1 Corinthians 7:23
Verse
Context
Live Your Calling
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.
Sermons
Paul WasherPaul Washer
Charles Anderson
Zac Poonen
Martin LutherSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
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 color or complexion, is a high offense against the holy and just God, and a gross and unprincipled attack on the liberty and rights of our fellow creatures.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
be not ye--Greek, "become not ye." Paul here changes from "thou" (Co1 7:21) to "ye." YE ALL are "bought" with the blood of Christ, whatever be your earthly state (Co1 6:20). "Become not servants to men," either externally, or spiritually; the former sense applying to the free alone: the latter to Christian freemen and slaves alike, that they should not be servile adherents to their party leaders at Corinth (Co1 3:21-22; Mat 23:8-10; Co2 11:20); nor indeed slaves to men generally, so far as their condition admits. The external and internal conditions, so far as is attainable, should correspond, and the former be subservient to the latter (compare Co1 7:21, Co1 7:32-35).
John Gill Bible Commentary
Ye are bought with a price,.... Some read these words interrogatively, as Co1 7:18, "are ye bought with a price?" and suppose them directed to such who had bought out their time of servitude with a sum of money, and ought not to return to their former condition; but they are rather to be read affirmatively, and to be understood of all, whether freemen or servants, that are bought with the inestimable price of Christ's blood, as in Co1 6:20 and contain in them a reason why such as are called by the grace of God, whilst in a state of civil servitude, are Christ's freemen, because they are redeemed by him from sin, Satan, the law, and from among men; and also why such as are called by the grace of God, being in a state of civil liberty, are Christ's servants, because he has purchased them with his blood, and therefore has a right unto them, both to their persons and service: be not ye the servants of men: not that the apostle dissuades such as are redeemed by Christ, and are believers in him, from being the servants of men in a civil sense; for this would be to contradict himself, who here and elsewhere exhorts servants to continue in the service of their masters, and to perform it heartily and cheerfully, and with great sincerity and integrity; but his meaning is, that since they were redeemed from a vain conversation by the blood of Christ, they should not be servants to the lusts of men, nor obey them in things sinful and wicked, which were contrary to law and Gospel, and which were made unlawful by the word of God, and were a breach of the command of their Lord and master Christ; nor should they in matters of religion and the worship of God submit to the authority of any set of men whatever, or be subject to the doctrines and commandments of men; whether these relate to Jewish ceremonies, or Gentile superstitions, or be a mixture of both: they were to call no man master upon earth; nor suffer any to lord it over them, as the false teachers very much did in this church; but to acknowledge Christ, who had bought them to be their only Lord and master. The allusion seems to he to a tradition of the Jews, that the Israelites being redeemed out of Egypt were the servants of God, and not of men (p); "R. Jochanan ben Zaccai was explaining this Scripture, Exo 21:6 how different the ear is from all the members of the body; says the holy blessed God, the ear that heard my voice on Mount Sinai, at the time I said, the children of Israel are my servants, , and "not servants to servants"; and this goes and gets itself a master, let it be bored: R. Simeon ben Ribbi was explaining the same Scripture, how different the door and the door post were from all the parts of the house; says the holy blessed God, the door and the door post, which were witnesses in Egypt, at the time that I passed by the threshold, and by the two door posts, and I said, the children of Israel are my servants, and not servants to servants, and I brought them out of bondage to liberty; and this goes and gets itself a master, let it be bored before them.'' (p) T. Bab. Kiddushin, fol. 22. 2.
1 Corinthians 7:23
Live Your Calling
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.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Be a Man (At Home and at Church)
By Paul Washer13K51:53ManhoodPSA 119:11PSA 119:105ROM 8:281CO 7:23COL 3:172TI 3:16In 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, ears, heart, hands, and feet into subjection to the law of Christ. The preacher challenges the audience to consider how different their lives would be if everything they did was in accordance with Scripture. He also addresses the issue of training boys to become men and encourages fathers to take responsibility in raising their sons. The sermon concludes with a comparison between hiring an employee and being a pastor, emphasizing the importance of productivity and work ethic in serving God.
Central Baptist Church
By Paul Washer3.7K51:53SalvationPSA 119:11PSA 119:105ROM 8:281CO 7:23COL 3:172TI 3:16In 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, ears, heart, hands, and feet into subjection to the law of Christ. The preacher challenges the audience to consider how different their lives would be if everything they did was in accordance with Scripture. He also addresses the issue of training boys to become men and encourages fathers to take responsibility in raising their sons. The sermon concludes with a comparison between hiring an employee and being a pastor, emphasizing the importance of productivity and work ethic in serving God.
Israel's Communication
By Charles Anderson1.3K45:54IsraelEXO 19:4LEV 23:2NUM 10:2NUM 10:81CO 6:191CO 7:23HEB 10:25In 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 skilled warriors and were vulnerable to attacks from marauding tribes. Despite their weaknesses, the speaker highlights that the Israelites had a constant reminder of their pilgrim status and were not allowed to settle down along the way. The speaker also shares personal experiences and expresses gratitude for God's grace and support in difficult times.
(A Spiritual Leader) 2. Knowing God
By Zac Poonen0DAN 11:32JHN 17:31CO 7:23PHP 3:8Zac 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 please people with those who know God, give insight, and do great exploits for Him. Poonen emphasizes the need for leaders to break free from imitating Western trends and to have a personal knowledge of God's thoughts and ways, rather than just repeating popular teachings. He challenges Christians to seek a personal relationship with God, as true spiritual authority can only come through knowing Him intimately.
Proposals for Reform Ii
By Martin Luther0MAT 6:7MAT 15:11MAT 18:19MAT 23:131CO 7:231CO 10:25EPH 4:42TH 2:112TH 3:10Martin 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 masses and indulgences, the tyranny of the papacy, and the need for unity with the Bohemians. Luther advocates for confession of secret sins to any brother or sister, the abolition of unnecessary festivals and pilgrimages, and the rejection of papal authority in favor of a more humble and loving approach to faith. He emphasizes the importance of truth, unity, and simplicity in Christian practice, urging for a return to the core teachings of the Gospel.
The Quiet and Easy Passage of Christ's Purchased People Through Death to Glory.
By John Gill0DeathRedemptionEXO 15:16PSA 23:4ISA 35:101CO 7:232CO 4:18EPH 1:142TI 1:12HEB 9:271PE 1:13REV 5:9John 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 believer's journey through death. He emphasizes that Christ has redeemed a distinct people, who will safely navigate the river of death, aided by God's almighty power. Gill reassures that this passage is generally peaceful, as spiritual enemies are silenced, and believers can trust in God's promises for eternal life. He highlights the importance of faith in Christ, who leads His people to their eternal inheritance, ensuring that none will be lost. The sermon encourages believers to face death with hope and assurance, knowing they are under the care of their Redeemer.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
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 color or complexion, is a high offense against the holy and just God, and a gross and unprincipled attack on the liberty and rights of our fellow creatures.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
be not ye--Greek, "become not ye." Paul here changes from "thou" (Co1 7:21) to "ye." YE ALL are "bought" with the blood of Christ, whatever be your earthly state (Co1 6:20). "Become not servants to men," either externally, or spiritually; the former sense applying to the free alone: the latter to Christian freemen and slaves alike, that they should not be servile adherents to their party leaders at Corinth (Co1 3:21-22; Mat 23:8-10; Co2 11:20); nor indeed slaves to men generally, so far as their condition admits. The external and internal conditions, so far as is attainable, should correspond, and the former be subservient to the latter (compare Co1 7:21, Co1 7:32-35).
John Gill Bible Commentary
Ye are bought with a price,.... Some read these words interrogatively, as Co1 7:18, "are ye bought with a price?" and suppose them directed to such who had bought out their time of servitude with a sum of money, and ought not to return to their former condition; but they are rather to be read affirmatively, and to be understood of all, whether freemen or servants, that are bought with the inestimable price of Christ's blood, as in Co1 6:20 and contain in them a reason why such as are called by the grace of God, whilst in a state of civil servitude, are Christ's freemen, because they are redeemed by him from sin, Satan, the law, and from among men; and also why such as are called by the grace of God, being in a state of civil liberty, are Christ's servants, because he has purchased them with his blood, and therefore has a right unto them, both to their persons and service: be not ye the servants of men: not that the apostle dissuades such as are redeemed by Christ, and are believers in him, from being the servants of men in a civil sense; for this would be to contradict himself, who here and elsewhere exhorts servants to continue in the service of their masters, and to perform it heartily and cheerfully, and with great sincerity and integrity; but his meaning is, that since they were redeemed from a vain conversation by the blood of Christ, they should not be servants to the lusts of men, nor obey them in things sinful and wicked, which were contrary to law and Gospel, and which were made unlawful by the word of God, and were a breach of the command of their Lord and master Christ; nor should they in matters of religion and the worship of God submit to the authority of any set of men whatever, or be subject to the doctrines and commandments of men; whether these relate to Jewish ceremonies, or Gentile superstitions, or be a mixture of both: they were to call no man master upon earth; nor suffer any to lord it over them, as the false teachers very much did in this church; but to acknowledge Christ, who had bought them to be their only Lord and master. The allusion seems to he to a tradition of the Jews, that the Israelites being redeemed out of Egypt were the servants of God, and not of men (p); "R. Jochanan ben Zaccai was explaining this Scripture, Exo 21:6 how different the ear is from all the members of the body; says the holy blessed God, the ear that heard my voice on Mount Sinai, at the time I said, the children of Israel are my servants, , and "not servants to servants"; and this goes and gets itself a master, let it be bored: R. Simeon ben Ribbi was explaining the same Scripture, how different the door and the door post were from all the parts of the house; says the holy blessed God, the door and the door post, which were witnesses in Egypt, at the time that I passed by the threshold, and by the two door posts, and I said, the children of Israel are my servants, and not servants to servants, and I brought them out of bondage to liberty; and this goes and gets itself a master, let it be bored before them.'' (p) T. Bab. Kiddushin, fol. 22. 2.