THE BIBLE AND SLAVERY
What does the Bible have to say about the matter of slavery? The answer might suprise you. I am going to call on the Apostle Paul, the writer of a good portion of the New Testament, to be our witness.
First, it is important to know the greek word that is translated servant in the verses I am going to quote. The word is “doulos” {doo'-los}. The definition, according to the Strong’s concordance is : a slave, bondman, man of servile condition. Out of a total of 127 times the word appears, it is translated as servant 120 times, bond 6 times, and bondman 1 time. With this brief foundation, lets consider some questions and the answers given in the Word of God, the Bible.
What sholuld be the attitude and actions of a slave toward his master?
Ephesians 6:5-8
“Servants (slaves), be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants (slaves) of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond (slave) or free.”
Colossians 3:22
“Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:”
1 Timothy 6:1
“Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.”
What should be the attitude of a master toward his slave and of the master toward his Master?
Ephesians 6:9
“And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.”
Colossians 4:1
“Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.”
What should a runaway slave do to make things right with his master? And what should the master of that slave do to be right with his Master?
Philemon 1:10-16
“I beseech thee for my son Onesimus (a slave), whom I have begotten in my bonds: Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?”
Revelations 9:8
And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.
Revelations 9:9
And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.
Revelations 9:10
And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.
Philosophy of Christian Education , Christian Schools
Deuteronomy 4:40
Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever.
Deuteronomy 5:10
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.
Deuteronomy 7:9
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
Deuteronomy 5:2
The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.
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