1 Corinthians 7:17-24 - Various Situations Of Life
17 Each person should live according to what the Lord has given him and in the state he was when God called him. And this is what I require in all the churches. 18 Was any man already circumcised when he was called [by God to be a Christian]? Then he should not [try to] become uncircumcised. [Note: Some Jews in that day resorted to a surgical procedure in an attempt to conceal their circumcision]. Was any man uncircumcised when he was called? Then he should not become circumcised. 19 Being circumcised does not matter [with God], nor does being uncircumcised matter [either]. But observing God's commands is what matters. 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. 23 [Since] you people were bought for a price [i.e., the blood of Christ], do not become slaves to [other] people. 24 Brothers, each person should remain [in fellowship] with God in the [same] state he was in when he was called [by God to be a Christian].