In the NT, Slavery is broadly condemned.

[Ain't Zwinglian]

Slavery is condemned broadly under commandment "Thou shall not steal." All Christians are not to take our neighbors person, property or money by force or dishonest dealings, but help him keep his own individual life, and protect his property and business.

Secondly, Christians are forbidden to be apart of the slave trade. The Biblical term for this is "men stealing" ἀνδραποδιστής in 1 Timothy 1:10.

And thirdly in James 5:1-6, slavery is condemned as "theft of labor." "Theft of labor" is one of two sins that cry out to God. (The other is murder in Gen. 4). It is a grievous sin. Why? It destroys human creativity. Each person is uniquely created by God with specialized gifts in intellect, talents and abilities. A slave is forced to give up what God has uniquely gifted him/her for his slave master. Freedom allows mankind to live as God intended and gifted them to live.

 

[Clare73]

Slavery is condemned broadly under commandment "Thou shall not steal."

And yet Paul sent the run away slave, Onesimus, back to his owner, Philemon.

Man-stealing is forbidden.
All slaves were not stolen in the OT.

Some were even commanded by God, e.g., prisoners of war.

 

[Jesse Dornfeld]

And yet Paul sent the run away slave, Onesimus, back to his owner, Philemon.

Yeah, as his brother, not as his slave.

 

[Ain't Zwinglian]

And yet Paul sent the run away slave, Onesimus, back to his owner, Philemon.

Yes, I knew Philemon and Onesimus would enter into discussion.

Philemon was written during Paul’s first Roman imprisonment approximately two years before I Timothy was written. In Philemon, Paul appeals to Philemon as a brother in Christ, and desires Philemon in turn to treat Onesimus has a brother in Christ and set him free. In Timothy, Paul thunders down the law, and forbids all Christians everywhere not to be apart of the slave trade.

Paul is using two different ways to achieve the same goal. In Philemon, Paul wants Philemon to forgive his runaway slave, and then free him from slavery, so he can serve in ministry. And for love’s sake our choices have consequences that greatly affect not only ourselves, but also the earthly lives of other people. Freedom—the ability to choose—is a necessary ingredient for love to be possible. Love must be chosen, it cannot be coerced.

I Timothy 1:10 is pure law. No engagement in the slave trade is to be tolerated.


Vs. eight is curious. 8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9 yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love.

Paul could have used his apostolic authority could have directly commanded Philemon to forgive and release Onesimus. His apostolic authority extended to all the churches around Colossae and through out the NT. And yet Paul demonstrated great pastoral help, showing in this particular case, Christian love as an answer to this most horrid societal practice of slavery. A lesson we all can learn here at CF.


Slavery was deeply intertwined with the Roman economy. At absolute minimum 10% of the empire’s population consisted of slaves. The actual number is actually much higher. Rome’s stock of slaves was built up through its successful conquests and its captives in warfare and the offspring those captives produced. Slaves served in households, government work, labored in construction and road-building projects, worked in fields or mines, rowed ships, or fulfilled many other occupations. Slaves stemmed from all sorts of ethnicities. They had no legal standing in Roman society. Their masters could abuse them without any repercussion. But masters could also free them. The typical punishment for a slave running away from his master was death.

Perhaps the reason why the NT doesn’t come out clearly and state slavery is wrong and a sin is because of Pax Romana. Under Pax Romana, the Roman government protected and governed individual provinces (client states) within the empire, permitting each to make and administer its own laws while accepting Roman taxation and military control. Pay taxes and no rebellion.

However, if Paul had specifically declared slavery a sin (rather than forbidden Christians to participate) this might be considered treason against a Roman ingrained institution, and Roman would conquer the Christians just as they did any other country.

 

[Clare73]

Yeah, as his brother, not as his slave.

As his brother, who is his slave, and who is to submit to his master (1 Pe 2:18).

 

[BobRyan]

Slavery is condemned broadly under commandment "Thou shall not steal." All Christians are not to take our neighbors person, property or money by force or dishonest dealings, but help him keep his own individual life, and protect his property and business.

Secondly, Christians are forbidden to be apart of the slave trade. The Biblical term for this is "men stealing" ἀνδραποδιστής in 1 Timothy 1:10.

And thirdly in James 5:1-6, slavery is condemned as "theft of labor." "Theft of labor" is one of two sins that cry out to God. (The other is murder in Gen. 4). It is a grievous sin. Why? It destroys human creativity. Each person is uniquely created by God with specialized gifts in intellect, talents and abilities. A slave is forced to give up what God has uniquely gifted him/her for his slave master. Freedom allows mankind to live as God intended and gifted them to live.

The top two commandments according to Christ in Matt 22
"Love God with all your heart" Deut 6:5
"Love your neighbor as yourself" Lev 19:18

That "Love your neighbor" command hits slavery right between the eyes in both the NT and the OT

James 2 says "to break one is to break them all".

This means to enslave your brother is "not love God with all your heart" since God is your brother's "maker" and He is your brother's "Savior".

1. To love someone "as yourself" leaves you very far away from "enslaving them".
2. Phil 2 says to regard the other person as more important than yourself -- which leaves you very far from enslaving them.
3. Eph 2 says no dividing lines exist for Christians - no slaves vs free, no Jew vs gentile

 

[Clare73]

Yes, I knew Philemon and Onesimus would enter into discussion.

Philemon was written during Paul’s first Roman imprisonment approximately two years before I Timothy was written. In Philemon, Paul appeals to Philemon as a brother in Christ, and desires Philemon in turn to treat Onesimus has a brother in Christ and set him free. In Timothy, Paul thunders down the law, and forbids all Christians everywhere not to be apart of the slave trade.

"Slavery" is not synonymous with "slave trade."
There were many slaves not involved with the slave trade (buying and selling of slaves), who were commanded to obey their masters
(1 Pe 2:18).
There is no indication that Onesimus nor his ancestors were purchased from a slave trader.
However, if Paul had specifically declared slavery a sin (rather than forbidden Christians to participate) this might be considered treason against a Roman ingrained institution, and Roman would conquer the Christians just as they did any other country.

However, if Paul had specifically declared slavery a sin (rather than forbidden Christians to participate)

Paul did not forbid Christians to own slaves.

this might be considered treason against a Roman ingrained institution, and Roman would conquer the Christians just as they did any other country.

It was treason to declare that Jesus was the son of God.

Nor did Paul base the law of God on the Roman empire's response.

Paul did not base God's morality on Roman law.

 

[tall73]

I Corinthians 7:21 Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. 22 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.

Paul objects to slavery on principle, as we are to serve the Lord, not men. So he advised those who could buy their freedom to do so.

 

[Ain't Zwinglian]

"Slavery" is not synonymous with "slave trade."
There were many slaves not involved with the slave trade (buying and selling of slaves), who were commanded to obey their masters
(1 Pe 2:18).
There is no indication that Onesimus nor his ancestors were purchased from a slave trader.

This is correct.

In the vocational passages (I Cor 7) , Paul admonishes Christians who are slaves...21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.

Being a Christian slave under the authority of a pagan Lord must be extremely difficult. Yet Paul admonishes the Christian to remain in their vocation although not their choice. Immediately ethical tensions arise where 1 Pe 2:18 is pitted against Acts 5:21 “We must obey God rather than man." And I am sure it takes greater wisdom than Solomon to resolve many day to day issues Christian slaves had to deal with. Slavery is such a horrid institution.

 

[The Liturgist]

Yes, I knew Philemon and Onesimus would enter into discussion.

Philemon was written during Paul’s first Roman imprisonment approximately two years before I Timothy was written. In Philemon, Paul appeals to Philemon as a brother in Christ, and desires Philemon in turn to treat Onesimus has a brother in Christ and set him free. In Timothy, Paul thunders down the law, and forbids all Christians everywhere not to be apart of the slave trade.

Paul is using two different ways to achieve the same goal. In Philemon, Paul wants Philemon to forgive his runaway slave, and then free him from slavery, so he can serve in ministry. And for love’s sake our choices have consequences that greatly affect not only ourselves, but also the earthly lives of other people. Freedom—the ability to choose—is a necessary ingredient for love to be possible. Love must be chosen, it cannot be coerced.

I Timothy 1:10 is pure law. No engagement in the slave trade is to be tolerated.


Vs. eight is curious. 8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9 yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love.

Paul could have used his apostolic authority could have directly commanded Philemon to forgive and release Onesimus. His apostolic authority extended to all the churches around Colossae and through out the NT. And yet Paul demonstrated great pastoral help, showing in this particular case, Christian love as an answer to this most horrid societal practice of slavery. A lesson we all can learn here at CF.


Slavery was deeply intertwined with the Roman economy. At absolute minimum 10% of the empire’s population consisted of slaves. The actual number is actually much higher. Rome’s stock of slaves was built up through its successful conquests and its captives in warfare and the offspring those captives produced. Slaves served in households, government work, labored in construction and road-building projects, worked in fields or mines, rowed ships, or fulfilled many other occupations. Slaves stemmed from all sorts of ethnicities. They had no legal standing in Roman society. Their masters could abuse them without any repercussion. But masters could also free them. The typical punishment for a slave running away from his master was death.

Perhaps the reason why the NT doesn’t come out clearly and state slavery is wrong and a sin is because of Pax Romana. Under Pax Romana, the Roman government protected and governed individual provinces (client states) within the empire, permitting each to make and administer its own laws while accepting Roman taxation and military control. Pay taxes and no rebellion.

However, if Paul had specifically declared slavery a sin (rather than forbidden Christians to participate) this might be considered treason against a Roman ingrained institution, and Roman would conquer the Christians just as they did any other country.

Indeed this is correct.

 

[The Liturgist]

The top two commandments according to Christ in Matt 22
"Love God with all your heart" Deut 6:5
"Love your neighbor as yourself" Lev 19:18

That "Love your neighbor" command hits slavery right between the eyes in both the NT and the OT

James 2 says "to break one is to break them all".

This means to enslave your brother is "not love God with all your heart" since God is your brother's "maker" and He is your brother's "Savior".

1. To love someone "as yourself" leaves you very far away from "enslaving them".
2. Phil 2 says to regard the other person as more important than yourself -- which leaves you very far from enslaving them.
3. Eph 2 says no dividing lines exist for Christians - no slaves vs free, no Jew vs gentile

This is a very compelling scriptural insight by you Bob on this point and this is why I value our friendship despite our doctrinal differences.

 

[Clare73]

This is correct.

In the vocational passages (I Cor 7) , Paul admonishes Christians who are slaves...21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.

Being a Christian slave under the authority of a pagan Lord must be extremely difficult. Yet Paul admonishes the Christian to remain in their vocation although not their choice. Immediately ethical tensions arise where 1 Pe 2:18 is pitted against Acts 5:21 “We must obey God rather than man." And I am sure it takes greater wisdom than Solomon to resolve many day to day issues Christian slaves had to deal with.

1 Pe 2:18 is not pitted against Ac 5:21.

Slavery is such a horrid institution.

A horrid institution, ordained by God (with the exclusion of kidnapping, Ex 21:16, 1 Tim 1:10), where slavery was
by voluntary consent - Ex 21:2-6, Lev 25:39, 47, Dt 15:16-17,
by purchase - Lev 22:11, 25:44-45,
by birth from your slave - Ex 21:2-4, Lev 22:11,
by captive of just war - Dt 20:10-11, 21:10-11, Nu 31:17-19, 25-28, 30, 46-47.

While slavery, like poverty, sickness and disability, is undesirable and is to be avoided if possible (1 Co 7:21),
nevertheless, it is not immoral and is ordained by God (Ex 21:20-21, Lev 25:44-46),
as are poverty (1 Sa 2:7, Mk 14:7), sickness (Dt 32:39) and disability (Ex 4:11, Jn 9:2-3).
God is with his people in these situations, as he was with Joseph in prison (Ge 39:21).

 

[Jesse Dornfeld]

As his brother, who is his slave, and who is to submit to his master (1 Pe 2:18).

You are inserting that into the text. Philemon has been used as an argument against slavery for hundreds of years. Reason being is what it means to be a "brother."

 

[Clare73]

You are inserting that into the text. Philemon has been used as an argument against slavery for hundreds of years.

You have the tradition of man to support your argument, and I have the word of God to support mine.

Paul returned Philemon (who had stolen) to his master, and
Peter exhorted Christian slaves to obey their masters,
because as illustrated in post #12 above, God ordained slavery.

Reason being is what it means to be a "brother."

To be a brother is to love one as oneself.
I have no problem seeing Philemon loving his personal servant as a brother.

I have no doubt the Queen of England loved her personal attendant in the same way.

 

[Jesse Dornfeld]

You have human tradition to support your position,
I have the word of God in post #12 to support mine.

If you think "brother" means he stays a slave, I'm going to need you to explain how. It's not human tradition for goodness sake. You sound like this KJV-only person I was talking to earlier today who insisted that their KJV was a better depiction of how Jesus talked.

 

[Clare73]

If you think "brother" means he stays a slave, I'm going to need you to explain how. It's not human tradition for goodness sake. You sound like this KJV-only person I was talking to earlier today who insisted that their KJV was a better depiction of how Jesus talked.

"Human tradition" is your assertion regarding Philemon being used as "an argument against slavery for hundreds of years."

"The word of God" in post #12 is my argument in refutation of your assertion based on human tradition.

 

[Jesse Dornfeld]

"Human tradition" is your assertion regarding Philemon being used as an argument against slavery for hundreds of years.

Because of the way "brother" is used. If you want to fight against my argument and think we should still have slaves today (which would actually lower my respect for you) then I'm going to need you to tell me why "brother" carries no special significance.

 

[Clare73]

Because of the way "brother" is used. If you want to fight against my argument and think we should still have slaves today (which would actually lower my respect for you) then I'm going to need you to tell me why "brother" carries no special significance.

"Brother" is brother in Christ, fellow Christian, which does not require freedom from slavery, nor forbid slave ownership, as Paul demonstrates in returning the Christian slave, Onesimus, to his rightful Christian owner, Philemon.

Keeping in mind that slavery was ordained by God (post #12).

 

[Jesse Dornfeld]

"Brother" is brother in Christ, fellow Christian, which does not require freedom from slavery, nor forbid slave ownership, as Paul demonstrates in returning the Christian slave, Onesimus, to his rightful Christian owner, Philemon.

Keeping in mind that slavery was ordained by God (post #12).

No, it means more than just "brother in Christ," which is probably why we are not seeing eye to eye (unless of course, you like the idea of slavery, but I would rather not go there as you have already tarnished your reputation to me as it is).

 

[Ain't Zwinglian]

A horrid institution, ordained by God (with the exclusion of kidnapping, Ex 21:16, 1 Tim 1:10), where slavery was
by voluntary consent - Ex 21:2-6, Lev 25:39, 47, Dt 15:16-17,
by purchase - Lev 22:11, 25:44-45,
by birth from your slave - Ex 21:2-4, Lev 22:11,
by captive of just war - Dt 20:10-11, 21:10-11, Nu 31:17-19, 25-28, 30, 46-47.

While slavery, like poverty, sickness and disability, is undesirable and is to be avoided if possible (1 Co 7:21), nevertheless, it is not immoral and is ordained by God (Ex 21:20-21, Lev 25:44-46), as are poverty (1 Sa 2:7, Mk 14:7), sickness (Dt 32:39) and disability (Ex 4:11, Jn 9:2-3).
God is with his people in these situations, as he was with Joseph in prison (Ge 39:21).

The OP clearly states "IN THE NT." I intentionally avoided the OT. The Scriptures allows us to make this distinction as the civil and ceremonial laws were only applicable to Israel not Christians. Secular slavery whether Roman (societal based) or American (raced based) IS IMMORAL AND NOT ORDAINED BY GOD, as slaves could be considered chattle or worse "non persons" which violates Gen. 1&2.