Slavery in New Testament times was a complex institution, ranging from harsh manual labor to apprenticeships or debt-bondage, and it was not solely based on ethnicity or sex. The Bible does not condemn slavery outright as it was a cultural and historical norm; however, it instructs Christians how to act within society’s acceptance of slavery.
The New Testament condemned abusive slavery practices (1 Timothy 1:8-10; James 1:27; Romans 15:26; Galatians 2:10). God called both slaves and masters to act with integrity, humility, and love within the system, emphasizing that their salvation status is independent of social position (1 Corinthians 7:21-24; 1 Peter 2:19-20). Slaves were encouraged to pursue freedom if possible, yet their salvation and worth before God were unaffected by their status (1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:28). Masters were reminded that they too were servants of God and called to treat their slaves fairly, reflecting mutual submission through Christlike love (Ephesians 6:9).
Christians are called to prevent oppression, advocate for the vulnerable, and reflect Christ’s love in all relationships, prioritizing justice and mercy over social hierarchies (Philemon 1:15-16).
The story of slavery in the Roman Empire at the time of the New Testament is a complicated one. Many have asked why the early church didn't universally denounce slavery, but the characteristics of slavery were not universal enough to allow for such a simple, sweeping response. Slavery in New Testament times had shades of early American chattel slavery, modern sex trafficking, Old Testament debt bondage, and even apprenticeships and internships. Some slaves were kidnapped, and other slaves owned slaves of their own. Some worked at hard labor their whole lives while others became business partners with their owners. These individual situations call for individual judgments.
Slavery in the Roman Empire was not based on ethnicity or color, although ethnicity did play a role in determining what a slave might do. Greeks and Egyptians tended to be better educated while Europeans were valued more for strength and stamina. Most valued were Greeks, who were already educated in medicine or teaching, or any slave who could cook.
Most slaves were foreigners defeated in war. Enslaving them was an alternative to killing them outright or letting them go free to cause problems later.
In times of hardship, it wasn't uncommon for a family to abandon a newborn baby. There were no social services or ministries to care for them, and many of these babies were "rescued" and sold into slavery.
A child born to slaves was automatically a slave. But if the parents were freed slaves, their children had all the rights of a Roman citizen.
An impoverished family could also sell a child as a slave to raise money for the rest of the family. Often, the transaction would benefit the child, as well, as he would be in a more financially secure household.
If someone had an extensive amount of debt but no children to sell, he or she could be taken into debt bondage and forced to work off what was owed.
It was also possible for someone to sell himself into slavery. An ambitious man with few connections could gain access to education and the contacts necessary to be successful once he earned his freedom.
Slavery in New Testament times could involve anything from manual labor under harsh conditions to a nine-to-five job with little oversight. Many slaves were abused, but others were treated almost like family.
In later years Christians went to great lengths to free slaves—sometimes even selling themselves into slavery to raise the money to free others. Christians have been at the forefront of modern abolition movements, from William Wilberforce's efforts to the International Justice Mission. The expectations God has of His followers regarding slavery have never changed: support the poor to keep them out of slavery, ensure fair and generous treatment of slaves, and proclaim liberty for the captives and freedom to prisoners.
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