FREEDMAN, FREEMAN (ἀπελεύθερος, G592; ἐλεύθερος, G1801). NT terms to indicate an emancipated slave in the first word and a condition of freedom in the second.

Apeleutheros is used only in 1 Corinthians 7:22 in the NT, and there in a fig. sense of “being made free by the Lord.”

Eleutheros is employed to indicate political and social freedom, as is brought out in 1 Corinthians 7:21, several times being included in lists setting forth different religious, social, and economic groupings of society, as Jew, Greek, barbarian, slave, free, king, etc. (1 Cor 12:13; Gal 3:28; Eph 6:8; Col 3:11; Rev 6:15; 13:16; 19:18). The word can also indicate independency of action (1 Cor 9:1; Matt 17:26; Rom 6:20; 7:3; 1 Cor 7:39; 9:19) as well as spiritual freedom in Christ (John 8:36; 1 Pet 2:16; cf. Gal 4:26).