Parallel Verses
An Understandable Version
Were you a slave when you were called? It should not matter to you [i.e., if you still are]. But if, indeed, you can become a free person, then use that freedom instead [i.e., for serving God].
New American Standard Bible
Were you called while a slave?
King James Version
Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
Holman Bible
Were you called while a slave? It should not be a concern to you. But if you can become free, by all means take the opportunity.
International Standard Version
Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let that bother you. Of course, if you have a chance to become free, take advantage of the opportunity.
A Conservative Version
Were thou called being a bondman? It should not concern thee. However if also thou are able to become free, take advantage of it instead.
American Standard Version
Wast thou called being a bondservant? Care not for it: nay, even if thou canst become free, use it rather.
Amplified
Were you a slave when you were called? Do not worry about that [since your status as a believer is
Anderson New Testament
Were you a servant when you were called? Care not for it. But if you can become free, rather enjoy your freedom.
Bible in Basic English
If you were a servant when you became a Christian, let it not be a grief to you; but if you have a chance to become free, make use of it.
Common New Testament
Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it trouble youbut if you can gain your freedom, do so.
Daniel Mace New Testament
were you called being a slave? be not perplex'd about it; but if you can obtain your freedom, don't refuse it.
Darby Translation
Hast thou been called being a bondman, let it not concern thee; but and if thou canst become free, use it rather.
Godbey New Testament
Have you been called being a slave? let it not be a care to you: but if indeed you are able to become free, use it in preference.
Goodspeed New Testament
If you were a slave when you were called, never mind. Even if you can gain your freedom, make the most of your present condition instead.
John Wesley New Testament
Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou canst be made free, use it rather.
Julia Smith Translation
A servant wert thou called? let it not concern thee: for if thou art able to be free, rather make use of it.
King James 2000
Are you called being a servant? care not for it: but if you may be made free, use it rather.
Lexham Expanded Bible
Were you called [while] a slave? Do not let it be a concern to you. But if indeed you are able to become free, rather make use of [it].
Modern King James verseion
Were you called as a slave? It does not matter to you, but if you are able to become free, use it rather.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
Art thou called a servant? Care not for it. Nevertheless if thou mayst be free, use it rather.
Moffatt New Testament
You were a slave when you were called? Never mind. Of course, if you do find it possible to get free, you had better avail yourself of the opportunity.
Montgomery New Testament
Were you called in slavery? Let not that trouble you; but if you can become free make use of the opportunity.
NET Bible
Were you called as a slave? Do not worry about it. But if indeed you are able to be free, make the most of the opportunity.
New Heart English Bible
Were you called being a bondservant? Do not let that bother you, but if you get an opportunity to become free, use it.
Noyes New Testament
Wast thou called being a slave, care not for it; but even if thou canst be made free, use it rather.
Sawyer New Testament
were you called being a servant, care not for it; but if you can be free, use it rather.
The Emphasized Bible
A bond-servant, wast thou called? let it not cause thee concern; but, if thou canst even become, free, rather use it.
Thomas Haweis New Testament
Art thou called being a slave? let it give thee no concern; but if thou canst also obtain thy freedom, rather make use of it.
Twentieth Century New Testament
Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let that trouble you. No, even if you are able to gain your freedom, still do your best.
Webster
Art thou called being a servant? care not for it; but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
Weymouth New Testament
Were you a slave when God called you? Let not that weigh on your mind. And yet if you can get your freedom, take advantage of the opportunity.
Williams New Testament
Were you called while a slave? Stop letting that annoy you. Yet, if you can win your freedom, take advantage of such an opportunity.
World English Bible
Were you called being a bondservant? Don't let that bother you, but if you get an opportunity to become free, use it.
Worrell New Testament
Were you called, being a slave? care not for it; but, even if you can become free, use it rather.
Worsley New Testament
Wast thou called being a slave, be not anxious about it; but if thou canst be made free, prefer it.
Youngs Literal Translation
a servant -- wast thou called? be not anxious; but if also thou art able to become free -- use it rather;
Themes
Civil liberty » General references to civil
Liberty » General references to civil
Servant » Bond » Equal status of, with other disciples of jesus
Servant » Bond » Emancipation of
Servants » Should be contented in their situation
The Nation » Payment of taxes (tribute) » Civil liberty, general references to
Interlinear
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References
Word Count of 37 Translations in 1 Corinthians 7:21
Prayers for 1 Corinthians 7:21
Verse Info
Context Readings
Concerning Christian Marriage
20 Each person should remain in the [same] state he was in when he was called [by God]. 21 Were you a slave when you were called? It should not matter to you [i.e., if you still are]. But if, indeed, you can become a free person, then use that freedom instead [i.e., for serving God]. 22 For the person who was a slave when called by the Lord is [now] the Lord's freed person. In the same way, the person who was free when he was called [by the Lord] is [now] Christ's slave.
Names
Cross References
Luke 10:40-41
But Martha was preoccupied with all the preparations [i.e., for entertaining her beloved guest] and came up to Jesus and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Ask her to help me."
Luke 12:29
So, do not look [anxiously] for what you will eat, and what you will drink, and do not be [continually] worried [i.e., about such things].
Luke 21:34
"But pay attention to yourselves so that your hearts do not become overburdened by carousing, and drunkenness, and the worries of life. [If you do], that 'day' [i.e., Jesus' second coming and judgment] will arrive suddenly, like a trap [i.e., which catches an animal by surprise].
1 Corinthians 12:13
For we were all immersed by means of the one Holy Spirit into one body [i.e., the church], whether [we were] Jews or Greeks [i.e., Gentiles], whether slaves or free people, and were all given the one [and the same] Holy Spirit to drink. [Note: This probably refers to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, given to all immersed believers. See John 7:37-39; Acts 2:38].
Galatians 3:28
[In this relationship] there is to be no [distinction between] Jews or Greeks [i.e., Gentiles], slaves or free persons, men or women; for all of you are united into one [body] because of your relationship with Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6
Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and [special] petition, along with thanksgivings, you should make your requests known to God.
Philippians 4:11
I am not saying this because of being in need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances.
Colossians 3:11
[In this state] there cannot be [such distinctions as] Greek [i.e., Gentile] and Jew; circumcised people and non-circumcised people; barbarian and Scythian [Note: These last two words refer to foreigners whose language was unintelligible and who were uncivilized heathens], or slave and free person; but Christ is all [that is important] and [He is] in all [of His people].
1 Timothy 6:1-3
All those people who are under the reins of slavery [i.e., in subjection to someone] should consider their own masters as deserving of full respect, so that God's name and [His] teaching will not be spoken against [i.e., by unbelievers].
Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money [and be] content with what you have, because God [Himself] has said [Deut. 31:6], "By no means will I [ever] desert you or give up on you."
1 Peter 2:18-24
Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters and show them respect, not just the ones who are good [to you] and treat you well, but also to those who are harsh toward you.
1 Peter 5:7
Place all your anxious cares upon God [in prayer], because He genuinely cares about you.