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The Bible Says: Does God Approve of Slavery?

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Does God approve of slavey?

Below are the Scriptures that many people are conflicted about.

What do you think?

Slaves working in a mine. Ancient Greece/Public Domain Image
Slaves working in a mine. Ancient Greece/Public Domain Image

DOES GOD APPROVE OF SLAVERY?

YES:

  •  Exodus 12:43-44, 20:17 (circumcise (servant) slaves)
  • Exodus 21:2-6 (God’s rules for buying slaves and splitting up their families)
  • Genesis 21:16 (Law regarding stolen slaves)
  • Genesis 21:32 (Law regarding slave/ox accidents)
  • Matthew 8:7 (Perfect opportunity to condemn slavery. All he’d have to do is say, “Sure, I’ll heal him. But then you must set your slave free, because slavery is an abomination to God.” “Servant” – Greek Lexicon: 3816. παῖς (pais) Definition: a male child, boy, (b) a male slave.)

I believe Jesus did (and would) condemn slavery but translators and interpreters chose to omit that fact choosing instead to support their bias.

  • Luke 17:7-9 (Slaves should do what they’re told)
  • Ephesians 6:5 (Slaves must obey their masters “as unto Christ.”)
  • 1 Timothy 6:1-4 (This one’s just sad –“Servants” (Actual Greek “δοῦλοι” “douloi” “as slaves”) should treat their masters “worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.” This is especially true when both slave and owner are Christians. Anyone that teaches otherwise is a proud know-nothing)
  • 1 Peter 2:18 (Slaves should “be subject to [their] masters with all fear,” to the cruel as well as the good and gentle)

(There are 23 more YES Scriptures)

NO:

  • Isaiah 58:6 (Let the oppressed go free)
  • Matthew 23:10 (“Neither be ye called masters.”) Unfortunately, other Scriptures tell slaves to faithfully serve their masters, and women are told to serve and obey their husbands)
  • Galatians 3:28 (there are neither slave or free or men or women. In my opinion, one of the best Scriptures in the Bible)

(That’s are all I could find. Anyone know of others?)

In closing, if you are a true Christian you must follow the commands of your Savior Jesus Christ regarding nonbelievers, different races and people of different sexual orientations. Despite whatever age old tradition say to the contrary. If you do not follow his commandments well, eventually you will have to take that up with God (Matt 7:21-23, Matthew 22:36-40, 1 John 2:1-4, 9-11, 1 John 4: 11-13).

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Brien Pittman
Brien Pittman
Brien’s articles for FāVS generally revolve around ideas and beliefs that create unhealthy deadlock divisions between groups. He has received (minor) writing awards for his short stories and poetry from the cities of Portland, Oregon and the city of (good beer) Sapporo, Japan. In 2010 he was asked to present several articles for the California Senate Committee “Task Force for Suicide Prevention” and has been published by online magazines and a couple national poetry anthologies in print form.

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