Slavery in the Bible

 Slavery is widely known as a controversial issue during the Civil War. However, it is also an issue of biblical times. The Bible has many instances in which it condones, and condemns slavery. There are many verses, that talk about slavery and how slaves should obey their masters. In the same sense, there are many things from the Bible that can be used to confirm that the Bible condemned slavery, such as the ten commandments. 

When thinking about slavery, many minds go straight to the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln. However, when slavery relates to the Bible, the circumstances were slightly different. Race-based slavery was not used; however, economic-based slavery was used. Most slaves in Christianity had to sell themselves because they were in a debt they could not repay, so they sold themselves instead. On the other hand, some were born into slavery and had to fulfill that. Ephesians 6:5 states, “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ”. This verse outlines that Christianity condoned slavery. Additionally, Colossians 4:1 states, “Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.” This verse helps support the idea that even though the Bible does not directly say that slavery is acceptable, it still summarizes how masters should have treated their slaves. 

Another instance in which the Bible condones slavery is in Leviticus 25:44-45, “As for your male and female slaves whom you may have: you may buy male and female slaves from among the nations that are around you. You may also buy from among the strangers who sojourn with you and their clans that are with you, who have been born in your land, and they may be your property.” This example contradicts the statement that all men are created equal. The Bible is supposed to be thought of as a comfort to all people and something they can turn to in times of need. Instances like these show that even the Bible has its flaws.

The Bible does also condemn slavery. In the Bible, there are different things written that can be interpreted that slavery should be condemned. In 1 Corinthians 7:23, it says “you were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.” Saying that we were “bought with a price” is talking about how Jesus died on the cross for our sins so that we could be forgiven and be able to live an eternal life. Saying “do not become slaves of men” is telling us that the only person we should be completely committed to is God, not an earthly figure.

There are only a few times in the Bible when we are directly told how to live rather than interpreting. One of these times are the ten commandments, which slavery can be considered against these commandments. One of the commandments that slavery goes against is told in Exodus 20:15 which is “You shall not steal.” The people who had slaves were robbing the slaves of their freedom and also are not paying them a fair wage or some not even paying them, making this against one of the ten commandments.

 Also, the ten commandments tells us to “not covet your neighbor’s house.” This is interpreted as you shouldn’t take something that is not yours. They are taking people as slaves away from where they originally were and are taking away their chance to go do something different since they are taking away freedom and control. The Bible tells us to treat others how we would like others to treat us, making it that slavery isn’t right. We should all be equal in each other’s eyes since we should love our neighbors. Those that had slaves would not want to be put in the same positions that they put their own slaves into. 

The Bible has both support for condoning and condemning slavery. The Bible says that we should obey those that are our masters on earth, but the Bible also says that slavery isn’t right since it is taking away from what slaves deserve to earn. The Bible didn’t directly support slavery, but it told us that slaves should obey their masters and that their masters should treat them fairly since God would treat everyone the same and fair. If slavery is a sin, that sin should be forgiven with Jesus dying on the cross and it should be something of the past. 

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