1 Corinthians 7:17-24
English Standard Version
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.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1 Corinthians 7:17 Or each person walk in the way
- 1 Corinthians 7:21 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; also verses 22 (twice), 23
- 1 Corinthians 7:24 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 29
1 Corinthians 7:17-24
New Living Translation
17 Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches. 18 For instance, a man who was circumcised before he became a believer should not try to reverse it. And the man who was uncircumcised when he became a believer should not be circumcised now. 19 For it makes no difference whether or not a man has been circumcised. The important thing is to keep God’s commandments.
20 Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called you. 21 Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it. 22 And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ. 23 God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world.[a] 24 Each of you, dear brothers and sisters,[b] should remain as you were when God first called you.
Read full chapterThe Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
