Slavery is one of the most controversial topics in history, and it is often debated when discussing the Bible.
Many people wonder why the Bible mentions slavery and whether it supports or condemns it.
Some have used Scripture to justify slavery, while others argue that the Bible’s message is one of freedom and justice.
So, what does the Bible actually say about slavery?
Does God approve of it, or does He desire something better for humanity?
To fully understand, we must look at how slavery is addressed in both the Old and New Testaments and how biblical principles point to justice, love, and freedom.
Slavery in the Ancient World
Before diving into specific Bible verses, it is important to understand what slavery looked like in biblical times.
Slavery in the ancient world was not always the same as the slavery practiced in later history, such as the transatlantic slave trade.
In many cases, slavery in biblical times was a form of servitude due to debt, war, or social status.
Some people became slaves voluntarily to pay off debts or to survive economic hardship.
Others were taken as captives during wars.
While still a difficult and often unfair system, slavery in biblical times was not always based on race, nor was it always permanent.
Many cultures had systems where slaves could earn their freedom, and in some cases, they were treated as household servants rather than property.
Slavery in the Old Testament
The Old Testament acknowledges slavery as a reality in ancient society, but it also sets guidelines for how slaves were to be treated.
Rather than endorsing slavery, the laws in the Old Testament sought to regulate it and prevent abuse.
Exodus 21:2-6 gives instructions about Hebrew slaves:
If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years.
But in the seventh year, he shall go free, without paying anything.
If he comes alone, he is to go free alone; but if he has a wife when he comes, she is to go with him.
These laws show that Hebrew slaves were not to be treated as permanent property.
After six years, they were to be set free, giving them a chance to start over.
Leviticus 25:39-40 also commands kindness toward fellow Israelites who become slaves due to poverty:
If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and sell themselves to you, do not make them work as slaves.
They are to be treated as hired workers or temporary residents among you.
While slavery existed, God’s law placed limits on how slaves could be treated.
Kidnapping people and selling them as slaves was strictly forbidden.
Exodus 21:16 states:
Anyone who kidnaps someone is to be put to death, whether the victim has been sold or is still in the kidnapper’s possession.
This shows that forced slavery, especially through human trafficking, was condemned by God.
Slaves were also given rights and protections.
If a master abused a slave, the slave was to be set free (Exodus 21:26-27).
These laws, while not abolishing slavery outright, worked to prevent cruelty and injustice.
Slavery in the New Testament
By the time of the New Testament, slavery was still a widespread part of society, especially in the Roman Empire.
Many early Christians were either slaves themselves or had slaves in their households.
The apostles did not immediately call for the overthrow of slavery, but they did teach principles that challenged the system and planted the seeds for its end.
One of the most well-known passages about slavery is Ephesians 6:5-9:
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people.
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.
At first, this passage may seem to accept slavery, but looking deeper, we see something radical.
Paul commands masters to treat their slaves with kindness and respect, recognizing that both slave and master serve the same God.
This was a major shift from how the Roman world treated slaves.
Colossians 4:1 also tells masters:
Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
This teaching challenged the idea that slaves were just property.
It pointed toward a greater truth—that in Christ, all people are equal.
The Letter to Philemon: A Challenge to Slavery
One of the most powerful messages about slavery in the New Testament is found in the book of Philemon.
Philemon was a Christian who owned a slave named Onesimus.
Onesimus ran away and later met Paul, who led him to Christ.
Paul then sent Onesimus back to Philemon with a letter, urging Philemon to accept him not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ.
Philemon 1:15-16 says:
Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever—no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother.
Paul does not directly tell Philemon to free Onesimus, but his words imply it.
He tells Philemon to see Onesimus as an equal, not as property.
This was a revolutionary idea in a world where slavery was deeply ingrained in society.
It showed that Christianity was leading toward a new way of thinking—one where slavery had no place.
The Bible’s Message of Freedom
While the Bible does not explicitly demand the immediate abolition of slavery, it lays the foundation for a world without it.
Galatians 3:28 declares:
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 reveals God’s ultimate plan—a world where all people are equal in Him.
In 1 Corinthians 7:21-22, Paul encourages slaves to seek freedom if possible:
Were you a slave when you were called?
Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so.
For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person.
And in Luke 4:18, Jesus declared His mission:
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.
While Jesus was speaking spiritually, His message also applied to social injustices, including slavery.
How Christians Have Applied These Teachings
As Christianity spread, believers began to challenge slavery.
Over time, the teachings of Jesus and the apostles influenced laws and societies.
In history, many abolitionists were Christians who believed slavery was against God’s will.
Figures like William Wilberforce, Harriet Tubman, and Frederick Douglass fought against slavery because of their faith.
They believed that all people were made in God’s image and deserved freedom.
The Bible’s core message of love, justice, and equality inspired them to act.
Does Slavery Still Exist Today?
While slavery as an institution has been abolished in many countries, modern slavery still exists.
Human trafficking, forced labor, and exploitation continue to enslave millions.
The Bible calls Christians to stand against injustice.
Proverbs 31:8-9 commands:
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Believers are called to fight for justice, help the oppressed, and bring God’s love to those in bondage.
Final Thoughts
The Bible does not promote slavery, but it acknowledges its existence in ancient times.
Through both the Old and New Testaments, God placed limits on slavery, protected the vulnerable, and pointed toward a future of freedom.
Jesus and the apostles planted the seeds of equality and love that eventually led to the end of slavery in many societies.
While the world still struggles with oppression, Christians are called to stand for justice, love others, and live out the truth that in Christ, all people are free.
God’s heart is for freedom, not bondage.
And through His love, true freedom is possible for all.