In the Bible, slaves submitting to masters is seen as a call for obedience and respect within the hierarchical social structure of the time, as reflected in passages like Ephesians 6:5-8 and Colossians 3:22-24. This submission is often contextualized within the broader Christian principle of serving others as though serving Christ, emphasizing integrity and sincerity in one’s work.
Scripture
5 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ,
6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man,
8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.
Biblical Submission of Slaves to Masters
The concept of slaves submitting to masters in the Bible reflects the sociocultural context of ancient times, where slavery was a common institution. Passages such as Ephesians 6:5-8 and Colossians 3:22-24 highlight the expectation of obedience and respect within this dynamic, underscoring the importance of fulfilling one’s duties with sincerity and a heart aligned with serving Christ. The verses urge slaves to work “as unto the Lord,” which lifts the act of servitude from mere obligation to a form of worship, suggesting that one’s labor, regardless of the societal status, holds intrinsic value when performed with the right intention.
Additionally, the New Testament teachings implied a transformative perspective on relationships, promoting a sense of mutual respect and equality among believers. For instance, Galatians 3:28 proclaims that in Christ, there is neither slave nor free, reinforcing the idea that spiritual unity supersedes social hierarchies. While the original texts may address the realities of their time, the broader message of love, service, and dignity challenges believers to uphold compassion and justice, encouraging a reevaluation of how authority and submission are understood in contemporary contexts. This framework not only recognizes the complexities of historical practices but also inspires ongoing discussions about the implications of power dynamics in modern society.
The theme of slaves submitting to masters also finds resonance in the book of 1 Peter, where the apostle speaks to the behavior of servants in the context of their relationships with their masters. Here, the text encourages submission with the understanding that such conduct can serve as a witness to the faith. By enduring unjust treatment gracefully, servants are depicted as embodying Christ’s own suffering, illustrating a key tenet of Christian discipleship: the call to demonstrate integrity and resilience in adverse conditions. This perspective profoundly shifts the focus from mere compliance to a more profound form of spiritual witness, suggesting that the attitudes and actions of slaves could reflect divine principles even within an oppressive structure.
Furthermore, the teachings found in the Old Testament provide a deeper understanding of the nature of servitude. Laws concerning slavery in texts such as Exodus reveal regulations intended to protect the rights of slaves and ensure humane treatment. This suggests that even in a system designed around ownership, there existed an acknowledgment of the dignity of individuals. The biblical code sought a balance between duty and compassion, encouraging masters to act justly and highlighting moral accountability. This historic framework provides a foundation for contemporary discussions on authority, urging modern believers to champion equitable practices and foster environments where dignity is preserved, thereby promoting a reimagined relationship between those in power and those under their influence.
The Principle of Authority and Order
The biblical concept of slaves submitting to masters reflects a broader principle of authority and order within society. This dynamic illustrates the importance of structure in various relationships, whether in the workplace, family, or community. The submission of slaves to their masters can be seen as a call to respect the roles and responsibilities assigned to individuals, promoting harmony and cooperation. This principle emphasizes that every role, regardless of its nature, has a purpose in the larger framework of society, encouraging individuals to fulfill their duties with integrity and diligence.
The Call to Faithfulness and Service
Another significant meaning behind the submission of slaves to masters is the call to faithfulness and service. This concept encourages individuals to approach their work and responsibilities with a spirit of dedication, regardless of their circumstances. It highlights the idea that one’s value is not determined by their social status but by their commitment to serve others and fulfill their obligations. This perspective fosters a sense of purpose and encourages individuals to find meaning in their work, promoting a culture of excellence and accountability.
The Reflection of Divine Relationships
The relationship between slaves and masters can also be viewed as a reflection of the divine relationship between God and humanity. In this context, submission is not merely about hierarchy but about understanding one’s place within a larger divine plan. This dynamic illustrates the importance of humility, obedience, and trust in God’s authority. It serves as a reminder that all individuals are called to submit to a higher power, fostering a sense of unity and purpose that transcends earthly relationships. This perspective encourages believers to view their earthly roles as part of a greater spiritual journey, emphasizing the importance of aligning one’s actions with divine will.
How to Embrace Authority and Foster Trust in Faith
Embracing authority in faith is about recognizing that true leadership comes from a place of humility and service, much like Jesus demonstrated throughout His ministry. To foster trust, we must first cultivate a personal relationship with God, allowing His Word to guide our actions and decisions. This means being open to the teachings of Scripture and the wisdom of those in spiritual authority, while also being discerning and grounded in our own faith. As we learn to submit to God’s will, we can model this trust in our interactions with others, creating an environment where vulnerability and honesty thrive. Remember, trust is built over time through consistent actions and genuine love, so let’s strive to be examples of Christ’s love and authority in our communities, encouraging others to do the same.
Bible References to Slavery and Submission:
Colossians 3:22-25: 22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
1 Peter 2:18-25: 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.
19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
1 Timothy 6:1-2: 1 Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled.
2 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 service are believers and beloved.
Titus 2:9-10: 9 Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,
10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.
Philemon 1:8-21: 8 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required,
9 yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus—
10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment.
11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.
12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart.
13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel,
14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord.
15 For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever,
16 no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me.
18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account.
19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self.
20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.
21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.
Exodus 21:2-11: 2 When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing.
3 If he comes in single, he shall go out single; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him.
4 If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out alone.
5 But if the slave plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’
6 then his master shall bring him to God, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall be his slave forever.
7 “When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do.”
8 If she does not please her master, who has designated her for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has broken faith with her.
9 And if he designates her for his son, he shall deal with her as with a daughter.
10 If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, or her marital rights.
11 When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do.
Leviticus 25:39-46: 39 “If your brother becomes poor beside you and sells himself to you, you shall not make him serve as a slave.
40 They shall be with you as hired workers and sojourners. They shall serve you until the year of the jubilee.
41 then he shall go out from you, he and his children with him, and go back to his own clan and return to the possession of his fathers.
42 For they are my servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as slaves.
43 You shall not rule over him ruthlessly but shall fear your God.
44 As for your male and female slaves whom you may have: you may buy male and female slaves from among the nations that are around you.
45 You may also buy from among the strangers who sojourn with you and their clans that are with you, who have been born in your land, and they may be your property.
46 You may bequeath them to your sons after you to inherit as a possession forever. You may make slaves of them, but over your brothers the people of Israel you shall not rule, one over another ruthlessly.
Deuteronomy 15:12-18: 12 If your brother, a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you, he shall serve you six years, and in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you.
13 And when you let him go free from you, you shall not let him go empty-handed.
14 You shall furnish him liberally out of your flock, out of your threshing floor, and out of your winepress. As the Lord your God has blessed you, you shall give to him.
15 You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this today.
16 But if he says to you, ‘I will not go out from you,’ because he loves you and your household, since he is well-off with you,
17 then you shall take an awl, and put it through his ear into the door, and he shall be your slave forever. And to your female slave you shall do the same.
18 It shall not seem hard to you when you let him go free from you, for at half the cost of a hired worker he has served you six years. So the Lord your God will bless you in all that you do.
1 Corinthians 7:20-24: 20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called.
21 Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.)
22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ.
23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.
24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.