1 Corinthians 7:23
Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
Original Language Analysis
τιμῆς
with a price
G5092
τιμῆς
with a price
Strong's:
G5092
Word #:
1 of 6
a value, i.e., money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy, esteem (especially of the highest degree), or the dignity itself
ἠγοράσθητε·
Ye are bought
G59
ἠγοράσθητε·
Ye are bought
Strong's:
G59
Word #:
2 of 6
properly, to go to market, i.e., (by implication) to purchase; specially, to redeem
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
3 of 6
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
γίνεσθε
be
G1096
γίνεσθε
be
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
4 of 6
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 6:20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.Leviticus 25:42For they are my servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen.Titus 2:14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.Revelation 5:9And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;Acts 20:28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.1 Peter 3:18For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:Galatians 2:4And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
Historical Context
Paul's language of being "bought with a price" would resonate powerfully with slaves and freedmen in Corinth who understood manumission through purchase. Christ's redemption definitively transfers ownership, making all believers His exclusive property regardless of earthly social status.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding redemption as "purchase" affect our sense of obligation to Christ?
- In what ways might Christians today become "slaves of men" despite being freed by Christ?
- How does belonging exclusively to Christ relativize earthly authority and social expectations?
Analysis & Commentary
Ye are bought with a price—the verb ēgorasthēte (ἠγοράσθητε, "you were bought") uses slave-market imagery for Christ's redemption. The timēs (τιμῆς, "price") is Christ's blood (1 Peter 1:18-19; Revelation 5:9). Believers are slaves purchased by Christ, transferred from sin's ownership to His. This echoes 6:19-20 where Paul used the same language against sexual immorality.
Therefore, be not ye the servants of men (mē ginesthe douloi anthrōpōn, μὴ γίνεσθε δοῦλοι ἀνθρώπων, "do not become slaves of men"). This command seems paradoxical after saying slaves should remain slaves (v. 21). Paul means: do not give ultimate allegiance to human masters, opinions, or systems. Christians belong to Christ alone, though they may occupy various earthly positions.
This principle has profound implications: believers must not become enslaved to human traditions, opinions, or authority structures that compete with Christ's Lordship. Even in earthly slavery or service, the Christian's ultimate Master is Christ. This relativizes all human authority and provides freedom from people-pleasing (Galatians 1:10).