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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 covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Heb. 13:5)

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Servant

Cross References

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being.
1 Cor. 12:13• 13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Cor. 12:13)
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Gal. 3:28• 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal. 3:28)
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Col. 3:11• 11Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. (Col. 3:11)
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1 Tim. 6:1‑3• 1Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
 2And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
 3If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; (1 Tim. 6:1‑3)
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1 Peter 2:18‑24• 18Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
 19For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
 20For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
 21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
 22Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
 23Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
 24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were 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• 40But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
 41And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: (Luke 10:40‑41)
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Luke 12:29• 29And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. (Luke 12:29)
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Luke 12•  (Luke 12)
:*marg:;
Luke 21:34• 34And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. (Luke 21:34)
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Phil. 4:6,11• 6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
 11Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. (Phil. 4:6,11)
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Heb. 13:5• 5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Heb. 13:5)
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1 Peter 5:7• 7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for 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.