1 COR 7:22 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) because anyone who was a slave when they were called by Yahweh is free in Yahweh’s sight. Conversely, anyone who was free when they were called is the messiah’s slave.

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT For the one having been called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise, the one having been called as a freeman is a slave of Christ.

UST Do not worry about your social position, because the Lord considers all people who were slaves when they believed in him to be free people now. Similarly, the Messiah considers all people who were free people when they believed in him to be his slaves now.

BLB For the one having been called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's freedman; likewise the one having been called while free is a slave of Christ.

AICNT For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ.

OEB For the person who was a slave when they were called to the master’s service is the Master’s freedman; so, too, the person who was free when called is Christ’s slave.

WEBBE For he who was called in the Lord being a bondservant is the Lord’s free man. Likewise he who was called being free is Christ’s bondservant.

WMBB For he who was called in the Lord being a bondservant is the Lord’s free man. Likewise he who was called being free is Messiah’s bondservant.

NET For the one who was called in the Lord as a slave is the Lord’s freedman. In the same way, the one who was called as a free person is Christ’s slave.

LSV for he who [is] in the LORD—having been called a servant—is the LORD’s freedman: in like manner also he the freeman, having been called, is servant of Christ:

FBV If you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free, working for the Lord. In the same way if you were called when you were free, you are now Christ's slave!

TCNT For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is the Lord's freedman. In the same way, he who was called as a free man is Christ's slave.

T4T Do not worry about your previously being a slave, because those who were slaves before they became Christians, the Lord has freed them from Satan’s control. Similarly, those who were not slaves before they became Christians, it is as though [MET] they are Christ’s slaves because they must do what he tells them to do [MET].

LEB For the one who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedperson. Likewise the one who is called while free is a slave of Christ.

BBE For he who was a servant when he became a Christian is the Lord's free man; and he who was free when he became a Christian is the Lord's servant.

Moff But a slave who is called to be in the Lord is a freedman of the Lord. Just as a free man who is called is a slave of Christ

Wymth For a Christian, if he was a slave when called, is the Lord's freed man, and in the same way a free man, if called, becomes the slave of Christ.

ASV For he that was called in the Lord being a bondservant, is the Lord’s freedman: likewise he that was called being free, is Christ’s bondservant.

DRA For he that is called in the Lord, being a bondman, is the freeman of the Lord. Likewise he that is called, being free, is the bondman of Christ.

YLT for he who [is] in the Lord — having been called a servant — is the Lord's freedman: in like manner also he the freeman, having been called, is servant of Christ:

Drby For the bondman that is called in [the] Lord is the Lord's freedman; in like manner [also] the freeman being called is Christ's bondman.

RV For he that was called in the Lord, being a bondservant, is the Lord’s freedman: likewise he that was called, being free, is Christ’s bondservant.

SLT For the servant called in the Lord, is the freedman of the Lord: likewise also the freedman called, is the servant of Christ.

Wbstr For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's free-man: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.

KJB-1769 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.

KJB-1611 For he that is called in the Lord, being a seruant, is the Lords [fn]free man: likewise also hee that is called being free, is Christs seruant.
(For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lords free man: likewise also he that is called being free, is Christs servant.)

7:22 Gr. made free.

Bshps For he that is called in the Lord being a seruaunt, is the Lordes free man: Lykewyse also he that is called beyng free, is Christes seruaunt.
(For he that is called in the Lord being a servant, is the Lords free man: Likewise also he that is called being free, is Christ’s servant.)

Gnva For he that is called in the Lord, being. a seruant, is the Lords freeman: likewise also he that is called being free, is Christes seruant.
(For he that is called in the Lord, being. a servant, is the Lords freeman: likewise also he that is called being free, is Christ’s servant. )

Cvdl For he that is called in the LORDE beynge a seruaute, is a fre man of the LORDE. Likewyse he that is called beynge fre, is a seruaut of Christ.
(For he that is called in the LORD being a servante, is a free man of the LORD. Likewise he that is called being fre, is a servant of Christ.)

TNT For he that is called in the lorde beynge a servaunt is the lordes freman. Lykwyse he that is called beynge fre is Christes servaut.
(For he that is called in the lord being a servant is the lords freman. Lykwyse he that is called being free is Christ’s servant. )

Wycl He that is a seruaunt, and is clepid in the Lord, is a freman of the Lord. Also he that is a freman, and is clepid, is the seruaunt of Crist.
(He that is a servant, and is called in the Lord, is a freman of the Lord. Also he that is a freman, and is called, is the servant of Christ.)

Luth Denn wer als Knecht berufen ist in dem HErr’s, der ist ein Gefreiter des HErr’s; desselbigengleichen, wer als Freier berufen ist, der ist ein Knecht Christi.
(Because who as servant/farmhand appointed is in to_him LORD’s, the/of_the is a Gefreiter the LORD’s; the_same, who as Freier appointed is, the/of_the is a servant/farmhand Christi.)

ClVg Qui enim in Domino vocatus est servus, libertus est Domini: similiter qui liber vocatus est, servus est Christi.[fn]
(Who because in/into/on Master called it_is servant, libertus it_is Master: likewise who/which book/volume called it_is, servant it_is Christi. )

7.22 Libertus. Quia ereptus a peccatis, quæ servos faciunt. Ergo nec servus conditione despiciatur, nec liber ereptus elatus servo se præponat.

7.22 Libertus. Because ereptus from sins, which server/keepers they_do. Therefore but_not servant condition let_him_look_downur, but_not book/volume ereptus elatus server/keeper himself beforeponat.

UGNT ὁ γὰρ ἐν Κυρίῳ κληθεὶς δοῦλος, ἀπελεύθερος Κυρίου ἐστίν; ὁμοίως ὁ ἐλεύθερος κληθεὶς, δοῦλός ἐστιν Χριστοῦ.
(ho gar en Kuriōi klaʸtheis doulos, apeleutheros Kuriou estin; homoiōs ho eleutheros klaʸtheis, doulos estin Ⱪristou.)

SBL-GNT ὁ γὰρ ἐν κυρίῳ κληθεὶς δοῦλος ἀπελεύθερος κυρίου ἐστίν· ⸀ὁμοίως ὁ ἐλεύθερος κληθεὶς δοῦλός ἐστιν Χριστοῦ.
(ho gar en kuriōi klaʸtheis doulos apeleutheros kuriou estin; ⸀homoiōs ho eleutheros klaʸtheis doulos estin Ⱪristou.)

RP-GNT Ὁ γὰρ ἐν κυρίῳ κληθεὶς δοῦλος, ἀπελεύθερος κυρίου ἐστίν· ὁμοίως καὶ ὁ ἐλεύθερος κληθείς, δοῦλός ἐστιν χριστοῦ.
(Ho gar en kuriōi klaʸtheis doulos, apeleutheros kuriou estin; homoiōs kai ho eleutheros klaʸtheis, doulos estin ⱪristou.)

TC-GNT Ὁ γὰρ ἐν Κυρίῳ κληθεὶς δοῦλος, ἀπελεύθερος Κυρίου ἐστίν· ὁμοίως [fn]καὶ ὁ ἐλεύθερος κληθείς, δοῦλός ἐστι Χριστοῦ.
(Ho gar en Kuriōi klaʸtheis doulos, apeleutheros Kuriou estin; homoiōs kai ho eleutheros klaʸtheis, doulos esti Ⱪristou. )

7:22 και ¦ — CT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 7:1–40: Paul answered questions about marriage

In an earlier letter to Paul, the Corinthians had mentioned some problems and asked him some questions. There are no longer any copies of this letter, so we can only guess what they wrote by reading Paul’s answers. Apparently some of the questions the Corinthians had asked were about marriage and sex. In this section Paul discussed these topics. He wrote about sexual intercourse, divorce, marrying again after a person’s husband or wife dies, and never marrying.

From the way Paul talked, it appears that the Corinthians were thinking that if believers want to be holy, they should abstain from sexual relations. The Corinthians were wondering if married people should sleep together, if Christians who were married to non-Christians should divorce them, and if Christians should get married. Paul gave them some wise teaching on each of these topics. In 7:1–16 he addressed Christians who were married. In 7:17–24 he wrote about his general rule for Christians: Remain as you are. In 7:25–38 he taught Christians who were not married. In 7:39–40 he addressed women whose husbands had died.

Other possible section headings include:

Paul gave/wrote instructions about Christian marriage

Paul’s teaching on marriage

Paragraph 7:17–24

In these verses Paul taught the Corinthians his general rule or principle: “Remain as you are.” He said that a believer does not have to change his or her situation in life to please God. So each believer should try to stay the way they were when God called them to belong to Christ. They could serve him as Jew or Gentile, married or single, and slave or free. They could please God in whatever situation he has put them.

In these verses Paul began by giving his general rule (7:17). Then he gave an example of this rule: When you become a Christian, it does not matter if you are circumcised or not; just stay that way (7:18–19). Then he repeated the general rule (7:20). Then he gave a second example: When you become a Christian, it does not matter if you are a slave; you can serve God as a slave or as a free man (7:21–23). Then he repeated his general rule (7:24).

7:22a

For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman.

For a person who was a slave when he was called to become a Christian is now a freedman to/of the Lord.
It is all right either way because even if you were a slave at the time when God called/invited you to be united with the Lord Jesus, the Lord Jesus has made you his own and freed you from the power of evil/wrongdoing.

For: This verse begins with the connecting word For. Paul was giving the basis for what he said in 7:21a-b, that the Christian slave need not be distressed about his slavery.

he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman: Christians who are slaves should not be worried about being slaves, for God accepts all believers as his people and can use them whether are slaves or not. A person’s place in life is not the important thing in God’s eyes/opinion.

he was called by the Lord: There are two ways to understand the Greek words that the BSB translates as he was called by the Lord:

It means “he was called in the Lord.” Paul was talking about slaves whom God called to be “in the Lord,” that is, God called/chose them to become believers. For example:
the one who was called in the Lord (NET) (REB, NJB, KJV, NASB, RSV, ESV, NET)
It means “he was called by the Lord,” that is, the Lord is the one who called the slave. For example:
If the Lord called you (GW) (BSB, NIV, GNT, CEV, NLT, GW, NCV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). In the NT the phrase “in the Lord” almost always means “as a Christian.”Read Pam Bendor-Samuel’s article ‘In Christ’—Another Look at Its Meaning in the NT, 1998, published by SIL. In section 6.1 of her article, Bendor-Samuel says that the phrase “in the Lord” occurs more than 50 times in the NT, and that it almost always means “as a Christian.”

he was called: This is in the passive. In some languages it may be natural to translate it with an active verb and to supply the subject “God”:

God called him

7:22b

Conversely, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave.

In the same way, a person who was free when God called/chose him to become a Christian now belongs to Christ and so is Christ’s slave.
In the same way, if you were without a master when God called/invited you to be joined together with the Lord Jesus Christ, you now belong to Christ and he is your master.

Conversely, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave: Paul now addressed believers who were not slaves. The term free man means anyone who is not a slave. It includes both people who used to be slaves but are now free, and also people who have never been slaves.

Christ’s slave: This is a figure of speech. When a free man believes in Jesus, he is still a free man in earthly terms, but when he believed in Jesus Christ, God joined him together with Christ. He now belongs to Christ and is under Christ’s control. See Ephesians 6:9, Colossians 4:1, and Romans 6:18–22.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

γὰρ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ὁ Γάρ ἐν Κυρίῳ κληθείς δοῦλος ἀπελεύθερος Κυρίου ἐστίν ὁμοίως ὁ ἐλεύθερος κληθείς δοῦλος ἐστίν Χριστοῦ)

Here, For provides support for the claim that Paul made at the beginning of the previous verse that those who are slaves should not be concerned by that ([7:21](../07/21.md)). If it would be helpful in your language, you could make what For supports explicit. Alternate translation: [Do not be concerned about being a slave because]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

ὁ & ἐν Κυρίῳ κληθεὶς & ὁ & κληθεὶς

the_‹one› & in ˓the˒_Lord the & (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ὁ Γάρ ἐν Κυρίῳ κληθείς δοῦλος ἀπελεύθερος Κυρίου ἐστίν ὁμοίως ὁ ἐλεύθερος κληθείς δοῦλος ἐστίν Χριστοῦ)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Paul uses the passive form here to focus on those who are called rather than focusing on the person doing the “calling.” If you must state who does the action, Paul implies that “God” does it. Alternate translation: [the one whom God called in the Lord as … the one whom God called]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἐν Κυρίῳ

in ˓the˒_Lord

Here Paul uses the spatial metaphor in the Lord to describe the union of believers with Christ. In this case, being in the Lord, or united to the Lord, identifies the person having been called as someone who is united to the Lord. Alternate translation: [to be united to the Lord]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

ἀπελεύθερος Κυρίου

˓a˒_freedman ˱of˲_˓the˒_Lord

Here Paul uses the possessive form to describe someone who is a freedman in the perspective of the Lord. In other words, while the person may be a slave in terms of human thinking, that person is a freedman before the Lord. If your language would not use the possessive form to express that idea, you could express the idea by speaking about the Lord’s “perspective” or “sight.” Alternate translation: [is a freedman in the Lord’s eyes]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

δοῦλός & Χριστοῦ

Here Paul uses the possessive form to describe someone who is a slave who belongs to Christ. In other words, while the person may be free in terms of human thinking, that person is a slave in relationship to Christ. If your language would not use the possessive form to express that idea, you could express the idea by using a phrase such as “belonging to.” Alternate translation: [a slave who belongs to Christ]

Parallel 1 COR 7:22

Section 7:1–40: Paul answered questions about marriage

Paragraph 7:17–24

7:22a

7:22b

Parallel 1 COR 7:22