Category Archives: Things Paul Wrote On

Things Paul Wrote About – Reflections on Slaves

Posted on by
Reply

The first thing that caught my attention in this study of slaves was that the KJV only used the term once, in the Book of Revelation.  Some research I did revealed that King James’ England was a land with slaves that would have qualified as doulos.  Were the writers of James’ Bible trying to downplay slavery?  I cannot answer that question but it does show that you need to study the things you read, especially the Bible.

The second thing that stood out was that our paradigm of slavery was not condemned and denounced.  Paul clearly spoke against the slave traders but not owners.  The instructions to both the owner and the slave were to do right by the other.  Paul did encourage slaves to gain their freedom, if possible.  Slavery was a complex part of that society.  In the Greco-Roman world it is clear that there were levels of slavery.  In Israel, by Law, you could own foreign slaves and you could have Jewish slaves.  The Jewish slaves were to be freed every seven years, that may not have been obeyed as it is one of the things that brought about the downfall of Judah in the Book of Jeremiah.  To add to this thought a Jew could choose to stay the property of someone by having his ear pierced on the owner’s door frame.

The third thing that is challenging my thoughts is the terms lord and master. Those terms are easy to throw around, but in calling Jesus Lord and Master we are identifying ourselves as His. We are His doulos and need to look to Him as the one who controls ALL aspects of our life.  That is a very deep thought and one that is very easy to downplay. (see Slaves to Righteousness)

Things Paul Wrote About – (Other) Slaves

Posted on by
Reply

In this study the version of the Bible is a factor when you are looking for slave, servant, or bond servant; KJV renders doulos as servant while more modern translations use slave.  (See the post – Slaves) Paul used the term doulosmost of the time even when referring to his relationship with God.  But, Paul used several other terms that are translated servant/slave: 3610 – oiketesin Romans 14: 4 and once in Philemon; 1248 – diakoniain Romans 16: 1.  He also used 3000– latreuo(to serve for hire, minister, worship) in Romans 1:9 and 1 Timothy 1:3; 1398 – douleuoin Romans 6:6, 7:6, 7:25, 9:12, 16:18; Galatians 5:13; Colossians 3:24; 1 Thessalonians 1:9. ( See Slaves, these are from a Strong’s Concordance KJV and the italic numbers are the New Testament references.)

Paul wrote to believers who were gentiles in a Greek and Roman world.  Many of churches had slaves or slave holders, so in a sense some of what he was writing would have been very unusually to them.

Things Paul Wrote About – Slaves and Masters

Posted on by
2

Being aware of human trafficking and slavery you would want to find a clear answer to the problem/question in the Bible.  But in Paul’s writings and the rest of the Bible, it seems to send a mixed message!  Paul does not condemn slavery nor does he promote it.  In Exodus 21 there are guidelines for when Israelites sold themselves into slavery (bond servant).  Many of Paul’s letters mention slaves and masters, and how they are to view and treat each other:

slaves to master– Ephesians 6:5, Colossians 3:22, 1 Timothy 6:1,2a, Titus 2:9

master to slaves– Ephesians 6:9 Colossians 4:1; 1 Timothy 6:2b

So how should slavery be viewed?  The answer is one of the basic teachings of Christianity and is found in many places in Scripture: Luke 6:31 – do to others as you would have them do to you; Romans 13:9, Galatians 5:14 – Love your neighbor as yourself.  Slavery is wrong because no one wants to be treated and used as slaves!

Things Paul Wrote About – Slaves to Righteousness

Posted on by
2

Just as intense as being a slave to sin, we can be slaves to righteousness!  The more we “sell” ourselves to Jesus the more of Him we will want.  And just as we gave into sin, we have to put ourselves into submitted relationship with Jesus.

Jesus will be as gentile as sin was harsh.  He values us just as much as sin could care less about us.  He will use us for good as sin would use us for evil.

The verses below are my attempts at paraphrasing.

Romans 6:18– Because we are slaves to righteousness we are set free from sin. (16) If we are slaves being obedient to God it leads to righteousness.  (22) Now that we are slaves to God we are free from sin and can have the benefits of holiness that lead to eternal life.

Romans 7:25– Because of Jesus my Lord, God delivered me, so I choose to have my mind focused on God’s Law.

Romans 8:15– The Spirit of God does not bring fear but reminds us that we are children of the Father and can call on Him.

Galatians 4:7+8– God made us heirs because He made us His children, so we are no longer slaves to things that are not gods.  (5:1) We need to stand against being tied up by sin, because Christ made us free from things that use to have us all tied up.

1 Corinthians 9:19– Paul choose (sold himself) to be a slave of God, to serve people, so he could win as many as possible to Jesus.  (27) Paul choose to make himself a slave to righteousness and deny himself so he would not disqualify himself from the good things of God.

Things Paul Wrote About – Slaves to Sin

Posted on by
3

“Slaves” is a complex subject with many parts: slaves, servants, serve, bonds, bondsmen, and the ability to sell yourself to pay off debts in Israel.  Another part is the Gentile/Roman practices and views that Paul used in writing his Letters.  Another aspect to work with is KJV vs NIV and other translations.  The word “doulos” is the major word used for a slave in the New Testament (see notes in Slave); KJV translates it “servant” while NIV uses “slave”. Then there are about thirteen other words that reflect slavery and serving. I thought I would add chains into the word search but Paul connects then to prisoners more than slaves.

In Romans 6:19 Paul explains why he compares our spiritual life to one of slavery, it was very a common practice.   Just because it was a common practice does not mean that it was a good or moral practice.  I think that is why slave traders are singled out as someone who will receive a harsh judgment.

Doulos is a word that stresses the slave as serving the will of the master.  In Israel, you could sell yourself to someone and the Jubilee determined the price.  (I wish I could say that these men and women were treated better but you need to read Exodus 21.)   So, when Paul is using the servant/slave to describe our relationship to sin it is not a pretty one.  Sin controls everything in your life because you allow it to have that authority over you.

The verses below are my attempts at paraphrasing.

Romans 6:6– Our body was ruled by sin but we crucified our old self so we are no longer slaves to sin.

Romans 6:16– If you offer yourself to obey someone you are their slave; if it is sin, that leads to death. (17) We use to be slaves to sin but now we obey from our hearts and follow the teaching that has claimed our hearts.  (19)  Comparing us to slaves is something we can see every day in our lives.  We use to offer ourselves as slaves to impurity and we wanted more wickedness.  (20) If you do not want Jesus and righteousness just be a slave to sin.

Romans 7:14– I have sold myself to sin as a slave because I am unspiritual, I do not understand the Law of God. (25) My sin nature makes me a slave to the law of sin.

*Romans 8:18 – 27 is part of Paul’s use of the idea of slavery to/because of sin. Creation was also forced into slavery and is not free.  It also is waiting for the return of Jesus so it can share in the freedom that is to come.