Live as You Are Called

17 Only let each person lead the life[a] (A)that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. (B)This is my rule in (C)all the churches. 18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? (D)Let him not seek circumcision. 19 (E)For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but (F)keeping the commandments of God. 20 (G)Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. 21 Were you a bondservant[b] when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is (H)a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is (I)a bondservant of Christ. 23 (J)You were bought with a price; (K)do not become bondservants of men. 24 So, brothers,[c] (L)in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 7:17 Or each person walk in the way
  2. 1 Corinthians 7:21 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; also verses 22 (twice), 23
  3. 1 Corinthians 7:24 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 29

Various Situations of Life

17 Let each one live his life in the situation the Lord assigned when God called(A) him.[a] This is what I command in all the churches. 18 Was anyone already circumcised when he was called? He should not undo his circumcision. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? He should not get circumcised. 19 Circumcision does not matter and uncircumcision does not matter. Keeping God’s commands is what matters. 20 Let each of you remain in the situation[b] in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a slave? Don’t let it concern you. But if you can become free, by all means take the opportunity.[c] 22 For he who is called by the Lord as a slave(B) is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called as a free man is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought(C) at a price; do not become slaves of people. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person is to remain with God in the situation in which he was called.

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Footnotes

  1. 7:17 Lit called each
  2. 7:20 Lit in the calling
  3. 7:21 Or But even though you can become free, make the most of your position as a slave