The first clause can be translated as “If you were a slave when God called, never mind.” Never mind is a colloquial English expression that means “don’t worry” or “don’t be concerned.” This phrase may also be rendered as “don’t let that bother your heart” or “don’t be upset about it.” The same Greek verb with the same meaning is used in Mark 12.14 and parallel Gospel passages, where Good News Bible translates it as “pay no attention.”
The meaning of verse 21b is not clear. The alternatives are given in (1) the Good News Bible text, where “use it” means “use the chance to become free,” and (2) the Good News Bible footnote “but even if you have a chance to become free, choose rather to make the best of your condition as a slave.” For convenience we will call (1) the “freedom translation” and (2) the “slavery translation.” Scholars have long been divided between these two interpretations and still are. Among the modern translations that choose the “freedom translation” in their text are: Good News Bible *, Revised Standard Version, Bijbel in Gewone Taal, Bible en français courant, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, New English Bible *, Revised English Bible *, Jerusalem Bible, Moffatt, Phillips, and Barclay (*indicates that the alternative is given in a footnote). Among the translations that choose the “slavery translation” are: Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, New American Bible, Translator’s New Testament, An American Translation, Bible de Jérusalem, New Jerusalem Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, and New Revised Standard Version. As often in Paul’s letters, a problem like this arises because he leaves so much for the reader to understand; the text is literally “but if you [singular] can become free rather make use of.” The question is, make use of what? Your opportunity to become free, or your present state of slavery?
If the translator chooses the “freedom translation,” But then becomes a very strong word that will introduce a contrast between (a) verse 21a and the rest of the passage (verses 17-24), which advises people to remain as they are, and (b) verse 21b, which would then be an exception. One may say, for example, “but if you have the opportunity to actually become free, then use this opportunity.” If the “slavery translation” (2) is chosen, the word But is used less strongly to introduce a straightforward contrast between the states of freedom and slavery: “but even if you have the opportunity to gain your freedom, you should choose rather to make the best of your condition as a slave.”
There are three arguments that seem to point in the direction of the “freedom translation” as the more probable one.
First, the tense of the verbs gain and avail … of in the Greek is aorist, indicating a particular event. If the meaning had been “make use of your slavery,” one would have expected a present imperative, as in verses 17 and 20, meaning “go on making use of your slavery.” However, Paul’s use of tenses in this passage is so uncertain that not much weight can be placed on this argument.
Second, in a somewhat similar passage, 9.12, 15, Paul speaks about his not using the right to be paid for his work. The verb “use” (Good News Bible) is the same as the one used here. If the meaning is the same, this is a further slight argument in favor of the “freedom translation.”
Third, in 7.28 Paul makes a similar concession or exception to a general rule, although the language is not identical. He says “but if you marry.”
In summary, it seems that the translator would be wise to choose the “freedom translation” rather than the “slavery translation.”
Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .