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1 Corinthians 7

1 Cor. 7:21 KJV (With Strong’s)

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21
Art thou called
kaleo (Greek #2564)
to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
KJV usage: bid, call (forth), (whose, whose sur-)name (was (called)).
Pronounce: kal-eh'-o
Origin: akin to the base of 2753
being a servant
doulos (Greek #1401)
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
KJV usage: bond(-man), servant.
Pronounce: doo'-los
Origin: from 1210
? care
melo (Greek #3199)
to be of interest to, i.e. to concern (only third person singular present indicative used impersonally, it matters)
KJV usage: (take) care.
Pronounce: mel'-o
Origin: a primary verb
x not
me (Greek #3361)
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
KJV usage: any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also 3362, 3363, 3364, 3372, 3373, 3375, 3378.
Pronounce: may
Origin: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial)
for it
soi (Greek #4671)
to thee
KJV usage: thee, thine own, thou, thy.
Pronounce: soy
Origin: dative case of 4771
: but
alla (Greek #235)
properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
KJV usage: and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
Pronounce: al-lah'
Origin: neuter plural of 243
if
ei (Greek #1487)
if, whether, that, etc.
KJV usage: forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether. Often used in connection or composition with other particles, especially as in 1489, 1490, 1499, 1508, 1509, 1512, 1513, 1536, 1537. See also 1437.
Pronounce: i
Origin: a primary particle of conditionality
thou mayest
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
dunamai (Greek #1410)
to be able or possible
KJV usage: be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.
Pronounce: doo'-nam-ahee
Origin: of uncertain affinity
be made
ginomai (Greek #1096)
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
KJV usage: arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.
Pronounce: ghin'-om-ahee
Origin: a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb
free
eleutheros (Greek #1658)
unrestrained (to go at pleasure), i.e. (as a citizen) not a slave (whether freeborn or manumitted), or (genitive case) exempt (from obligation or liability)
KJV usage: free (man, woman), at liberty.
Pronounce: el-yoo'-ther-os
Origin: probably from the alternate of 2064
, use
chraomai (Greek #5530)
to furnish what is needed; (give an oracle, "graze" (touch slightly), light upon, etc.), i.e. (by implication) to employ or (by extension) to act towards one in a given manner
KJV usage: entreat, use. Compare 5531; 5534.
Pronounce: khrah'-om-ahee
Origin: middle voice of a primary verb (perhaps rather from 5495, to handle)
it rather
mallon (Greek #3123)
(adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather
KJV usage: + better, X far, (the) more (and more), (so) much (the more), rather.
Pronounce: mal'-lon
Origin: neuter of the comparative of the same as 3122
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x
Heb. 13:5• 5Let your conversation be without love of money, satisfied with your present circumstances; for *he* has said, I will not leave thee, neither will I forsake thee. (Heb. 13:5)

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Servant

Cross References

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being.
1 Cor. 12:13• 13For also in the power of one Spirit *we* have all been baptised into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bondmen or free, and have all been given to drink of one Spirit. (1 Cor. 12:13)
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Gal. 3:28• 28There is no Jew nor Greek; there is no bondman nor freeman; there is no male and female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus: (Gal. 3:28)
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Col. 3:11• 11wherein there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is everything, and in all. (Col. 3:11)
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1 Tim. 6:1‑3• 1Let as many bondmen as are under yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and the teaching be not blasphemed.
 2And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren; but let them the rather serve them with subjection, because they are faithful and beloved, who profit by the good and ready service rendered. These things teach and exhort.
 3If any one teach differently, and do not accede to sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the teaching which is according to piety, (1 Tim. 6:1‑3)
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1 Peter 2:18‑24• 18Servants, be subject with all fear to your masters, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the ill-tempered.
 19For this is acceptable, if one, for conscience sake towards God, endure griefs, suffering unjustly.
 20For what glory is it, if sinning and being buffeted ye shall bear it? but if, doing good and suffering, ye shall bear it, this is acceptable with God.
 21For to this have ye been called; for Christ also has suffered for you, leaving you a model that ye should follow in his steps:
 22who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth;
 23who, when reviled, reviled not again; when suffering, threatened not; but gave himself over into the hands of him who judges righteously;
 24who himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, in order that, being dead to sins, we may live to righteousness: by whose stripes ye have been healed. (1 Peter 2:18‑24)
a servant.Rather, a slave, [doulos ,] the property of another, and bought with his money.
In these verses the apostle shows that Christianity makes no change in our civil connections.care.
Luke 10:40‑41• 40Now Martha was distracted with much serving, and coming up she said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Speak to her therefore that she may help me.
 41But Jesus answering said to her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things; (Luke 10:40‑41)
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Luke 12:29• 29And *ye*, seek not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink, and be not in anxiety; (Luke 12:29)
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Luke 12•  (Luke 12)
:*marg:;
Luke 21:34• 34But take heed to yourselves lest possibly your hearts be laden with surfeiting and drinking and cares of life, and that day come upon you suddenly unawares; (Luke 21:34)
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Phil. 4:6,11• 6Be careful about nothing; but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
 11Not that I speak as regards privation, for as to me *I* have learnt in those circumstances in which I am, to be satisfied in myself. (Phil. 4:6,11)
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Heb. 13:5• 5Let your conversation be without love of money, satisfied with your present circumstances; for *he* has said, I will not leave thee, neither will I forsake thee. (Heb. 13:5)
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1 Peter 5:7• 7having cast all your care upon him, for he cares about you. (1 Peter 5:7)

J. N. Darby Translation

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21
Hast thou been called being a bondman, let it not concern thee; but and if thou canst become free, use it rather.

W. Kelly Translation

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21
Wast thou called a bondman? Let it not be a care to thee; but if also thou canst be free, use [ita] rather.

WK Translation Notes

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a
Some take this verse to mean, Even if thou canst be free, use it rather (the bondage) rather than to be a freeman. This however appears not only to be extravagant, but to make the human circumstances of too much weight, as if slavery were more favourable than Christian walk in freedom.