In the biblical world, slavery was a common social and economic institution, and Scripture addresses it in various contexts. The book of Exodus establishes principles for the treatment of slaves, including the punishment of those who steal or kidnap people to enslave them, as seen in Exodus 21:16. The New Testament letters, such as Ephesians and Colossians, instruct Christian masters to treat their slaves with kindness and respect, as in Colossians 4:1. Additionally, passages like Galatians 3:28 and Philemon 1:16 emphasize the spiritual equality of all people, regardless of their social status, highlighting the importance of compassion and fairness in relationships between masters and slaves.
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Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Whoever kidnaps another man must be put to death, whether he sells him or the man is found in his possession.
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord.
Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but even to those who are unreasonable.
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Whoever does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord.
All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited. Those who have believing masters should not show disrespect because they are brothers, but should serve them all the more, since those receiving their good service are beloved believers. Teach and encourage these principles.
If a man strikes his manservant or maidservant with a rod, and the servant dies by his hand, he shall surely be punished. However, if the servant gets up after a day or two, the owner shall not be punished, since the servant is his property.
And masters, do the same for your slaves. Give up your use of threats, because you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him.
Slaves are to submit to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,
Slaves are to submit to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not stealing from them, but showing all good faith, so that in every respect they will adorn the teaching about God our Savior.
Your menservants and maidservants shall come from the nations around you, from whom you may purchase them. You may also purchase them from the foreigners residing among you or their clans living among you who are born in your land. These may become your property. You may leave them to your sons after you to inherit as property; you can make them slaves for life. But as for your brothers, the Israelites, no man may rule harshly over his brother.