1 Corinthians 7:23

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1 Corinthians 7:23 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.

King James Version KJV

Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

American Standard Version ASV

Ye were bought with a price; become not bondservants of men.

Bible in Basic English BBE

It is the Lord who has made payment for you: be not servants of men.

Free Bible Version FBV

A price has been paid for you, so don't become a slave to anyone.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Yee are bought with a price: be not the seruants of men.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

with a price ye were bought, become not servants of men;

World English Bible WEB

You were bought with a price. Don’t become bondservants of men.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

You are bought with a price; be not made the bondslaves of men.

Translation for Translators T4T

Christ paid a price to buy you when he died for you. So do not act as if you are evil people’s slaves by doing the evil things that they tell you to do.

Plain English Version PEV

You see, God bought you and he paid a lot for you. So don’t let anyone else control you and get you to go wrong.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Corinthians 7:23

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Word Study

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1 Corinthians 7:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK τιμης ηγορασθητε μη γινεσθε δουλοι ανθρωπων

τιμης timē G5092 honor Noun-GSF

ηγορασθητε agorazō G59 to buy Verb-API-2P

μη mē G3361 not Particle-N

γινεσθε ginomai G1096 to be Verb-PNM-2P

δουλοι doulos G1401 slave Noun-NPM

ανθρωπων anthrōpos G444 a human Noun-GPM

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — 1 Corinthians 7:23

τιμης timē G5092 "honor" Noun-GSF

Honor refers to the value or esteem given to someone or something. In the Bible, it can mean a price paid or the dignity and respect given to a person, as seen in Romans 12:10 and 1 Timothy 5:17.

Definition: τιμή, -ῆς, ἡ [in LXX for עֵרֶךְ, יְקָר, etc. ;] a valuing, hence, objectively; __1. a price paid or received: with genitive of person(s), Mat.27:9; with genitive of thing(s), Act.5:2-3; pl., Act.4:34 19:19; τ. αἵματος, Mat.27:6; ἠγοράσθητε τιμῆς, 1Co.6:20 7:23; ὠνεῖσθαι τιμῆς ἀργυρίου, Act.7:16. __2. esteem, honour: Rom.12:10 13:7, 1Co.12:23, 1Ti.5:17 6:1, Heb.5:4, 1Pe.2:7 (R, txt., preciousness, cf. Hort, in l), 1Pe.3:7; τ. διδόναι, 1Co.12:24; ἔχειν, Jhn.4:44, Heb.3:3; τ. καὶ δόξα (δ. κ. τ.), Rom.2:7, 10, 1Ti.1:17, Heb.2:7" (LXX), Heb.2:9, 1Pe.1:7, 2Pe.1:17, Rev.4:9, 11 5:12-13 7:12 21:26; τ. καὶ κράτος, 1Ti.6:16; εἰς τ., Rom.9:21, 2Ti.2:20-21; ἐν τ., Col.2:23; 1Th.4:4; by meton., of marks of honour, Act.28:10.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 41 NT verses. KJV: honour, precious, price, some See also: 1 Corinthians 6:20; Acts 28:10; 1 Peter 1:7.

ηγορασθητε agorazō G59 "to buy" Verb-API-2P

To buy or purchase something, often used to describe redemption, as in Matthew 13:44 and Revelation 3:18, where it refers to buying back or redeeming something.

Definition: ἀγοράζω (ἀγορά), [in LXX chiefly for שׁבר, קנה ;] __1. to frequent the ἀγορά (Hdt., al.). __2. to buy in the market, purchase (Xen., al.; LXX; in π. very common in deeds of sale, see MM, VGT, see word): absol., Mat.21:12, Mrk.11:15; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.13:44, 46, al.; before παρά, with genitive of person(s), Rev.3:18 (LXX, Polyb.); ἐκ, Mat.27:7; with genitive pret., Mrk.6:37, al.; metaphorically, 1Co.6:20 7:23, 2Pe.2:1, Rev.5:9 14:3, 4. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 31 NT verses. KJV: buy, redeem See also: 1 Corinthians 6:20; Mark 11:15; Revelation 3:18.

μη mē G3361 "not" Particle-N

Not is a word used to show that something is not true or is not happening, like in phrases that say 'lest' or 'God forbid', as seen in various parts of the New Testament.

Definition: μή, subjective negative particle, used where the negation depends on a condition or hypothesis, expressed or understood, as distinct from οὐ, which denies absolutely. μή is used where one thinks a thing is not, as distinct from an absolute negation. As a general rule, οὐ negatives the indic, μή the other moods, incl, ptcp. [In LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,אַל ] __I. As a neg. adv., not; __1. with ref. to thought or opinion: Jhn.3:18, Tit.1:11, 2Pe.1:9. __2. In delib. questions, with subjc. (M, Pr., 185): Mrk.12:14, Rom.3:8. __3. In conditional and final sentences, after εἰ, ἐάν, ἄν, ἵνα, ὅπως: Mat.10:14, Mrk.6:11 12:19, Luk.9:5, Jhn.6:50, Rom.11:25, al. __4. C. inf. (see M, Pr., 234f., 239, 255), __(a) after verbs of saying, etc.: Mat.2:12 5:34, Mrk.12:18, Act.15:38, Rom.2:21, al.; __(b) with artic. inf.: after a prep., Mat.13:5, Mrk.4:5, Act.7:19, 1Co.10:6, al.; without a prep., Rom.14:13, 2Co.2:1, 13 1Th 4:6; __(with) in sentences expressing consequence, after ὥστε: Mat.8:28, Mrk.3:20, 1Co.1:7, 2Co.3:7, al. __5. C. ptcp. (see M, Pr., 231f., 239), in hypothetical references to persons of a certain character or description: Mat.10:28 12:30, Luk.6:49, Jhn.3:18, Rom.4:5, 1Co.7:38, 1Jn.3:10, al.; where the person or thing being definite, the denial is a matter of opinion: Jhn.6:64, 1Co.1:28 4:7, 18, 2Co.5:21, al.; where the ptcp. has a concessive, causal or conditional force, if, though, because not: Mat.18:25, Luk.2:45, Jhn.7:49, Act.9:26, Rom.2:14 5:13, 2Co.3:14, Gal.6:9, Ju 5; where the ptcp. has a descriptive force (being such as), not: Act.9:9, Rom.1:28, 1Co.10:33, Gal.4:8, Heb.12:27, al. __6. μή prohibitive, in indep. sentences, __(a) with subjc. praes., 1 of person(s) pl.: Gal.5:26 6:9, 1Th.5:6, 1Jn.3:18; __(b) with imperat. praes., usually where one is bidden to desist from what has already begun (cf. M, Pr., 122ff.): Mat.7:1, Mrk.5:36, Luk.6:30, Jhn.2:16 5:45, Act.10:15, Rom.11:18, Jas.2:1, Rev.5:5, al.; __(with) forbidding that which is still future: with imperat. aor., 3 of person(s), Mat.24:18, Mrk.13:15, Luk.17:31, al.; with subjc. aor., 2 of person(s), Mat.3:9 10:26, Mrk.5:7, Luk.6:29, Jhn.3:7, Rom.10:6, al.; __(d) with optative, in wishes: 2Ti.4:16 (LXX); μὴ γένοιτο (see M, Pr., 194; Bl., §66, 1), Luk.20:16, Rom.3:3, al.; μή τις, Mrk.13:5, al. __II. As a conj., __1. after verbs of fearing, caution, etc., that, lest, perhaps (M, Pr., 192f.): with subjc. praes., Heb.12:15; with subjc. aor., Mat.24:4, Mrk.13:5, Luk.21:8, Act.13:40, Gal.5:15, al.; ὅρα μή (see M, Pr., 124, 178), elliptically, Rev.19:10 22:9; with indic, fut. (M, Pr., l.with), Col.2:8. __2. in order that not: with subjc. aor., Mrk.13:36, 2Co.8:20 12:6. __III. Interrogative, in hesitant questions (M, Pr., 170), or where a negative answer is expected: Mat.7:9, 10, Mrk.2:19, Jhn.3:4, Rom.3:3 10:18, 19, 1Co.1:13, al.; μή τις, Luk.22:35, al.; before οὐ (Rom.10:17, al. in Pl.), expecting an affirm, ans.; οὐ μή, Luk.18:7, Jhn.18:11. __IV. οὐ μή as emphatic negation (cf. M, Pr., 188, 190ff.; Bl. §64, 5), not at all, by no means: with indic, fut., Mat.16:22, Jhn.6:35, Heb.10:17, al.; with subjc. aor., Mat.24:2, Mrk.13:2, Luk.6:37, Jhn.13:8, 1Co.8:13, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 910 NT verses. KJV: 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 See also: 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Peter 2:16; 1 Peter 1:8.

γινεσθε ginomai G1096 "to be" Verb-PNM-2P

A versatile word meaning to be, become, or come into being, used in John 1:15 and 1 Corinthians 15:37.

Definition: γίνομαι, Ion. and κοινή for Att. γίγν- (M. Pr., 47; Bl., §6, 8 Mayser, 166 f.), [in LXX chiefly for היה ;] __1. of persons, things occurrences, to come into being, be born, arise, come on: Jhn.1:15 8:58, 1Co.15:37; a first appearance in public, Mrk.1:4, Jhn.1:6, al.; before ἐκ (of birth), Rom.1:3, Gal.4:4; διά, Jhn.1:3; βροντή, Jhn.12:29; σεισμός, Rev.6:12; γογγυσμός, Act.6:1; χαρά, Act.8:8, many other similar exx.; ἡμέρα, Luk.22:66, al.; ὀψέ, Mrk.11:19; πρωΐα, Mat.27:1; νύξ, Act.27:27. __2. Of events, to come to pass, take place, happen: Mat.5:18, Mrk.5:14, Luk.1:20 2:15, Act.4:21, 2Ti.2:18, al.; μὴ γένοιτο [LXX for חָלִילָה, Jhn.22:29, al.], far be it, God forbid: Rom.3:4 (ICC, in l.), 1Co.6:15 and frequently in Pl.; καὶ ἐγένετο, ἐγένετο δέ ([in LXX for וַיְהִי ;] see Burton, 142 f.; M, Pr., 16f.; Dalman, Words, 32 f.; Robertson, Gr., 1042 f.), with indic, Mat.7:28, Luk.1:8, al.; before καί and indic., Luk.8:1, Act.5:7, al.; with accusative and inf., Mrk.2:23, Luk.3:21, al.; ὡς δὲ ἐγένετο, before τοῦ with inf., Act.10:25; with dative of person(s), to befall one: with inf., Act.20:16; with accusative and inf., Act.22:6; with adv., εὖ, Eph.6:3; τ́ ἐγένετο αὐτῷ (Field, Notes, 115), Act.7:40 (LXX); before εἰς, Act.28:6. __3. to be made, done, performed, observed, enacted, ordained, etc.: Mat.6:10 19:8, Mrk.2:27 11:23, Act.19:26, al.; before διά with genitive, Mrk.6:2, Act.2:43; ὑπό, Luk.13:17; ἐκ, Luk.4:23; ἐν, 1Co.9:15; ἀπογραφή, Luk.2:2; ἀνάκρισις Act.25:26; ἄφεσις, Heb.9:22; ὁ νόμος, Gal.3:17; τὸ πάσχα, Mat.26:2. __4. to become, be made, come to be: with pred., Mat.4:3, Luk.4:3, Jhn.2:9, 1Co.13:11, al.; before ὡς, ὡσεί, Mat.10:25, Mrk.9:26; εἰς (M, Pr., 71f.), Mrk.12:1o, al.; with genitive Rev.11:15; id., of age, Luk.2:42; with dative, γ. ἀνδρί ([LXX for הָיָה לְאִישׁ, Rut.1:12, al. ;] see Field, Notes, 156), Rom.7:3, 4; before ἐν, Act.22:17, Rev.1:10, al.; ἐπάνω, Luk.19:19; μετά, with genitive, Mrk.16:[10], Act.9:19; before εἰς, ἐπί (Field, Notes, 135), κατά (ib., 62), with accusative of place, Act.20:16 21:35 27:7, al.; before ἐκ, Mrk.9:7, Luk.3:22, 2Th.2:7, al. Aoristic pf. γέγονα (M, Pr., 52, 145f.; Field, Notes, 1f.), Mat.25:6, Luk.10:36, al. Aor. ἐγενήθη (for ἐγένετο, M, Pr., 139f.; Mayser, 379), Mat.11:23, al. (Cf. απο-, δια-, επι-, παρα-, συμ-, παρα-, προ-.) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 637 NT verses. KJV: 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 See also: 1 Corinthians 1:30; Acts 5:5; 1 Peter 1:15.

δουλοι doulos G1401 "slave" Noun-NPM

This word also means a slave or servant, like in Romans 6:19 and Luke 1:38. It describes someone who is subject to another person or is in a state of subjection. This concept is about being under someone's control.

Definition: δοῦλος, -η, -ον, [in LXX, ὁ δ. nearly always for עֶבֶד; ὁ δ. chiefly for שִׁפְחָה ,אָמָה ;] __1. in bondage to, subject to: Rom.6:19. __2. As subst., ὁ, ἡ δ., a slave; __(a) fem., ἡ δ., a female slave, bondmaid (Cremer, 702; DB, iii, 215): Luk.1:38, 48 Act.2:18" (LXX) ; __(b) masc., ὁ δ., a slave, bond-man: Mat.8:9 18:23, al.; opposite to ἐλεύθερος, 1Co.7:22 12:13, Gal.3:28, Eph.6:8, Col.3:11, Rev.6:15 13:16 19:18; opposite to κύριος, δεσπότης, οἰκοδεσπότης, Mat.10:24 13:27, 28 Luk.12:46, Jhn.15:15, Eph.6:5, Col.3:22 4:1, al.; metaphorically, δ. Χριστοῦ, τοῦ Χρ., Ἰησοῦ Χρ., Rom.1:1, 1Co.7:22, Gal.1:10, Eph.6:6, Php.1:1, Col.4:12, Jas.1:1, 2Pe.1:1, Ju 1; δ. τ. θεοῦ, τ. κυρίου, Act.16:17, 2Ti.2:24, Tit.1:1, 1Pe.2:16, Rev.7:3 15:3; δ. πονηρός, ἀχρεῖος, κακός, Mat.18:32 24:48 25:26, 30, Luk.17:10 19:22; δ. ἁμαρτίας, Jhn.8:34, Rom.6:17, 20; τ. φθορᾶς, 2Pe.2:19. SYN.: διάκονος (q.V.), θεράπων, ὐπηρέτης (see DB, iii, 377; iv, 461, 469; DCG, i, 221; ii, 613; Cremer, 215, 702). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 119 NT verses. KJV: bond(-man), servant See also: 1 Corinthians 7:21; Luke 20:11; 1 Peter 2:16.

ανθρωπων anthrōpos G444 "a human" Noun-GPM

This word means a human being, and is used in the Bible to describe people, like in John 16:21 and Romans 7:1.

Definition: ἄνθρωπος, -ου, ὁ, [in LXX chiefly for אִישׁ ,אָדָם, also for אֱנוֹשׁ, etc. ;] man: __1. generically, a human being, male or female (Lat. homo): Jhn.16:21; with art., Mat.4:4 12:35, Mrk.2:27, Jhn.2:25, Rom.7:1, al; disting. from God, Mat.19:6, Jhn.10:33, Col.3:23, al.; from animals, etc., Mat.4:19, Luk.5:10, Rev.9:4, al.; implying human frailty and imperfection, 1Co.3:4; σοφία ἀνθρώπων, 1Co.2:5; ἀνθρώπων ἐπιθυμίαι, 1Pe.4:2; κατὰ ἄνθρωπον περιπατεῖν, 1Co.3:3; κατὰ ἄ. λέγειν (λαλεῖν), Rom.3:5, 1Co.9:8; κατὰ ἄ- λέγειν, Gal.3:15 (cf. 1Co.15:32, Gal.1:11); by meton., of man's nature or condition, ὁ ἔσω (ἔξω) ἄ., Rom.7:22, Eph.3:16, 2Co.4:16 (cf. 1Pe.3:4); ὁ παλαιὸς, καινὸς, νέος ἄ., Rom.6:6, Eph.2:15 4:22, 24 Col.3:9, 10; joined with another subst., ἄ. ἔμπορος, a merchant, Mat.13:45 (WH, txt. om. ἄ.); οἰκοδεσπότης, Mat.13:52; βασιλεύς, 18:23; φάγος, 11:19; with name of nation, Κυρηναῖος, Mat.27:32; Ἰουδαῖος, Act.21:39; Ῥωμαῖος, Act.16:37; pl. οἱ ἄ., men, people: Mat.5:13, 16 Mrk.8:24, Jhn.4:28; οὐδεὶς ἀνθρώπων, Mrk.11:2, 1Ti.6:16. __2. Indef., ἄ. = τις, some one, a man: Mat.17:14, Mrk.12:1, al.; τις ἄ., Mat.18:12, Jhn.5:5, al.; indef. one (Fr. on), Rom.3:28, Gal.2:16, al.; opposite to women, servants, etc., Mat.10:36 19:10, Jhn.7:22, 23. __3. Definitely, with art., of some particular person; Mat.12:13, Mrk.3:5, al.; οὗτος ὁ ἄ., Luk.14:30; ὁ ἄ οὗτος, ἐκεῖνος, Mrk.14:71, Mat.12:45; ὁ ἄ. τ. ἀνομίας, 2Th.2:3; ἄ τ. θεοῦ (of Heb. אִישׁ אֱלֹהִים), 1Ti.6:11, 2Ti.3:17, 2Pe.1:21; ὁ υἰὸς τοῦ ἀ., see: υἱός. SYN.: ἀνήρ, which see (and cf. MM, VGT, 44; Cremer, 103, 635). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 503 NT verses. KJV: certain, man See also: 1 Corinthians 1:25; Acts 22:25; 1 Peter 1:24.

Study Notes — 1 Corinthians 7:23

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
1 Corinthians 7:23 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 7:23
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 7:23
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:23
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:23
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:23
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:23
Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 7:23
Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 7:23
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:23
Sermons on 1 Corinthians 7:23

Context — Live Your Calling

21Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it concern you—but if you can gain your freedom, take the opportunity. 22For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman. Conversely, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave.

23You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.

24Brothers, each one should remain in the situation he was in when God called him. 25Now about virgins, I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	1 Corinthians 6:20	you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.
2	1 Peter 1:18–19	For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.
3	Titus 2:14	He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
4	Leviticus 25:42	Because the Israelites are My servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt, they are not to be sold as slaves.
5	Revelation 5:9	And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
6	Acts 20:28	Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.
7	1 Peter 3:18	For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit,
8	Galatians 2:4	This issue arose because some false brothers had come in under false pretenses to spy on our freedom in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us.
9	Matthew 23:8–11	But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth your father, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant.

1 Corinthians 7:23 Summary

[This verse reminds us that we belong to God, and He has paid a great price to set us free from sin and its consequences, as seen in John 8:36. We should not let other people or things control our lives, but instead live for God's pleasure and glory. By remembering that we were 'bought at a price', we can find the strength and courage to live according to God's will, rather than being driven by the opinions and expectations of others (Romans 12:2).]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to be 'bought at a price' in 1 Corinthians 7:23?

This phrase refers to the fact that believers have been redeemed by Jesus Christ, who paid the price for our sins with His own blood, as seen in Acts 20:28 and 1 Peter 1:18-19. This price was the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

Why should we not become slaves of men according to 1 Corinthians 7:23?

We should not become slaves of men because our ultimate allegiance and obedience belong to God, as stated in Galatians 1:10 and Romans 6:16-18. By submitting to men, we may be led away from God's will and purposes for our lives.

How does this verse relate to our daily lives and relationships?

This verse reminds us that our primary identity and loyalty are to God, and we should not allow human relationships or expectations to dominate our lives, as seen in 2 Corinthians 5:9 and Colossians 3:23-24. We are called to live for God's pleasure and glory, not to seek the approval of men.

Is this verse saying that we should never submit to authority or leadership?

No, this verse is not saying that we should never submit to authority or leadership, as seen in Romans 13:1-7 and Hebrews 13:17. However, our submission to human authority should always be secondary to our submission to God's authority and will for our lives.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways in which I may be unknowingly becoming a 'slave of men' in my own life, and how can I break free from these patterns?
How does the fact that I was 'bought at a price' affect my sense of identity and purpose, and what implications does this have for my daily choices and decisions?
In what ways can I practically live out my freedom in Christ, without becoming entangled in the expectations and demands of others?
What are some areas of my life where I need to re-establish my allegiance and obedience to God, rather than to men or human institutions?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 7:23

Ye are bought with a price,.... Some read these words interrogatively, as 1 Corinthians 7:18, "are ye bought with a price?" and suppose them directed to such who had bought out their time of

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 7:23

Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. Be (become) not ye.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:23

What price we are bought with, we heard, : the apostle there pressed it upon us as our duty to glorify God with our bodies and our spirits; here he presseth upon us another duty, viz. upon that consideration not to be the servants of men; by which some think he forbiddeth the selling themselves as slaves to infidels; others think that he only forbiddeth eye-service, as the apostle calls it, ; while in the mean time they might be the servants of men, if they served them as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men. But the most probable interpretation is: Be not servants to the lusts of men: wherein you can serve men, and in the same actions also serve God, and be obedient to his will, you may be the servants of men; but be not servants of men in such actions wherein, to serve them, you must disobey God.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:23

23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. Ver. 23. Ye are bought with a price] The redeemed among the Romans were to addict themselves to the service of their redeemers, and to observe them as their parents all days of their lives. Be not ye the servants of men] When they command you things forbidden by Christ, or when they would tyrannize over your consciences, as the Jesuits, that require blind obedience. Cardinal Tolet saith, The people may merit at God’ s hand in believing a heresy, if their teacher propound it; for their obedience is meritorious. (Cases of Conscience.) If a priest teach it (saith Stapleton), be it true, be it false, take it as God’ s oracle. If the Church should approve and authorize Arianism or Pelagianism, saith Erasmus (Epist. ad Firkeimer), I would do so too. But so would no wise man.

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:23

(23) Ye are bought with a price . . .—Better, You were bought with a price therefore become not slaves of men. This carries on the idea of freedmen of the previous verse. With a great price—even the blood of Christ—they have been purchased by Him as freedmen: therefore, do not become slaves of men—do not yield to their views by seeking to change the condition of your calling.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:23

Verse 23. Ye are bought with a price] As truly as your bodies have become the property of your masters, in consequence of his paying down a price for you; so sure you are now the Lord's property, in consequence of your being purchased by the blood of Christ. Some render this verse interrogatively: Are ye bought with a price from your slavery? Do not again become slaves of men. Never sell yourselves; prefer and retain your liberty now that ye have acquired it. In these verses the apostle shows that the Christian religion does not abolish our civil connections; in reference to them, where it finds us, there it leaves us. In whatever relation we stood before our embracing Christianity, there we stand still; our secular condition being no farther changed than as it may be affected by the amelioration of our moral character. But slavery, and all buying and selling of the bodies and souls of men, no matter what colour or complexion, is a high offence against the holy and just God, and a gross and unprincipled attack on the liberty and rights of our fellow creatures.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 7:23

23. be not ye the servants of men] Literally, slaves of men. Let your minds and spirits be free, whatever may be your outward condition, i.e. be indifferent to mere external relations altogether, for though man may enslave the body he cannot enslave the soul.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 7:23

Ye are bought with a price - Though you are slaves to people, yet you have been purchased for God by the blood of His Son; see the note at 1 Corinthians 6:20.

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:23

23. Bought—Carrying out the metaphor of the slave; but it is still used to show that, as purchased by Christ, they are wrongfully bought and sold and owned by men. Be not ye—By any consent of your own.

Sermons on 1 Corinthians 7:23

	Sermon	Description
	Be a Man (At Home and at Church) by Paul Washer	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of bringing every aspect of our lives under the lordship of Christ. He highlights the need to bring our thought life, eyes, e
	Central Baptist Church by Paul Washer	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of bringing every aspect of our lives under the lordship of Christ. He highlights the need to bring our thought life, eyes, e
	Israel's Communication by Charles Anderson	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the challenges faced by the Israelites during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. He emphasizes that the Israelites were not skille
	Proposals for Reform Ii by Martin Luther	Martin Luther delivers a sermon proposing reforms within the Church, addressing issues such as the abuse of power by prelates, the commercialization of religious practices like mas
	The Quiet and Easy Passage of Christ's Purchased People Through Death to Glory. by John Gill	John Gill preaches about the quiet and easy passage of Christ's purchased people through death to glory, drawing parallels between the Israelites' crossing of the Red Sea and the b
	(A Spiritual Leader) 2. Knowing God by Zac Poonen	Zac Poonen preaches about the importance of spiritual leaders knowing God personally in order to lead others along God's ways. He contrasts preachers who speak smooth words to plea
	'Eyes Right' by C.H. Spurgeon	The sermon transcript is a message from C.H. Spurgeon delivered at the Metropolitan Tabernacle. The main theme is the importance of having a clear and focused purpose in life. Spur