1 Corinthians 7:23

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Ye are bought {G59} with a price {G5092}; be {G1096} not {G3361} ye {G1096} the servants {G1401} of men {G444}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You were bought at a price, so do not become slaves of other human beings.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Corinthians 7:23 presents a foundational truth for Christian identity and conduct, declaring that believers have been purchased at an immense cost and, consequently, are called to live free from the ultimate enslavement to human systems or opinions. This verse encapsulates the profound reality of redemption in Christ and serves as a guiding principle for how believers should navigate their earthly statuses and allegiances, emphasizing their divine ownership and spiritual liberty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a larger discussion in [1 Corinthians 7](/1_corinthians/7 "1 Corinthians 7 - Instructions on Marriage and Christian Liberty") where Paul addresses various practical questions concerning marriage, singleness, and social status within the Corinthian church. Paul's advice throughout the chapter encourages believers to remain in the state in which they were called, whether married, single, circumcised, uncircumcised, slave, or free. He emphasizes that one's external social standing does not diminish or define their spiritual identity in Christ. Verse 23, "Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men," functions as a theological anchor for all these specific instructions, providing the ultimate rationale for Christian freedom and allegiance regardless of one's earthly circumstances. It undergirds Paul's counsel for both slaves and free individuals in [1 Corinthians 7:21-22](/1_corinthians/7-21-22 "1 Corinthians 7:21-22 - Freedom in Christ for Slaves and Free"), asserting that all believers share a common, profound spiritual reality of redemption that transcends their temporal conditions.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the Greco-Roman world of Corinth, slavery was a widespread and accepted institution, with a significant portion of the population being enslaved. Slaves were considered property, with no legal rights and often subjected to the will of their masters. Paul's audience would have included both slave owners and enslaved individuals. The concept of "being bought" (agorázō) would immediately evoke the imagery of the slave market, where individuals were purchased. Furthermore, the idea of "servants of men" (doûloi anthrōpōn) would resonate deeply, as it described the daily reality for many and the pervasive societal pressures for all. Paul's instruction, therefore, directly confronts the prevailing social structures and mindsets, reorienting believers' primary allegiance from human masters or societal expectations to their divine Redeemer. This radical redefinition of identity and ownership would have been counter-cultural and profoundly liberating for the enslaved, while also challenging the free to live in a manner consistent with their ultimate liberation in Christ, rather than being enslaved by worldly ambitions or human approval.

* **Key Themes:** The verse significantly contributes to several major theological themes within 1 Corinthians and the broader New Testament. Foremost is the theme of **Redemption and Divine Ownership**. The declaration "Ye are bought with a price" directly points to the atoning work of Christ, through which believers are purchased from the dominion of sin and death, becoming God's exclusive possession. This theme is powerfully echoed in [1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19-20 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit"), where Paul states, "ye are not your own... for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." Flowing from this is the theme of **Spiritual Freedom**. Because believers are owned by God through Christ's redemptive act, they are liberated from ultimate subservience to any human authority, worldly system, or sinful desire that would compromise their devotion to God. This freedom, however, is not a license for lawlessness but an empowerment for true service to Christ. Finally, the command "be not ye the servants of men" highlights the theme of **Primary Allegiance to Christ**. It calls believers to prioritize their loyalty to God above all human masters, opinions, cultural pressures, or personal ambitions that might detract from their ultimate devotion, urging them to live as those whose true Master is Christ, as illustrated in [Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - No One Can Serve Two Masters").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **bought (Greek, _agorázō'_):** This verb literally means "to buy in the marketplace." In the context of ancient society, it frequently referred to the purchase of slaves. However, when applied to believers, it signifies a purchase not for continued enslavement but for liberation and transfer of ownership. The transaction implies a cost, and the result is a new master—God Himself—who purchases His people out of bondage to sin and death.
* **price (Greek, _timḗ'_):** This noun denotes "value," "honor," or "money paid." Here, it specifically refers to the cost of the purchase. In a theological sense, the "price" for the believer's redemption is understood throughout the New Testament to be the precious blood and sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, as highlighted in [1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed with the Precious Blood of Christ"). The use of this word emphasizes the immense and non-negotiable cost of salvation, underscoring the value God places on humanity.
* **servants (Greek, _doûlos'_):** This term means "slave" or "bondservant," denoting a state of complete subservience or subjection, whether voluntary or involuntary. When Paul commands "be not ye the servants of men," he is not necessarily forbidding all forms of social or economic service to others. Rather, he is prohibiting a state of ultimate spiritual or moral enslavement to human will, opinion, or system (ánthrōpos) that would compromise one's allegiance to Christ. The negation particle `mḗ` (not) expresses a qualified prohibition, implying a choice or a potential for such servitude that believers must actively resist.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Ye are bought with a price":** This declarative statement establishes the fundamental theological truth of the believer's redeemed status. It asserts that Christians are not self-owned or self-made, but have been acquired through a costly transaction. This phrase highlights the divine initiative in salvation and the immense value placed upon those who are redeemed. It implies a transfer of ownership from a former master (sin, death, the law) to a new, benevolent Master (God through Christ).
* **"be not ye the servants of men.":** This is an imperative command that flows directly from the preceding declaration. Because believers have been bought by God at a great price, they are admonished not to allow themselves to be ultimately enslaved or subjected to human beings, human systems, or human opinions in a way that undermines their primary allegiance to Christ. This does not preclude earthly service or submission to legitimate authorities, but rather forbids any form of servitude that compromises one's spiritual freedom, conscience, or devotion to God.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several powerful **Literary Devices** in this concise verse. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where the act of "being bought with a price" serves as a vivid metaphor for spiritual redemption. This imagery, drawn from the ancient slave market, powerfully conveys the idea of liberation from bondage and transfer of ownership to God. The **Imperative** "be not ye the servants of men" functions as a direct command, underscoring the urgency and non-negotiable nature of this principle. There is also a strong element of **Contrast** implicit in the verse: the contrast between being "bought with a price" by God and being "servants of men." This juxtaposition highlights the radical shift in allegiance and identity that occurs at salvation, emphasizing that one cannot ultimately serve two masters.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The profound truth of 1 Corinthians 7:23, that believers are "bought with a price" and thus should not be "servants of men," resonates deeply with the core of Christian theology. It underscores the concept of substitutionary atonement, where Christ's life and death serve as the ultimate payment for humanity's sin, securing our freedom from spiritual slavery. This redemption establishes a new covenant relationship where believers become God's treasured possession, called to live in a manner consistent with their new ownership. This divine ownership grants a profound spiritual liberty, liberating believers from the fear of man, the pressures of worldly systems, and the bondage of sin, enabling them to live lives of true allegiance and service to Christ alone.

* [1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19-20 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")
* [Galatians 5:1](/galatians/5-1 "Galatians 5:1 - Stand Fast in Christian Liberty")
* [1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed with the Precious Blood of Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
First Corinthians 7:23 offers a timeless and transformative truth for every believer, transcending its original context of literal slavery. It calls us to a radical reorientation of our identity and allegiances. To remember that "Ye are bought with a price" means acknowledging that our worth, purpose, and ultimate belonging are not found in human approval, societal status, or material possessions, but in the immeasurable cost of Christ's sacrifice. This truth liberates us from the anxiety of pleasing others, the pressure to conform to worldly standards, and the fear of failure. Consequently, "be not ye the servants of men" becomes a powerful call to live authentically for Christ, allowing His will and His Word to be the supreme authority in our lives. This means discerning when human expectations or cultural norms contradict divine principles, and choosing to obey God rather than men. It empowers us to use our freedom not for selfish indulgence, but for loving service to God and neighbor, reflecting the very heart of our Redeemer.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I find myself acting as a "servant of men" rather than living in the freedom of Christ?**
* **How does remembering the "price" paid for my redemption (Christ's sacrifice) impact my daily choices and priorities?**
* **What specific worldly pressures or human opinions do I need to release in order to more fully live out my allegiance to Christ?**

### FAQ

**Does "be not ye the servants of men" mean Christians should not have jobs or obey laws?**

Answer: No, the command "be not ye the servants of men" in [1 Corinthians 7:23](/1_corinthians/7-23 "1 Corinthians 7:23 - Bought with a Price") does not mean Christians should avoid employment or disregard civil laws. Paul is not advocating for anarchy or irresponsibility. Instead, he is addressing the ultimate allegiance and spiritual freedom of believers. To be a "servant of men" in this context refers to a spiritual or moral enslavement where one's primary loyalty, conscience, or devotion is compromised by human will, systems, or opinions that contradict God's truth. Christians are called to be good citizens, obey legitimate authorities, and work diligently (as seen in passages like [Romans 13:1-7](/romans/13-1-7 "Romans 13:1-7 - Submission to Governing Authorities") and [Colossians 3:23-24](/colossians/3-23-24 "Colossians 3:23-24 - Work Heartily for the Lord")). However, their ultimate Master is Christ, and they must never allow any human authority or expectation to supersede their obedience to God. If a human command directly conflicts with a divine command, the Christian's allegiance to Christ must take precedence, as exemplified by Peter in [Acts 5:29](/acts/5-29 "Acts 5:29 - We Must Obey God Rather Than Men").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The declaration "Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men" finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. The "price" spoken of is none other than the precious blood of Christ, shed on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice for sin, as testified in [1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed with the Precious Blood of Christ"). Through His atoning death, Jesus purchased humanity out of the spiritual slavery to sin, death, and the law ([Romans 6:17-18](/romans/6-17-18 "Romans 6:17-18 - Freed from Sin")). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), securing our redemption and transferring our ownership from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of His beloved Son ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness")). Therefore, the command "be not ye the servants of men" is a direct consequence of this Christ-wrought liberation. Because Christ has paid the ultimate price to set us free, our lives are no longer our own, nor are we ultimately beholden to human masters or worldly systems that would enslave us. Instead, we are called to be bondservants of Christ ([Romans 1:1](/romans/1-1 "Romans 1:1 - Paul, a Servant of Christ Jesus")), serving Him out of love and gratitude, and living in the glorious freedom He secured for us ([Galatians 5:1](/galatians/5-1 "Galatians 5:1 - Stand Fast in Christian Liberty")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 6:20

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

1 Peter 1:18

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, [as] silver and gold, from your vain conversation [received] by tradition from your fathers;

1 Peter 1:19

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Titus 2:14

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Leviticus 25:42

For they [are] my servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen.

Revelation 5:9

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

Acts 20:28

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.