Col 3:22-24
22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only while being watched and in order to please them, but wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters, 24 since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ.
2007-02-04 07:48:32 · 14 answers · asked by skeptic 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
This verse (which was written by Paul, incidentally) was a concession to the times in which they were living. It in no way commands or condones slavery, but it does give a guideline for godly behavior for those who were slaves.
And as usual, you fail to quote the entire verse in context:
Col 4:1 "Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven."
Paul made sure that if people followed the cutural convention of owning slaves, then they knew that they were responsible for treating them loving and fairly. He didn't advocate slavery by any means.
2007-02-04 08:12:15 · answer #1 · answered by Wolfeblayde 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Actually, no. We Christians believe that the Holy Spirit inspired men to write scripture. By the way, if you actually studied, you would know that the value of truth of scripture relates to the truths of salvation. So, when Paul is exhorting slaves to serve their masters out of love, the "truth" of salvation is not in the mentioning of slavery (besides, we actually don't hear him saying that slavery is good), but saving "truth" in expounding the Christian virtues of love, even towards those who oppress us, and living the state of life we find ourselves in as if it were service to the Lord. Just a side note on slavery: It is a shame that some Christians used this verse to condone slavery. Let's remember however, that when it came to the African slave trade that the different African tribes were the ones selling members of enemy tribes as slaves to the whites. And I don't think they were necessarily Christians. Not excusing anyone, just putting into perspective. Next question.
2007-02-04 16:20:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus had no problem with slavery. Why should you?
All the white folks in the South who had slaves went to church every Sunday, and Jesus loved them.
Religion is basically a method for promoting society's mores at any given time.
Also those things don't matter nearly as much as whether you believe in Jesus and tell him he's the greatest. He cares about that more than he cares about slaves or whatever.
Church people will answer your question, and they will weasel around it in clever fashion. They are weasels.
2007-02-04 16:09:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. And the loving Jesus also inspired people to justify slavery in the United States and many other forms of oppression and injustice.
Go figure.
2007-02-04 16:06:38 · answer #4 · answered by Babu Chicorico 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes he did because this world doesn't really matter and ones place in this world in one way or another is the place given us to occupy by God. Why bother asking why when we really need to do the best job at whatever it is that we can do and trust that God knows all and it will be o.k. in the end. Many great Saints thanked God for a lowly position here on Earth because they felt it almost guaranteed them a higher position in Heaven
2007-02-04 16:12:23 · answer #5 · answered by Midge 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
like all the other verses you've quoted, yes, this is inspired by God. So what kind of point are you trying to make? I'm sure it will be wickedly clever. Paul was referring to servants. No, the Bible does not promote slavery as so many atheists doggedly accuse.
2007-02-04 16:10:14 · answer #6 · answered by 4 Shades of Blue 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Now your getting tarted; back then slavery was accepted;Jesus knew noone would give it up so He said basically if your gonna have slaves you better treat them good.What is so hard to understand???
2007-02-04 15:55:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Paul wrote that and he was not saying we should keep slaves just that we should all abay God. if some one was a slave they could show they were christian by not being rebellious.
2007-02-04 15:58:34 · answer #8 · answered by Mim 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You really have a problem, buddy.
And a total lack of understanding of ancient cultures.
..or maybe just an ignorant view of things.
2007-02-04 15:53:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is something similar to that there,It means you should be good even when nobodies there to see you.
It also tells you that God can always see you.
2007-02-04 16:25:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋