In the biblical narrative, all people are created equal in God's sight, as Galatians 3:28 emphasizes. The institution of slavery is addressed in various passages, with Exodus 21:16 condemning the kidnapping and enslavement of others. The New Testament, particularly in Colossians 4:1 and Ephesians 6:5, urges slave owners to treat their slaves with kindness and respect, while Galatians 5:1 proclaims the freedom that comes through Christ, implying a spiritual liberation that transcends earthly bondage. Ultimately, the Bible teaches that all believers are equal and valued in God's eyes.
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There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed,
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.
Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.
If a man strikes and blinds the eye of his manservant or maidservant, he must let the servant go free as compensation for the eye. And if he knocks out the tooth of his manservant or maidservant, he must let the servant go free as compensation for the tooth.