Does the Bible Support SLAVERY?

LIE-beral critics of the Bible claim that it supports slavery. Does it? No, Paul boldly included slave trading in a list of sins:

We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. ⁹We also know that 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 of mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰ for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers – and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine ¹¹ that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God,

1 Timothy 1:8-11

He also said this:

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:28

As you can see, there’s neither slave nor free person “in Christ Jesus.”

This explains why Paul encouraged his friend and fellow Christian, Philemon, to set free his runaway slave, Onesimus, when Paul sent Onesimus back to Philemon. It’s not overtly stated, but obviously insinuated, e.g. “knowing that you will do even more than I ask” (Philemon 1:14-21).

The institution of slavery in the Roman world of the 1st century was a widespread, ironclad fact of life, and the New Testament’s instructions to slaves and owners must be viewed in this historical light.

Nevertheless, Paul’s instructions to slaves and masters in Ephesians 6:5-9 were utterly revolutionary at the time. The focus wasn’t to challenge the morality of the system but rather to transform people within the system from within; that is, in their spirits and hearts. Freedom always starts within and then proceeds without; and I don’t mean just freedom from conventional slavery. Trying to change people from the outside in, by contrast, doesn’t work because it’s merely a garnishment. This is why the Old Covenant that the Israelites had with God didn’t work—it was merely a set of rules to obey without inward regeneration. The New Covenant, by contrast, provides the necessary spiritual rebirth (Titus 3:5) and this is the main reason it’s a “superior covenant” (Hebrews 8:6).

While the priority of New Testament ministers was to transform people from within rather than tackle slavery head-on, Paul plainly instructed slaves:

Were you a slave when you were called (to the Lord)? Don’t let it trouble you — although if you can gain your freedom, do so

1 Corinthians 7:21

As you can see, the bible actually doesn’t support slavery in the least.

Add to this the fact that the greatest abolitionists of the 18th and 19th centuries were devout Christians, like William Wilberforce and William Lloyd Garrison.

As for the voluntary servants permitted amongst Hebrews according to the Torah, this wasn’t slavery as we understand it today. Individuals could sell their services for up to six years to repay debts or what have you; on the seventh year they were released, unless they loved their “masters” and wanted to stay (Exodus 21:2-6). As such, Hebrew “slaves” were actually hired hands and only became lifelong servants based on the desire of the servant (and the master).

What about Hebrews being real slaves? Notice how the LORD condemned this as evil outright:

If someone is caught kidnapping a fellow Israelite and treating or selling them as a slave, the kidnapper must die. You must purge the evil from among you.

Deuteronomy 24:7

What about real slaves from other countries who fled to Israel? Notice what the LORD commanded:

If a slave has taken refuge with you, do not hand them over to their master. ¹⁶Let them live among you wherever they like and in whatever town they choose. Do not oppress them.

Deuteronomy 23:15-16

Wow, that just blows the LIE-beral lie that the Bible supports human bondage, huh?

Furthermore, the Old Testament is clear about apprehending people and selling them as if they were property:

“Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death.”

Exodus 21:16

As you can see, stealing people and selling them as chattel was a crime with the penalty of death.

In light of all this, how anyone can misconstrue that the Bible advocates slavery is beyond me. In fact, Christianity’s all about FREEDOM from slavery and far more than just the conventional kind, as this verse shows:

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery

Galatians 5:1

The LORD wants every believer set free from the yoke of legalistic religiosity, which you can read about here, as well as free from the yoke of the flesh, which you can read about here.

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Homosexuality is a Sin, BUT there’s Freedom through Christ

Hermeneutics — Proper Bible Interpretation

Christianity — Does it Weaken People or Empower?

Who Wrote the New Testament Books? Who Authorized them as Scripture Canon?

Is Name-Calling Ever Appropriate?

Does the Bible Support SLAVERY?

A 5-Minute Video on the History of Slavery (that LIEberals Don’t Want You to Know About)