Why God and Jesus support we have slaves?

Question

Leviticus 25:44-46
44 " 'Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves. 45 You may also buy some of the temporary residents living among you and members of their clans born in your country, and they will become your property. 46 You can will them to your children as inherited property and can make them slaves for life, but you must not rule over your fellow Israelites ruthlessly.

1Peter 2: 18-19
18Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.

Luke 12:47
47"That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows.

Answer 1

Thanks for posting this question. Though I really don't know the answer, I'd be glad to read the answers of other people.

Answer 2

The Bible does not specifically condemn the practice of slavery. It gives instructions on how slaves should be treated (Deuteronomy 15:12-15; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 4:1), but does not outlaw the practice altogether. Many see this as the Bible condoning all forms of slavery. What many people fail to understand is that slavery in Biblical times was very different from the slavery that was practiced in the past few centuries in many parts of the world. The slavery in the Bible was not based exclusively on race. People were not enslaved because of their nationality or the color of their skin. In Bible times, slavery was more of a social status. People sold themselves as slaves when they could not pay their debts or provide for their family. In New Testament times, sometimes doctors, lawyers, and even politicians were slaves of someone else. Some people actually chose to be slaves so as to have all their needs provided for by their master.

Answer 3

The people of the day habitually had slaves, it was a way of life, not to be compared to slavery that occured in Africa, it was a trade, and many slaves were like what we today call, nannies, housekeepers, chauffeurs, that the wealthy aquire. these people usually stay with the same employer and their sons and daughters as well become part of the household at times.

In Peter 18 you miss the message it is not about slavery it is about how one conducts himself in life, the message of this passage is that whatever you do in life you do it keeping God in your conscious that way you will do it to the best of your ability and this is pleasing to God.

You know that beaten could have been translated wrong, you could also say suffer many blows, as any employee who undermines their boss and supervisors are disciplined. You cannot take the Bible and try to apply it to our Society but rather it shows how the Society of that time lived. No where will you read that it was sanctioned, God accepted it because the people chose to live that way and He helped His people set guidelines.

Answer 4

"THE MEANING AND USE OF THE WORD "SLAVES"

The New Testament uses the word "slave" frequently. In the KJV the Greek word "doulos" is translated "servant," and one who serves as a .servant" is usually translated "minister."

There is a difference between a servant and a slave. A "servant" is one who is privately employed to perform household services--one who serves another. A "slave" is one who is bound in servitude to another person or group of persons as an instrument of labor-usually one who is coerced to serve.

The Bible says, "Let as many servants as are under the yoke, count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and his doctrine may not be blasphemed. And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved" (1 Timothy' 6:1 2, NKJV). The words "servants under the yoke" indicate clearly that the reference is to slaves and not to privately employed household servants. Thus, many translations use the better English word "slaves" (for those bound in servitude to another), instead of the word "servants."

"The Scriptures seem to be ambiguous on the subject of slaves and slavery. Neither the Old Testament nor the New Testament condemns slavery, or calls for its abolition. The New Testament, in fact, instructs slaves to obey their masters.

In the Old Testament era, no Hebrew could permanently become the slave of another. Slaves had to be freed when they paid the debt for which they were sold. Also, in the seventh year of their service, whether or not the debt was paid, they had to be released. And when the Year of Jubilee arrived, all slaves were set free.

Slavery in the Roman world did not generally involve inhuman treatment. Slaves often managed money, guarded children, cooked food, and sometimes were even family doctors. We generally associate the word "slave" with the ideas of forced subjection, involuntary service, and harsh treatment. Those terms are not accurate descriptions of slavery in the Roman Empire."

Answer 5

God knows the nature of man on earth and was constantly forgiving us our transgressions, even to the point of putting his son into our hands that we might learn how better to live in peace. Having a slave around is not living in peace if that slave is not happy, so God gives instruction as how to attain peace with slaves. Its rather barbaric to we who dislike slavery, but even working for someone is a form of slaverywhen you examine it.

Answer 6

the Word Slave in the original Hebrew context is referring to a servant - a person who was in charge of the house cleaning, cooking and receiving guests! Jesus was talking about that!

if you want to know what a slave was read Exodus and you'll see how the Pharaoh had many slaves including the Jews!

Answer 7

Leviticus is talking about the culture of its time - a culture now obsolete.

The New Testament scriptures are NOT supporting slavery. They are supporting the law of its time.

If today's law included slavery, then Christian slaves will treat their masters with respect.

Answer 8

Here's a little tip for you, and it might be hard to hear but:

The Bible is just a collection of texts written by a bunch of different people, over different periods of time, in 3 different languages, that a bunch of other dudes later on decided to try to translate and put together into one book and call it "The Bible". These dudes didn't even completely agree on what should be in and what shouldn't be in.


Those who would like to tell you that this collection is one singular book, one 'end all be all' 'gospel' written by God, need to look at ACTUAL history.

Answer 9

the flesh is of little consequence. those in difficult circumstance find it much easier to understand God while the rich and powerful usually perish never finding happiness or fulfillment.
slavery is the way of man, not God. the gospel is about spiritual freedom.

Answer 10

that wasn't a question and because times have changed dramatically in the past two thousand years. plus you cant own people. its not right. thats why god helped moses free his people. LET MY PEOPLE GO! haha i make myself laugh