Introduction
God reveals to us that he created man in his image, a spirit endowed with attributes resembling His own: to reason, to form rule of right, to manifest various emotions, to will, to act, and He gave man a body suited to such a spirit, that He created man “male and female,” That He made the woman “out of man.” Out of creation God perfectly designed us to be one with Him and all were equally with others. Do, then, the facts in man’s natural history exhibit this departure from the laws of life and spirit? Do they prove that “All men are created equal?” Do they show that every man and every woman of Africa, Asia, Europe, America, and the islands of the seas, was created each one equal in body and mind to each other man or woman on the face of the earth, and that this has always been?
Although slavery is not a sin, it is a degraded condition. Many believe that slavery will pass away, in the fullness of Providence. The idea here is that Ham will be ever lower than Shem; Shem will be ever lower than Japheth. However, all will rise in the Christian grandeur to be revealed. Paul’s view on slavery addressed those who were believers, both master and slave. As Paul addressed the church his primary objective was to achieve a working relationship that required a humble spirit and a pouring out of fellowship in love. This paper will search through the scriptures concerning Paul’s view on slavery as it relates to distinctions, righteousness, and freedoms in Christ.
No Distinctions
Paul has a clear view of slavery regarding master and slave. In the book of Ephesians, Paul in favor of obedience and respect which neither condemned nor condoned the institution of slavery, but it does characterize a very important fact; it remind believers that we were also servants, “slaves” of Christ and bound to do the will of God . Paul further suggested that God would reward all good work rather slaves or master. (Ephesians 6:5-9). As outlined in vs. 5-9, slaves were to obey, and respect their masters. Perhaps, these were Christian slaves under Christian masters. In fact Paul used in comparison the services rendered through Christ; “Just as you would obey Christ like slaves of Christ, do the will of God as if you were serving the Lord”. Likewise masters are to treat their slaves in the same manner which pleases the Lord in their dealings with their slaves. Masters were not to threaten or accuse their slaves unjustly, because they themselves were servant with the Master who is an example to them. This, of course, is the Lord and He is the Master over both master and slaves. Man’s consciousness revealed that his master is not from the early dominion but from a heavenly throne. The master’s responsibility is to do the will of God from the heart; therefore, they became forbears with their slaves.
(In 1Timothy 6:1-2), Paul suggested that slavery (doulio) could be sociologically, literally “subjugated” stressed the politico-sociological meaning as it related to a ministerial sense. No exceptions are made; every Christian slave was to act accordingly with the following directive, which made a distinction only on the basis of whether the master is not (v.1) or is (v.2) himself, a believer.
Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers, rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good services are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things . ” Slaves with masters are directed “not to disrespect them but designate an willingness to consider and to take a real interest in one another, the very form of (agape) thus, in a positive form, the slaves are being told to love their Christian master because “they are brothers.
In fact, slaves should be even better slaves performing the work of charity for their masters. Those who practice kindness devote self to care for material needs which are the connection among the gifts of the Spirit. In God’s view Paul teaches that the slave is told that before God there is no distinction; therefore the present earthy servitude had been transcended at the point which matter the most. Therefore he was to obey in singleness of the heart from the heart and with fear and trembling.
Slaves to Righteousness
Paul highlights in Romans (6:14-18), that believer were not under the law but under grace, which fulfilled the whole law. The Mosaic system consisted of the eternal laws which revealed the sin prevalent in human hearts; God’s grace placed the believer in Christ, and the Holy Spirit in the believer. Therefore a Christian does not have to sin; he or she can resist temptation and do what’s right. We obviously are the slaves of the one whom they offered themselves to obey (v. 7). Paul set forth two masters, one is sin, and the other is disobedience to God. “Choose for yourselves this day that you will serve rather God or Mammon” (Josh 24-25).
There is a difference in the outcome of choosing one or the other of these masters. Therefore choosing to sin leads to death however, choosing to obedience God as master leads to righteousness. This is important contextually because choosing Christ simply means to exchange one master from another. Thus their servitude to sin was replaced with servitude to God.
In (v. 14), the text proclaims, that “Sin will not rule over you”. There was one which has more probability in its favor than the rest, and that is this-that by law we were to understand that letter of the law, which cannot renovate the soul, and by grace, the grace of the Spirit, by which we are freed from depraved lust. It seems that there is here a consolation offered, by which the faithful were to be strengthened, lest they should faint in their efforts after holiness, through a consciousness of their own weakness.
Perhaps, Paul personified sin as an illegitimate slave master, one whose authority over the believers had been removed by the death of Christ. In (v.15), he expanded the contrasting of the old master, sin, with the new master, righteousness. Therefore reminding believer’s that righteousness canceled all slave masters. This righteousness to which obedience leads is the righteousness of personal growth in spiritual maturity. The apostle reminded his readers in Rome that they had broken free from the slavery of sin and become the willing servants of righteousness. Grace placed the believer under obligation to holiness and growth in righteousness. The yoke of the law cannot do otherwise than tear and bruise those who carry it. It follows, that the faithful must flee to Christ, and implored him to be the defender of their freedom; and as such he exhibited himself; for he underwent the bondage of the law, to which he was himself no debtor, for this end that he might, as the Apostle said, redeem those who were under the law .
By the word grace, we were to understand both parts of redemption, the remission of sins, by which God imputed righteousness to us, and the sanctification of the Spirit, by whom he formed us anew unto good works. The slavery of the readers to righteousness was therefore voluntary.
It seemed that because of his very nature man must be the slave of something. "Righteousness" here is the result of following Christian teaching, and it is the equivalent of godly living. It is righteous character and conduct.
Paul did not say that every believer take advantage of his or her freedom from sin's tyranny to become a slave of God. He said his readers had done so, and in this he rejoiced. Dedication to God is voluntary, not automatic for the Christian. If a believer does not truly dedicate himself or herself to God, he or she will continue to practice sin to greater extent than he would if he did present himself to God (v. 16).
Freedom in Christ
(1 Corinthians 7:20-23) tells us, “That each man must remain in the condition in which he was called. Don’t worry about it; but if you are able also to become free rather do that.” That is, in which he was called by the grace of God, and is to be understood of such a calling, station and business of life as is lawful, honest, and of good report; otherwise he ought not to abide in it, but betake himself to another. Don’t be troubled or uneasy with it; be anxiously to nothing bear the yoke patiently, so through servitude upon it as an objection to their calling, and contradiction to their Christian liberty, or as unworthy of, and a reproach upon they profession of Christ; why, because (v 22), “For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. “
In fact not of any civil calling, or call to an office; or of the outward but called by the ministry of the word only; but of an internal, special powerful, evangelical, and saving call by the grace of God; which is a person out of darkness into light, out of bondage into liberty, from their sinful compassion to the company and society of Christ and his people from themselves and their own righteousness, to the grace and righteousness of Christ, and out of the world unto a kingdom and glory “Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ. (v. 23), you were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.”
God has redeemed man from sin, Satan, the law and from among men; and also by such as are called by the grace of God, being in liberty are Christ’s servants, because those with his blood, therefore has a right unto them both to their person and service. Therefore choose for yourself to serve perfectly and agreeable . A Christian servant have an opportunity of making his escape from his master, or could he by any art, trick, and fraudulent method, obtain his liberty, it would be much more advisable to continue as a servant than to become free by any such means by recommending the gospel to them. (V. 24) says,” Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition is which he was called.”
This is, with tender affectionate appeal, brethren, the more to engage them to attend it; showing also that whatever difference there was in their civil state and condition, there was none in their religious one; they were all brethren, one of another they were his brethren, even the brethren of Christ . Therefore abide in the calling knowing he is in the state that will of God, he should be in, and as in the sight of God, who knows all men, and what is best for them, and who sees and observes all their actions and conduct of life; and with whom there is no respect of person, of bond or free, of master or servants; they are admitted equally to enjoy the same favors and privilege in the house of God; they have the same access to the throne of grace, and they enjoy the same communion with God; and therefore, should be con tent in their present situation, discharging the several duties of the station aright , and exercise a good conscience both towards God and man.
Conclusion
When we think about Paul’s views about slavery, let’s do our best to recognize that Paul’s presentation is to those who are believers. Believers are not supposed to live as slaves to man but most definitely live as slaves to God. We are to read God’s word, study His word, meditate on His word and allow the word of God to become our roadmap to life. We should become a slave to the word of God. When we read the word and follow the word, it sets us free because we express our faith in God and His word. The bible states, “He whom the Son sets free is free indeed.” Paul sought with all of his spiritual might to teach this freedom to man. If one is going to be a slave, then surely it should be to God, His word and His ways.
