The Bible Says Slavery Is Okay?
Let’s just put this out there: The Bible does NOT permit slavery.
In 1 Timothy, the Apostle Paul says that those who enslave others are lawless, disobedient, ungodly sinners who practice what is contrary to Scripture.
Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, the men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine… (1 Timothy 1:8-10)
So, there ya go!
But, wait… didn’t he also tell slaves to submit to their earthly master and masters to treat their slaves with fairness?
Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ… (Ephesians 6:5)
Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. (Colossians 3:22-4:1)
Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. (1 Timothy 6:1)
Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well pleasing, not argumentative. (Titus 2:9)
Yes. But, that’s not permitting slavery.
Paul wanted to systematically dismantle such an unjust institution.
You were bought with a price. Do not become bondservants of men. (1 Corinthians 7:23)
Slaves in Roman colonies made up as much as a third of the population. And, in some cases, the slaves – better described as bondservants – were actually considered family.
Bondservant (Greek word doulos)
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- A person who owed a debt, or bonded to servitude, slavery.
- Bondservants could often buy their own freedom.
- Some would take the name of their former master’s family.
- Not the same kind of slavery as that of Colonial America.
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This is why Paul’s instructions to bondservants and masters in Ephesians 6 (in addition to several others) were written in the context of family.
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- Ephesians 5:22-23 – Instructions to wives and husbands.
- Ephesians 6:1-4 – Instructions to parents and children.
- Ephesians 6:5-9 – Instructions to masters and bondservants.
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Still, bondservants had fewer rights and were vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
Abolishing slavery meant changing the social attitude about slavery. He told Christian slaves and their Christian masters to consider each other brothers and sisters in Christ, rather than owners and property.
He is no longer a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother – especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would me. (Philemon 1:16-18)
When society viewed servants and slaves as being of the least importance, Jesus turned that structure on its head by teaching that the greatest in God’s kingdom are the servants of all.
Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:26-28)
If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all! (Mark 9:35)
As for Old Testament law regarding slavery, that’s a lengthy explanation. Just know that some laws existed to ensure that all members of the Theocracy were provided for.
OLD TESTAMENT LAWS REGARDING SLAVERY:
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- The Hebrews were to regard one another as human beings and not property.
- The main reason for slavery was to pay off a debt.
- To employ a destitute person was considered a loving act.
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As with us, they were to consider themselves set free from slavery, never to return.
For freedom, Christ has set us free. Stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)
With a word on modern slavery, talking about human trafficking and sex trade, if we even want to make a dent in abolishing it, two things need to be made scarce or completely eradicated: Abortion and Porn.
Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for MURDERERS, the SEXUALLY IMMORAL, the men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine… (1 Timothy 1:8-10)
Abortion (murder) and porn (sexual immorality) are practices as Godless as slavery…
…when we understand the text.
(This video is by WWUTT. Discovered by Christian Podcast Central and our community — copyright is owned by the publisher, not Christian Podcast Central.)