Does The Bible Condone Slavery
“Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling.”
This is a quote taken directly from the bible. Kind of. I did mix the NIV and ESV translations. Verses like this have been used in the name of God to justify atrocities, with this being a clear example of condoning slavery. This tendency to take things out of context is not limited to just discrediting the bible, but also to misrepresent people, whether a political figure, a pastor, or even teachers and students (the basis of all petty gossip). This is why, in all situations, we need the proper context.
Background
This verse is from Ephesians 6, written by Paul the Apostle around 60 AD while he was in a Roman prison. Slavery was a universal practice in the world and a present reality for those living in Rome. It was around this time that many were coming to know the saving grace of Jesus, including “slaves” and “masters.” Paul was writing to people who existed, just as he would to anyone, regardless of “occupation.” This was not a condoning of slavery, but a recognition of cultural reality.
As a slave
I misled you by placing the period after “trembling.” The rest of the verse reads
“… with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.”
There is too much to unpack, so I’ll hit the main points. Fear and trembling in the bible has a different connotation than what common society is used to. The key is “fear and trembling as you would Christ.” As Christians, we believe fear and trembling are a good thing. In short, it means having respect and humility towards God. But why does Paul then tell slaves to show respect and humility to their masters?
Fear and trembling means having respect and humility towards God.
Paul wants us to see beyond this life: yes, a person may be a slave to an earthly master, but ultimately God is the true master, and He is a good one. Once again, Paul is not condoning slavery, but instead telling followers of Christ how to behave no matter the circumstance. Do good, not evil. Have respect and humility, because ultimately we serve God.
As a master
Looking into the next verse, “Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.”
In our minds, masters were cruel to their slaves, and in most cases, they were. Paul is saying this is not acceptable. Given your position as a master, you are to treat them as God treats you, because just like them, your ultimate master is God.
God, The Breaker of Chains
The bible is the story of the gospel and how God redeems a people caught in the bondage of sin. We are compared to being “slaves” in the spiritual sense. It is through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross that our bondages are broken and we are no longer slaves to sin but sons of God. The bible makes it clear that it wants to set the captive free and that slavery has no place in the kingdom of God.
This is also an invitation to anyone who has not accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. By his blood, we are set free. Today is the day that you too could experience the freedom we have in Christ.
