| ASV | Ye were bought with a price; become not bondservants of men. |
| YLT | with a price ye were bought, become not servants of men; |
| DARBY | Ye have been bought with a price; do not be the bondmen of men. |
| BBE | It is the Lord who has made payment for you: be not servants of men. |
| Webster | Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. |
What does 1 Corinthians 7:23 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
Be not ye the servants of men. That is, "Do not regard yourselves as the slaves OF MEN. Even in your humble relation of life, even as servants under the laws of the land, regard yourselves as the servants of God, as obeying and serving him even in this relation, since all those who are bought with a price--all Christians, whether bond or free--are in fact the servants (slaves, δουλοι) of God, yet. 22. In this relation, therefore, esteem yourselves as the servants of God, as bound by his laws, as subject to him, and as really serving him, while you yield all proper obedience to your master." Rosenmuller, Grotius, and some others, however, think that this refers to Christians in general; and that the apostle means to caution them against subjecting themselves to needless rites and customs which the false teachers would impose on them. Others have supposed (as Doddridge) that it means that they should not sell themselves into slavery; but assuredly a caution of this kind was not needful. The view given above I regard as the interpretation demanded by the connexion. And in this view it would promote contentment, and would even prevent their taking any improper measures to disturb the relations of social life, by the high and solemn consideration that even in that relation they were, in common with all Christians, the true and real servants of God. They belonged to God, and they should serve him. In all things which their masters commanded, that were in accordance with the will of God, and that could be done with a quiet conscience, they were to regard themselves as serving God: if at any time they were commanded to do that which God had forbidden, they were to remember that they were the servants of GOD, and that he was to be obeyed rather than man.
(b) "bought with a price" 1Cor 6:20
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:17-24
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 himself in his rank and place as becomes a Christian. Our comfort and happiness depend on what we are to Christ, not what we are in the world. No man should think to make his faith or religion, an argument to break through any…
1 Corinthians 7:23 in the original Greek
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Cross references for 1 Corinthians 7:23
- 1 Corinthians 6:20
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
- 1 Peter 1:18-19
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
- Titus 2:14
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
- Leviticus 25:42
For they are my servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen.
- Revelation 5:9
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
- 1 Peter 3:18
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
- Acts 20:28
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
- Galatians 2:4
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
- Matthew 23:8-11
But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- 1 Corinthians 7:22
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 7:23
Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
- 1 Corinthians 7:24
Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
1 Corinthians 7:23 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Por precio sois comprados; no os hagáis siervos de los hombres. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Vous avez été achetés à prix; ne devenez pas esclaves des hommes. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Ihr seid um einen Preis erkauft; werdet nicht der Menschen Sklaven. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Pretio empti estis: nolite fieri servi hominum. |