Christians: Why do you follow Paul when he condoned slavery?

Question

"Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong he hath done: and there is no respect for persons."
Colossians 3:22-25

"Servants, 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 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 or free."
Ephesians 6:5-8

So Paul called upon slaves to be happy in their slavery, and to serve "according to the flesh".

"...whether he be bond or free" means servants as we would mean it, as well as slaves (who are not "free").

Answer 1

Wow. Just reading all the replies. I can't believe that Christians have attempted to rationalize slavery right out of the Bible. Talk about selective filtering! This just goes to show how people can rationalize away anything they really don't want to believe.

Answer 2

Everyone was a servant of Rome. The Jews were especially subservient to Rome in those days.

What choice did the Jews have? Paul merely said just follow along and do your job. But more importantly keep focused on your reward by following Christ. Paul wasn't condoning slavery he was just trying to save the servants (which does not necessarily mean slave) from some of the cruelty that would have been inflicted on them.

I suppose that if Paul lived today it would more likely be that he would have used the word "employee" instead of "servant".

Answer 3

The BIble does say "Servants obey in al things your master according to the flesh, not with eyservice as men plesures but in singleness of heart, fearing God. Slavery was very common during this time period, But paul wasnt condoning slavery, The Point is completly oopsite, he was using the master to slave relationship to express something very important. if you would read on it also says "masters give unto your servenats thatwhich is Just, knowing that you also hgave a Master in heaven." Colossians 4:2. So what exactly is paul trying to express here? he through using the example of the slave and master relationship, is expressing the fact the we should treat others with equal respect remebering that ultimately we will answere to God in heaven. therfore, if you have anyone serving under you. Treat thenm as Christ has treated you. Christ went so far as to Sacrifice His Body in death for our sins. we are to show the same kindess and pureheartedness as Christ. He is not condoning slavery. he is expressing the importance that we show ourselves approved worken of the Lord by showing others the same mercy as Christ has shown us.

What has Christ done? let me ask you a question........

Do you consider yourself to be a good person?

Have you ever lied (even once--fibs, white lies, etc.)? Ever stolen (anything--the value is irrelevant)? Jesus said, "Whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her, has committed adultery already with her in his heart." Have you ever looked with lust? If you have said "Yes" to these three questions, by your own admission, you are a lying, thieving, adulterer at heart; Have you ever hated someone? the BIble cals this Murder. Have you always put God first in thoughtmword and deed? in everything you have done? if you havent, you have broken the first and second commandment, because if God wasnt first, something else was, and thats caled idolatry. Keeping in mind that Nothing you’ve ever done is hid from His holy eyes. Will you be innocent or guilty on the Day of Judgment? Listen to your conscience. You know that you will be guilty, and therefore end up in Hell. That’s not God’s will. He provided a way for you and I to be Forgiven. He sent His Son to take our punishment: "God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." He was bruised for our iniquities. Jesus then rose from the dead and defeated death.
Your own so-called “goodness” can’t get you into heaven any more than mine could. Jesus is the only way to Heaven. He is the "Door," the only "mediator." There is salvation in no other name. If you will Confess and Turn from your sins (Repent) and put your full trust in Jesus as Lord and savior, God wil forgive you and grant you the gift of everlasting life.
God Bless
WDJD

Answer 4

And how do you get just Slaves out of all that, pray tell? This is a message not only to slaves but to all of us who are servants of God. Just as he said "bond or free". We are all servants to someone. If you have a job you are bound to your employer as a Christian to do a good job and obey your bosses, doing Christ proud in our serving others. Our largest bond is to God Himself, Paul even called himself a slave for the work of our Lord.

Answer 5

And where does Paul write that it's ok for anyone to purchase a slave? He doesn't. These passages pertain to people who are ALREADY slaves or slave-owners. They also serve to illustrate the Christian concept of submission to one's "master": this could be a literal master, or your employer.

If you want to know the WHOLE story about what Paul thought of slavery, read the Epistle to Philemon, who had a runaway slave named Onesimus. During this time, Onesimus met Paul and became Born Again. Paul loved Onesimus like a son, but urged him to return to Philemon; Paul urges Philemon to more than forgive Onesimus. Paul writes at Philemon 1:

"15 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord."

In other words, Philemon was urged to voluarily set Onesimus free.

Peace.

Answer 6

Slavery was a way of life in those days.He always said though if you can get free...do it.I'm sure he had no idea that anyones slavery would be abolished.All races were slaves back then,white ,black,everyone who was poor had a chance of being a slave.

Answer 7

Do you have a job? You are a servant of your employer. Are you advocating that we all quit our jobs?

Do you know the difference between a bond-servant and a slave?

Answer 8

UUUUUHhhh...stupid, he's talking about servants to God!! The way we act towards our earthly masters we should act the same way towards God!!

Answer 9

He meant "workers," you silly goose! Don't you ever feel like a slave to your bills, your boss, your mate, the government?

But that's not the real problem. We should be following Christ, not Paul! (do you need a text for that?)

Answer 10

I think he means servants as in household servants, not slaves.