1CO 7:17-24

Live Your Calling

17Only, as the Lord has distributed to each, as God has called each person — so let him walk. And this I order in all the assemblies. [7:18] Was anyone called having been circumcised? Let him not undo the circumcision. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised. [7:19] Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing — but keeping the commandments of God. [7:20] Let each remain in the calling in which he was called. [7:21] Were you called as a bondservant? Do not let it concern you — but if you are also able to become free, rather use it. [7:22] For the one called in the Lord as a bondservant is the Lord's freedman; likewise, the one called as free is Christ's bondservant. [7:23] You were bought with a price — do not become bondservants of men. [7:24] Brothers, let each remain with God in that condition in which he was called.

In the world it was spoken into

In the 1st-century Roman world, social status was deeply tied to identity and honor. Slavery was a pervasive institution, with (slaves) being property, lacking legal rights, and subject to their masters' authority. Manumission was possible, but freedmen often remained socially and economically dependent on their former masters. Circumcision was a significant marker of Jewish identity, while uncircumcision symbolized Gentile status. Paul’s instruction to remain in one’s (calling or social condition) when called by God reflects the cultural assumption that one’s status was divinely ordained. For slaves, this meant their identity in Christ transcended their social position, offering a radical redefinition of dignity. For the circumcised and uncircumcised, it emphasized that ethnic markers were secondary to obedience to God. This teaching subverted the honor-shame hierarchy by affirming that all believers, regardless of status, were equally valued in Christ.

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How other translations render this

1CO 7:17

KJV: But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
BSB: Regardless, each one should lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is what I prescribe in all the churches.
Koinōnos: Only, as the Lord has distributed to each, as God has called each person — so let him walk. And this I order in all the assemblies.

1CO 7:18

KJV: Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
BSB: Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man still uncircumcised when called? He should not be circumcised.
Koinōnos: Was anyone called having been circumcised? Let him not undo the circumcision. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.

1CO 7:19

KJV: Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
BSB: Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping Godʼs commandments is what counts.
Koinōnos: Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing — but keeping the commandments of God.

1CO 7:20

KJV: Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
BSB: Each one should remain in the situation he was in when he was called.
Koinōnos: Let each remain in the calling in which he was called.

1CO 7:21

KJV: Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
BSB: Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it concern you—but if you can gain your freedom, take the opportunity.
Koinōnos: Were you called as a bondservant? Do not let it concern you — but if you are also able to become free, rather use it.

1CO 7:22

KJV: 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.
BSB: For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lordʼs freedman. Conversely, he who was a free man when he was called is Christʼs slave.
Koinōnos: For the one called in the Lord as a bondservant is the Lord's freedman; likewise, the one called as free is Christ's bondservant.

1CO 7:23

KJV: Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
BSB: You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.
Koinōnos: You were bought with a price — do not become bondservants of men.

1CO 7:24

KJV: Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
BSB: Brothers, each one should remain in the situation he was in when God called him.
Koinōnos: Brothers, let each remain with God in that condition in which he was called.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

1CO 7:17

he should walk;:The word translated 'he should walk' often refers to one's daily conduct or manner of life, not just physical movement. It describes how a person lives out their existence.

1CO 7:20

calling:The term 'calling' here refers to the divine invitation or summons from God into a new relationship and purpose, not merely a profession or vocation.

1CO 7:21

Slave [being]:The word translated 'slave' refers to someone who is a born bondman or bondwoman, indicating a state of complete subservience and lack of personal rights, rather than a temporary servant.

1CO 7:22

a freedman:A 'freedman' was an emancipated slave who, while no longer enslaved, still often retained certain obligations or social distinctions from their former master or status.