The Concept of Slavery in the New Testament Bible
The New Testament Bible was written in the first century AD. During this time, slavery was a common practice, and the New Testament speaks about the concept of slavery in several passages.
One of the most quoted passages in the New Testament regarding slavery is Ephesians 6:5-8, which reads:
“Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.”
This passage has been used by many to justify the practice of slavery, but it is important to understand the context in which it was written. The passage is not an endorsement of slavery, but rather advice for how slaves should behave in a society where slavery was legal and common. It instructs slaves to obey their masters as if they were serving Christ, with sincerity and respect, and to do their work wholeheartedly, knowing that God will reward them for their good deeds.
In another passage, 1 Timothy 1:9-10, the New Testament condemns the practice of slave trading. The passage reads:
“We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine.”
This passage clearly identifies slave traders as lawbreakers and rebels, and therefore, condemns the practice of slave trading.
It is also worth noting that the New Testament teaches that all human beings are equal in the eyes of God. Galatians 3:28 reads
“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
This passage shows that, according to the New Testament, all human beings are equal and should be treated as such. This message of equality and dignity for all people is echoed throughout the teachings of Jesus Christ, who consistently showed compassion and love for the poor, the marginalized, and those who were considered outcasts in society.
Contrary to what naysayers will out, the New Testament Bible does not endorse the practice of slavery. Christians recognize that the teachings of Jesus Christ emphasize the importance of treating all people with love, compassion, and respect, regardless of their social status or position in society. As we continue to navigate complex issues of social justice and equality in our own time, we can look to the teachings of the New Testament for guidance and inspiration.
Jesus references slavery in the New Testament
According to the Bible, Jesus healed the ill slave of a centurion and restored the cut off ear of the high priest’s slave. In his parables, Jesus referenced slavery. Jesus’ teaching on slavery include mentions of spiritual slavery, a slave having two masters (God and mammon), slavery to God, acting as a slave toward others, and the greatest among his disciples being the least of them. Jesus also taught that he would give burdened and weary laborers rest. The Passion narratives are interpreted by the Catholic Church as a fulfillment of the Suffering Servant songs in Isaiah.
Jesus’ view of slavery compares the relationship between God and humankind to that of a master and his slaves. Three instances where Jesus communicates this view include:
- Matthew 18:21-35: Jesus’ Parable of the Unmerciful Servant, wherein Jesus compares the relationship between God and humankind to that of a master and his slaves. Jesus offers the story of a master selling a slave along with his wife and children.
- Matthew 20:20-28: A series of remarks wherein Jesus recognizes it is necessary to be a slave to be “first” among the deceased entering heaven.
- Matthew 24:36-51: Jesus’ Parable of the Faithful Servant, wherein Jesus again compares the relationship between God and humankind to that of a master and his slaves.
Paul’s mentions of slavery in the New Testament
In Paul’s letters to the Ephesians, Paul motivates early Christian slaves to remain loyal and obedient to their masters like they are to Christ. In Col 4:1 Paul advises members of the church, who are slave masters, to “treat your slaves justly and fairly, realizing that you too have a Master in heaven.” Adding to Paul’s advice to masters and slaves, he uses slavery as a metaphor. In Romans 1:1 Paul calls himself “a slave of Christ Jesus” and later in Romans 6:18 Paul writes “You have been set free from sin and become slaves to righteousness.” Also in Galatians, Paul writes on the nature of slavery within the kingdom of God. Galatians 3:28 states: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” We find similar patterns of speech and understanding about slavery in Peter’s epistles. In 1 Timothy 1:10, Paul condemns enslavers with the sexually immoral, abusers of themselves with mankind, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine.
Philemon’s mention of slavery
The Epistle to Philemon has become an important text in regard to slavery. In the epistle, Saint Paul writes to Saint Philemon that he is returning Saint Onesimus, a fugitive slave, back to him; however, Paul also entreats Philemon to regard Onesimus, who he views as a son, not as a slave but as a beloved brother in Christ. Philemon is requested to treat Onesimus as he would treat Paul. According to Catholic tradition, Philemon freed Onesimus.
The prospect of “Manumission”
The prospect of manumission is an idea prevalent within the New Testament. In contrast to the Old Testament, the New Testament’s criteria for manumission encompasses Roman laws on slavery as opposed to the shmita system. Manumission within the Roman system largely depends on the mode of enslavement. In the time of the New Testament, there were three modes in which a slave could be manumitted by his or her master: a will could include a formal permission of manumission, a slave could be declared free during a census, or a slave and master could go before a provincial official. These modes of manumission lend evidence to suggest that manumission was an everyday occurrence, and thus complicates New Testament texts encouraging manumission. In 1 Corinthians 7:21, Paul encourages enslaved peoples to pursue manumission. Modes of manumission, in the New Testament, are once again disputed in a letter from Paul to Galatians in which Paul writes “For freedom Christ has set us free”.
Image Credits:
• Saint Adalbert of Prague pleads for the release of Christians slaves via Wikimedia Commons by "Drzwi Gnieźnieńskie" Zakład Imienia Ossolińskich Wrocław, Poland, 1956 with usage type - Public Domain, 1956
Featured Image Credit:
• Saint Adalbert of Prague pleads for the release of Christians slaves via Wikimedia Commons by "Drzwi Gnieźnieńskie" Zakład Imienia Ossolińskich Wrocław, Poland, 1956 with usage type - Public Domain, 1956