The question of whether the Bible supports slavery is a complex and often contentious issue. Throughout history, different groups have interpreted the Bible in various ways, some arguing that it condones slavery, while others claim it ultimately condemns the practice. Understanding this topic requires a careful examination of the historical, cultural, and theological contexts in which the Bible was written. This article explores the biblical texts related to slavery, the historical context of those texts, and the broader moral and theological principles that have influenced Christian interpretations of slavery.
Slavery in the Old Testament
The Old Testament, also known as the Hebrew Bible, contains several passages that reference slavery. In ancient Israel, as in many other ancient Near Eastern societies, slavery was an accepted institution. However, the type of slavery practiced in Israel differed from the chattel slavery that was common in later periods, such as during the transatlantic slave trade.
Regulations and Ethical Considerations
The Old Testament contains numerous laws that regulate the treatment of slaves, suggesting that slavery was a part of society but was also subject to ethical constraints. For instance, in the Book of Exodus, the Mosaic Law includes provisions designed to protect the rights of slaves. Exodus 21:2-6 states:
“If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years; and in the seventh he shall go out free and pay nothing. If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself; if he was married, then his wife shall go out with him. If his master has given him a wife, and she has borne him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out by himself. But if the servant plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ then his master shall bring him to the judges. He shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever.”
This passage indicates that Hebrew slaves were to be treated with a certain level of dignity and had the right to freedom after a set period. The law also provided for the possibility of a slave choosing to remain with their master, suggesting that the relationship between master and slave was not always purely coercive.
Moreover, the Bible calls for the humane treatment of slaves. Deuteronomy 23:15-16, for example, instructs the Israelites to protect runaway slaves:
“You shall not give back to his master the slave who has escaped from his master to you. He may dwell with you in your midst, in the place which he chooses within one of your gates, where it seems best to him; you shall not oppress him.”
These laws suggest that while slavery was accepted, it was regulated in ways that sought to protect the rights and well-being of slaves, at least within the community of Israel.
The Concept of Servitude
In the Old Testament, the concept of servitude was often tied to debt repayment or as a consequence of poverty. Individuals might sell themselves into slavery to pay off debts or provide for their families. However, this form of slavery was typically temporary and included provisions for the eventual release of the servant, particularly among fellow Israelites.
In Leviticus 25:39-42, the Jubilee year is introduced, a time when all Hebrew slaves were to be set free:
“And if one of your brethren who dwells by you becomes poor, and sells himself to you, you shall not compel him to serve as a slave. As a hired servant and a sojourner he shall be with you, and shall serve you until the Year of Jubilee. And then he shall depart from you—he and his children with him—and shall return to his own family. He shall return to the possession of his fathers. For they are My servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as slaves.”
This regulation highlights that the concept of perpetual, generational slavery, as seen in later history, was not the norm in ancient Israelite society.
Slavery in the New Testament
The New Testament also addresses the issue of slavery, but it does so within the context of the Roman Empire, where slavery was a deeply entrenched institution. The New Testament does not explicitly call for the abolition of slavery, but it does provide teachings that have been interpreted in various ways regarding the treatment of slaves and the moral implications of the practice.
Paul’s Letters and Early Christian Communities
The Apostle Paul, in his letters to the early Christian communities, addresses both slaves and masters. In Ephesians 6:5-9, Paul writes:
“Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.”
Here, Paul does not call for the abolition of slavery, but he does urge both slaves and masters to treat each other with respect and fairness. This passage, like others in the New Testament, reflects the reality of the time, where slavery was a widespread and accepted institution.
In the letter to Philemon, Paul appeals to a Christian slave owner to receive his runaway slave, Onesimus, back “no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother” (Philemon 1:16). While Paul does not explicitly demand Onesimus’s freedom, his request for Philemon to treat Onesimus as a brother in Christ reflects a radical departure from the traditional master-slave relationship, emphasizing spiritual equality.
The Christian Ethic of Equality
One of the central messages of the New Testament is the spiritual equality of all people before God. Galatians 3:28 famously states:
“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
This verse, and others like it, have been interpreted as advocating for a more egalitarian society, where social distinctions such as slavery are ultimately irrelevant in the eyes of God. Early Christian communities, though they existed within the framework of a slave-holding society, began to embody these principles, treating slaves and free people alike as members of the same spiritual family.
Theological Interpretations and Historical Impact
Throughout history, the interpretation of biblical passages related to slavery has varied widely. Some Christians have used the Bible to justify slavery, particularly during the era of the transatlantic slave trade, arguing that the Bible condoned the practice. However, others have drawn on the broader moral and theological principles found in the Bible—such as the inherent dignity and equality of all people—to argue against slavery.
The abolitionist movements of the 18th and 19th centuries were heavily influenced by Christian teachings. Abolitionists often cited biblical principles of justice, compassion, and human dignity in their arguments against slavery. Figures like William Wilberforce in England and Frederick Douglass in the United States used the Bible to make moral cases for the abolition of slavery, arguing that it was incompatible with Christian ethics.
Final words
The Bible’s stance on slavery is complex and reflects the historical and cultural contexts in which its books were written. While the Bible contains passages that regulate and, in some cases, seem to accept slavery, it also includes broader moral teachings that have been used to challenge and ultimately condemn the practice. The Christian ethic of love, compassion, and equality, as articulated in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, has inspired generations of believers to fight against slavery and advocate for the dignity and freedom of all people. While some have used the Bible to justify slavery, its teachings have also provided powerful arguments for its abolition, illustrating the dynamic and evolving interpretation of biblical texts in response to changing social and moral understandings.