1 Corinthians 7:23
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
1 Corinthians 7:23
23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
Chapter Context
1 Corinthians 7 is a pastoral epistle chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of discipleship, worship, prayer. Written during Paul's third missionary journey (c. 55 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: The church existed in a prosperous, cosmopolitan, morally permissive Roman colony.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-40: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it addresses timeless questions about faith, suffering, and divine purpose. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within 1 Corinthians and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
1 Corinthians 7:23
23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
Analysis
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).
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.
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?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: 1 Corinthians 6:20, Leviticus 25:42, Acts 20:28, Galatians 2:4, Titus 2:14, 1 Peter 3:18