Slavery

  • Final Greetings for Philemon

    Philemon 23-25

    We who profess the name of Christ must follow Him even when He gives rules we do not like. People who are tempted to commit homosexual acts may not like the call to turn from these deeds, but if they ...Read More

  • Going Above and Beyond

    Philemon 21-22

    Though the Bible allowed provisions for indentured servitude, which was a humane alternative to such harsh punishments for failure to pay one’s debts, such as debtor prisons, nevertheless the seeds for the abolishment for all forms of slavery were ...Read More

  • Free Consent

    Philemon 14

    Today’s passage reminds us, as John Calvin says, that “no sacrifices are acceptable to God but those which are freely offered.” Because we still struggle with the presence of sin in our hearts and minds, we must daily be ...Read More

  • Onesimus’ Return

    Philemon 11-13

    Do you have relationships with other believers that would enable you to say with Paul that you would be sending away your “heart” if you were to move or otherwise lose the chance for face-to-face fellowship? God did not make ...Read More

  • Sin’s Reality and the Ideal

    Philemon 8

    As today’s study shows, understanding the cultural background of a passage in Scripture is important to figuring out why an author says what he says. In turn, as we hope to show in future studies, knowing this historical context ...Read More

  • Joy and Comfort in Christ

    Philemon 7

    As we think about the believers in days gone by, it is always important that we acknowledge the truth about the things that they did. We do these believers no favors if we pretend that participation in ungodly systems of ...Read More

  • To Philemon and Company

    Philemon 1-3

    Take some time today to read through the entire epistle to Philemon. Consider how the different aspects of the letter combine to present Paul’s argument. Pick a verse or two to meditate upon; repeat it to yourself a few ...Read More

  • Just and Fair Masters

    Colossians 4:1

    By way of application, those who are managers or who otherwise supervise people should keep in mind the principle behind the proper treatment of slaves by masters. Employees are not to be regarded as mere cogs in a machine, and ...Read More

  • No Favored Parties

    Colossians 3:25

    We can be tempted to make excuses for our behavior based on our backgrounds or conditions in which we find ourselves. But we must always remember that the Lord requires righteousness from us no matter our condition, and we must ...Read More

  • Conceited Know-Nothings

    1 Timothy 6:2b-4a

    It can be easy to know all of the right methods for interpreting the Word of God and yet at the same time not obey its precepts. This happens all too often in the Christian community when believers, consciously or ...Read More

  • Christian Slaves and Masters

    1 Timothy 6:1-2a

    Dr. John MacArthur writes, “Displaying a proper attitude of submission and respect, and performing quality work, help make the gospel believable” (The MacArthur Bible Commentary, p. 1,797). Those who profess Christ and yet are insubordinate to their employers or ...Read More

  • The Slavery of the Flesh

    Galatians 4:8–11

    Martin Luther writes, “Whoever then seeketh righteousness by the law, imagining that God being angry and threatening must be pacified with works, can never find so many good works as are able to quiet his conscience, but still desires more ...Read More

  • The Law and Slavery

    Galatians 3:26–4:20

    How many of us are really comfortable with the level of Christian growth we have attained at this point in our lives? Would God’s assessment of our level of maturity bring honor or shame? While you yet have time ...Read More