1 Corinthians 7:20

Let each man stay in that calling in which he was called.

World English Bible
Learn

Your notes

Private to you. Anything you write on this verse, here or while reading, shows up here and in My study.

Other translations

WEBBE

Let each man stay in that calling in which he was called.

BSB

Each one should remain in the situation he was in when he was called.

KJV

Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.

ASV

Let each man abide in that calling wherein he was called.

Original Greek

Look up a word

Tap a word to see what it means and everywhere else it's used.

ἕκαστος hekastos Each G1538 ἐν en in G1722 τῇ tēa the G3588 κλήσει klēsei calling G2821 ᾗ hē in which G3739 ἐκλήθη eklēthē he has been called G2564 ἐν en in G1722 ταύτῃ tautē this G3778 μενέτω menetō he should abide G3306

The early church

"Only as God hath distributed to each man, as the Lord hath called each, so let him walk. Was any one called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Was any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandments of God. Let each man abide in that calling wherein he was called. Wast thou called, being a slave? Care not for it." These things contribute nothing unto faith, saith he. Be not then contentious neither be troubled; for the faith hath cast out all these things. "Let each man abide in that calling wherein he was called. Hast thou been called, having an unbelieving wife? Continue to have her. Cast not out thy wife for the faith's sake. Hast thou been called, being a slave? Care not for it. Continue to be a slave. Hast thou been called, being in uncircumcision? Remain uncircumcised. Being circumcised, didst thou become a believer? Continue circumcised. For this is the meaning of, "As God hath distributed unto each man." For these are no hindrances to piety. Thou art called, being a slave; another, with an unbelieving wife; another, being circumcised.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on 1 Corinthians

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 17–24

The rules of Christianity reach every condition; and in every state a man may live so as to be a credit to it. It is the duty of every Christian to be content with his lot, and to conduct himself in his rank and place as becomes a Christian. Our comfort and happiness depend on what we are to Christ, not what we are in the world. No man should think to make his faith or religion, an argument to break through any natural or civil obligations. He should quietly and contentedly abide in the condition in which he is placed by Divine Providence.

Read Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 7 →

Cross-references

7

Topics

CharacterContentmentStability

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.