What does the bible Teach about Slavery?

What does the Bible Teach about Slavery?

from Questions and Answers

by Neil McBride

 Introduction,

Slavery is a concept that has existed throughout human history, deeply ingrained in the practices of many ancient civilisations. It has taken various forms, influenced by cultural norms, legal systems, and religious teachings. One of the most influential spiritual texts, the Bible, contains numerous references to slavery, which, due to its historical and cultural significance, plays a central role in how the practice was understood in biblical times. The Bible is a complex and multi-layered document, containing writings from various authors across many centuries, meaning that the biblical perspective on slavery is multifaceted and requires a deeper examination.

For millions, the Bible is a spiritual guide and a moral and ethical compass. Its teachings on social justice, human dignity, and divine justice have shaped the beliefs and practices of countless individuals and communities. However, the Bible’s approach to slavery, like many other topics, has been the subject of much debate and interpretation. In some instances, the Bible appears to regulate or even endorse slavery; in others, it emphasises freedom, equality, and the moral imperative to treat others with dignity and respect.

To truly understand what the Bible teaches about slavery, it is essential to explore several key elements: the historical context in which slavery was practised, the various passages in the Bible that mention slavery, and the broader theological implications of these teachings. A thorough examination of these elements will provide valuable insight into the Bible’s perspective on the institution of slavery and, more importantly, what its teachings suggest about the broader issues of freedom, justice, and human dignity.

The Historical Context of Slavery in Biblical Times

Before examining the Bible’s specific teachings on slavery, it is crucial to understand what slavery meant in the ancient world. Slavery was widespread in many ancient societies, including those in the ancient Near East, Greece, Rome, and Israel. It existed in many forms, from debt slavery and captives of war to hereditary servitude, and was not necessarily tied to race or ethnicity. In biblical times, slavery often resulted from war, economic hardship, or social structures rather than the racially based chattel slavery that would emerge in later centuries.

In ancient Israel, for example, slavery was an institution regulated by specific laws designed to protect the rights and dignity of slaves. The Israelites, like other ancient peoples, practised forms of servitude. Still, they also had laws that aimed to ensure the humane treatment of slaves, especially those who had fallen into servitude due to debt or poverty. For example, Hebrew slaves were not to be kept indefinitely and were to be released in the seventh year of service by the Year of Release. Additionally, the Israelites were forbidden from enslaving their fellow Israelites permanently and were required to treat them with kindness and fairness.

It is also important to note that, during the Roman Empire, in the time of the New Testament, slavery was a common institution. Slaves were used in a variety of roles, from labour to skilled professions, and their status could be changed through manumission (the act of being granted freedom). While slavery in ancient Rome could be brutal, it was not always seen in the same morally reprehensible light as later forms of slavery. Many slaves in the Roman Empire could hope to earn or be granted their freedom over time.

Slavery in the Old Testament: Laws and Regulations

The Old Testament contains many references to slavery, especially in books such as Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy. These texts outline laws intended to regulate the practice of slavery and offer protections for those in servitude. While the Bible does not outright condemn slavery, it provides guidelines that emphasise humane treatment and justice, which set it apart from other ancient cultures.

• Exodus 21:2-11: In Exodus 21, the treatment of Hebrew slaves is described. If a Hebrew man sold himself into slavery because of poverty, he was to serve his master for six years, and in the seventh year, he was to go free. “If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.” (Exodus 21:2) If the servant had a wife and children, they would remain with the master unless the servant chose to stay with his master. This provision ensured that Hebrew slaves were not to be kept in perpetual servitude.
• Exodus 21:16: “And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.” This verse condemns the act of kidnapping and selling a person into slavery. This passage reflects the Bible’s stance against the exploitation and forced abduction of people for slavery, which was a serious crime in ancient Israel.
• Leviticus 25:39-46: In Leviticus, the Bible reiterates that Hebrew slaves should be treated with dignity and respect. “And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant: but as a hired servant and as a sojourner he shall be with thee…” (Leviticus 25:39-40). The passage also sets forth rules for the treatment of foreign slaves. Though they could be inherited as property, the Israelite’s laws still regulated their treatment, offering some protections.
• Deuteronomy 15:12-18: In Deuteronomy, the law of the Year of Release is reaffirmed. “And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee.” (Deuteronomy 15:12). Upon their release, formerly enslaved people were to be generously supplied with resources to help them start anew. These laws ensured that those who had fallen into servitude were not oppressed indefinitely.

While the Old Testament does not abolish slavery, it presents a framework that restricts its excesses, ensuring that enslaved people were treated more humanely compared to other ancient civilisations. The instructions for the Year of Release, the treatment of Hebrew enslaved people, and the prohibition of kidnapping underscore the Bible’s concern for justice and fairness.

Slavery in the New Testament: Christian Teachings and Principles

In the New Testament, slavery remains a significant institution, particularly within the Roman Empire, where the early Christian community emerged. The Apostle Paul addresses the topic of slavery in several of his letters, instructing both slaves and masters on how to live according to Christian principles.

• Ephesians 6:5-9: “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.” (Ephesians 6:5-6). Here, Paul instructs slaves to serve their masters as they would serve Christ. Masters, in turn, are told to treat their servants well, recognising that they have a Master in heaven. “And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.” (Ephesians 6:9).
• Colossians 3:22-25: Similar to Ephesians, Paul instructs enslaved people to obey their masters “in singleness of heart, fearing God.” (Colossians 3:22). He also tells masters to provide their slaves with fairness and justice, reminding them that both slave and master are under God’s authority.
• Philemon 1:10-16: Perhaps the most profound New Testament passage regarding slavery is the letter to Philemon. Paul writes to Philemon, asking him to receive his runaway slave Onesimus not just as a slave but as a brother in Christ. “For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved…” (Philemon 1:15-16). This letter is often seen as an example of the early Christian vision of a society where spiritual equality in Christ supersedes the distinctions of master and servant.

The New Testament does not explicitly call for the abolition of slavery, but it strongly emphasises the spiritual equality of all people, regardless of social status. The principle of treating others as Christ would treat them, combined with the teachings of mutual respect and love, laid the groundwork for later Christian movements that would challenge the practice of slavery.

The Bible and the Abolition of Slavery: A Legacy of Justice and Freedom

Although the Bible does not directly call for the abolition of slavery, its principles of justice, love, and equality have inspired Christian abolitionists over the centuries. In the 18th and 19th centuries, figures such as William Wilberforce in England and Frederick Douglass in the United States used biblical teachings to argue that slavery was incompatible with the Christian faith. They emphasised the Bible’s call for justice, compassion, and the inherent worth of every individual created in the image of God.

The Bible’s message of equality in Christ and the fundamental dignity of every person has shaped the moral foundation of movements to abolish slavery. Jesus’ teachings on love, freedom, and justice continue to inspire Christians around the world to work toward ending all forms of oppression.

Conclusion

The Bible’s teachings on slavery are complex, shaped by the historical and cultural context in which they were written. While the Bible does not outright condemn slavery, it emphasises principles of justice, equality, and human dignity that, over time, contributed to the end of slavery. The Bible calls for fair treatment, mutual respect, and love for one’s neighbour, pointing to an ideal society where no one is reduced to servitude or oppression. Over the centuries, these principles have led to a broader understanding that slavery is incompatible with the message of Christ, inspiring movements for freedom and human rights around the world. Ultimately, the Bible’s message is one of justice, compassion, and the equality of all people before God.

 What does the bible Teach about Slavery?

DTA – Neil McBride

(CEO and founder of Downtown Angels)