It is generally agreed that the Bible does not condemn slavery.  But, are there any cogent reasons to believe that the Bible condones slavery?  [Note: Webster’s Dictionary indicates that the word condone means “to forgive, pardon, or overlook (an offense)”]  For purposes of this article, we will regard overlooking an offense as condoning it.

We will address the following two basic questions in this article:

  • Does the Bible take a clear position regarding the practice of slavery?
  • What does the Bible say about the treatment of slaves?

Does the Bible Take a Clear Position Regarding the Practice of Slavery?

With regard to two parables of Jesus Christ that are recorded in Matthew 18:21-35 and Luke 12:42-48, some modern translations of the Bible and Strong’s Concordance indicate that these parables were referring to the relationship between slaves and their masters.   This raises the question as to why Jesus Christ, when He spoke these parables, did not voice His disapproval of slavery.

One possible explanation as to why Jesus Christ did not express His disapproval of slavery when He spoke these two parable is that the term servant or servants, rather than the term slave or slaves, is more appropriate, according to most modern versions of the Bible.  And, if the term servant or servants is the more appropriate translation in these scripture passages, there would have been no need at that time for Jesus to voice His disapproval of slavery.  The same can be said in reference to Luke 7:1-10, which pertains to Jesus’ healing of the slave (or servant) of a Roman centurion.

Be that as it may, the Book of Philemon pertains to the Apostle Paul’s instructing a slave named Onesimus to return to Philemon, the master from whom Onesimus had previously fled.   This seems to imply that Paul condoned slavery.  However, there are at least a couple of plausible reasons why Paul gave this instruction to Onesimus.  One reason may have been that Paul believed that the return of Onesimus would contribute to the spiritual welfare of both Onesimus and Philemon.  Another reason may have been that, by returning to his previous master, Onesimus would demonstrate the genuineness of his faith that God would be with him wherever he was.

Similarly, there are at least four other scriptures – Ephesians 6:5-8, Colossians 3:22-25, 1 Timothy 6:1-2, and I Peter 2:18-21 – that instruct slaves, who are sometimes referred to in the Bible as bondservants, to obey their masters.  Nothing in these scriptures is said that indicates that slavery is wrong.  Thus, these scriptures seem to indicate that the Bible condones slavery.

So, is there a credible reason to believe that the writers of these four scriptures did not condone slavery?

An article entitled “What Does the Bible Say about Slavery?” on the Internet site ourdailybread.org provides the following perspective regarding slavery during New Testament times:

Slavery was an integral part of the social, economic, and institutional life of the ancient Middle East. The Bible writers refer to it repeatedly as a fact of life. They neither endorsed nor condemned it. It was so intricately woven into the fabric of society that neither the patriarchs nor the nation of Israel could avoid being caught up in it. . . .

The same article provides the following additional perspective regarding why Jesus Christ, as well as His disciples and His disciples, evidently did not speak out regarding the impropriety of slavery:

Three answers to this question have been formulated by Christian scholars. First, slavery conditions had become so tolerable by the first century of the Christian era that it did not make sense to stir up the waters by making it an issue. Second, since believers were living in a dictatorship, any efforts to abolish slavery would have been an exercise in futility. Third, the primary mission of Jesus and His followers had to do with an individual’s eternal salvation from the penalty and power of sin, not social reform.

Jesus did not say one word about becoming political activists. Was He indifferent to this and other social evils? Not at all! It was simply a matter of putting first things first. By proclaiming the good news of salvation, the followers of Jesus led thousands of slaves as well as free people to believe on Him and receive everlasting life. These slaves became members of the family of God, receiving a social status far more valuable than freedom from slavery. The first and primary task of Christians always has been and always will be the proclaiming of God’s Word.

Furthermore, the article goes on to state,

[B]oth Jesus and the apostles undermined the basis for slavery by making it clear that God equally loves rich and poor, free and slave, male and female. The apostles also welcomed into the church and gave equal status to all who believed, regardless of race, gender, nationality, or social position.

Another Internet site, christiananswers.net, provides the following additional perspective:

The Bible was never designed to serve as a manifesto on controversial political issues. It is rather primarily the story of how God, over time, has worked His sovereign will in this universe, and is still able to do so, through the hearts and minds and lives of those who trust Him.

What Does the Bible Say about the Treatment of Slaves?

There are several scriptures in the Old Testament which suggest that the Hebrews treated slaves well.  Consider Genesis 15:1-3, for example.  Although there are differences of opinion among the sources that we consulted as to whether Eliezer of Damascus was a slave or a servant, this scripture indicates that Eliezer would have inherited Abraham’s possessions, if Abraham remained childless.  This implies that Eliezer would have received essentially the same inheritance as a sole son of Abraham after Abraham died.

An example that God expected the Hebrews to treat their slaves well is found in Genesis 17:9-14, which states that God instructed Abraham to circumcise every male in his household, including those whom Abraham had purchased (i.e., Abraham’s slaves).  Thus, in regard to the religious ritual of circumcision, these slaves were to be treated the same as if they were Hebrews.

According to the ourdailybread.org article,

[A]lthough God permitted [the Israelites] to buy slaves, He gave them a series of moral-spiritual reminders and a set of civil regulations that were designed to guarantee the humane treatment of all slaves, whether captured or purchased.

Slaves in Israel were usually domestic workers in the homes of the wealthy and were treated as family members. . . . Some people who were captured from neighboring nations were made slaves of the state or served in the maintenance of the temple complex . . . . But the biblical record indicates that they were treated well.

What may be an example of God’s desire to protect even non-Hebrew slaves from harsh treatment by the Hebrews is found in Exodus 21:20.   In the NIV translation of the Bible, this scripture declares, “If a man beats his male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies as a direct result, he must be punished.”  However, other sources differ as to whether or not this scripture pertains to servants rather than to slaves.

Another scripture to consider is Colossians 4:1, in which the Apostle Paul declares in the NKJ version, “Masters, give your servants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.”  However, most of the other modern versions of the Bible translate the Greek word doulos in this scripture as slaves.  Thus, it is likely that this scripture indicates that Paul was an advocate of fair treatment for slaves.

And, in Ephesians 6:9, Paul told Christian slave owners, “Do not threaten them [their slaves], since you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him.”

Conclusion

There is sufficient reason to believe that the Bible condoned slavery, even during New Testament times, since there is no record in the Bible that Jesus Christ or any of His disciples or His apostles spoke out against (i.e., condemned) slavery.  Perhaps, the reasons that we previously mentioned as to why neither Jesus nor His disciples or His apostles spoke out against slavery are sufficient to justify their silence regarding the propriety of the ownership if slaves.  In any case, both the Old Testament and the New Testament advocate kind treatment of slaves.