Slavery in the Bible

Pro-Slavery

    The Christian Bible has multiple passages that state why it is for slavery. One of these passages from the book of Ephesians. It says, “slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear
, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ” (Ephesians 6: 5). This line explains how slaves are to obey and do everything their master tells them to do. They compare slave masters to Christ, which shows how they viewed the slave masters as good human beings. Another example is from 1 Peter. “Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh” (1 Peter 2: 18). The Bible addresses the slaves again and commands them to submit to their masters, even if they are harsh and cruel. A passage derived from the book of Titus also makes pro-slavery statements. “Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive” (Titus 2: 9 - 10). This verse addresses the slave owners this time. It tells them how they should treat their slaves. The Bible enforces strict behavior against the slaves and to treat them inhumanely.

Anti-Slavery

    Throughout the Christian bible, it is shown that God condemns slavery and many times took active steps to abolish it. In Galatians 5:1 it says “it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” This line shows how Christ sets everyone free and no one should be tied down by another. Christ believes everyone is equal and deserves the same as another. Expanding on that same sentiment in two places of the bible “kidnapping and selling people into slavery is condemned and punished severely. These verses directly oppose the type of slave trade that fueled modern chattel slavery,” (Exodus 21:16 and Deuteronomy 24:7). These passages from the bibles show how forcing someone into slavery can be seen as a serious sin. Overall, the bible teaches one to love their neighbor and treat them with the utmost kindness and respect. This creates the idea that everyone is equal because everyone is created by god and has value. With christian beliefs you can argue that slavery is against those beliefs and that Christ does not agree with those ideals.