The NT does not condone slavery but recognises that slavery exists, and that many slaves have become believers. The status of slaves in the church is transformed by the work of Jesus Christ. Slaves were accorded greater respect because they were seen to be spiritually equal with others.
Examples of slavery in the NT
Acts 16:16–21 Paul and Silas deliver a demon-possessed slave girl; Philemon 1:8–21 Paul returns the runaway slave Onesimus to his master.
The gospel transforms the status of slaves
1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:26–28
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Instructions concerning slavery
Instructions to Christian slaves
Ephesians 6:5–8 See also 1 Corinthians 7:20–24; Colossians 3:22–24; 1 Timothy 6:1–2; Titus 2:9–10; 1 Peter 2:18–21
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
Instructions to Christian masters
Ephesians 6:9 See also Colossians 4:1; Philemon 1:8–17
And masters, do the same for your slaves. Give up your use of threats, because you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him.
The immorality of trading in slaves
We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.