Why Did Christians Have Slaves, and Does the Bible Condone Slavery?

Imagine walking into a church in the 1800s and hearing a pastor preach a sermon justifying slavery using scripture. Now imagine the weight of sitting in the same pews today, knowing that history, and asking, “How could they get it so wrong?” It’s a question that challenges the integrity of our faith and the moral authority of the Bible: Why did Christians own slaves, and does the Bible actually condone slavery?

If you’ve ever wrestled with this question, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most complex and emotionally charged topics in Christian history. But today, we’re going to confront it head-on—not with sugar-coated answers, but with the intellectual and spiritual depth this question demands.

Let’s start with a harsh truth: Christians did own slaves. In fact, slavery was often justified by misusing scripture. But the real question is this: Was this a failure of Christianity itself, or a failure to understand Christianity? And what does the Bible really say about slavery?

Part 1: Contextualizing the Bible’s References to Slavery

Understanding Ancient Slavery

When we read the Bible, we must first understand the context. Slavery in the ancient world—both in the Old Testament and the New Testament—looked very different from the race-based chattel slavery of the 17th to 19th centuries.

In the ancient Near East, slavery was often tied to debt, warfare, or poverty. People would sell themselves into servitude to survive or repay a debt. While this system was deeply flawed, it was not driven by the racial ideologies that defined the Atlantic slave trade.

Consider this: The Bible, particularly in the Old Testament, places significant restrictions on slavery that were unprecedented in the ancient world. For example, in Exodus 21:16 (NIV), the law explicitly condemns kidnapping and selling someone into slavery:
"Anyone who kidnaps someone is to be put to death, whether the victim has been sold or is still in the kidnapper’s possession."

This directly opposes the kind of slavery practiced in the American South, which was rooted in the kidnapping and trafficking of African people.

The Limits and Ethics of Ancient Slavery

Further, the Mosaic Law included protections for slaves that were unheard of in other ancient cultures. In Deuteronomy 15:12-15, Hebrew slaves were to be freed after six years of service:
"If any of your people—Hebrew men or women—sell themselves to you and serve you six years, in the seventh year you must let them go free."

Slaves were also to be treated with dignity, reflecting the broader biblical theme that all people are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). This wasn’t abolitionism as we know it, but it was a radical departure from the norms of the ancient world.

Part 2: The New Testament and the Question of Endorsement

Did Jesus Condemn Slavery?

Critics often ask, “If slavery is so morally abhorrent, why didn’t Jesus explicitly condemn it?” The short answer: Jesus didn’t come to reform human institutions; He came to transform human hearts.

Jesus’ mission was to inaugurate the Kingdom of God—a kingdom where love, equality, and justice reign. The seeds of abolition were sown in His teachings, even if He didn’t explicitly call for the overthrow of the Roman institution of slavery.

Take the Golden Rule, for example, in Matthew 7:12:
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."

If applied consistently, this principle undermines the very foundation of slavery.

Paul’s Letters: Subverting the System

The Apostle Paul’s writings are often cited as evidence that the Bible condones slavery, particularly passages like Ephesians 6:5:
"Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ."

At first glance, this seems troubling. But we must read Paul in context. Paul wasn’t endorsing slavery; he was speaking to people who were living within an entrenched social system. His goal was to teach Christians how to live out their faith regardless of their circumstances.

In fact, Paul planted the seeds of abolition in passages like Galatians 3:28:
"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Even more radical is Paul’s letter to Philemon. He writes on behalf of Onesimus, a runaway slave, urging Philemon to receive him back “no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother” (Philemon 1:16).

This wasn’t just a personal plea; it was a theological statement about the dignity and equality of all people in Christ.

Part 3: The Tragedy of Christian Complicity

How Did Christians Get It So Wrong?

If the Bible contains the seeds of abolition, why did so many Christians defend slavery? The answer lies in human sin and the misuse of scripture.

Throughout history, people have twisted the Bible to justify their own agendas. Pro-slavery theologians selectively quoted verses while ignoring the broader biblical themes of justice, mercy, and human dignity.

This wasn’t just a failure of interpretation; it was a failure of discipleship. It was a refusal to let the gospel transform not just individual hearts but entire systems of oppression.

A Sobering Reminder

The history of Christian complicity in slavery is a stark reminder that we must constantly return to the core teachings of Jesus. It’s not enough to call ourselves Christians; we must live out the radical love and justice of Christ in every area of life.

Part 4: The Bible’s Vision of Freedom

Freedom in Christ

Ultimately, the Bible’s message is one of liberation. While it speaks into specific historical contexts, its overarching narrative points to freedom—both spiritual and physical.

Consider Isaiah 61:1, a prophecy fulfilled in Jesus:
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners."

This is the heart of the gospel: liberation from sin, oppression, and every form of bondage.

The Role of Christians Today

As Christians, we are called to carry this vision forward. We must confront injustice, whether it’s human trafficking, systemic racism, or economic exploitation. The gospel compels us to be agents of reconciliation and restoration in a broken world.

Conclusion: A Gospel of Radical Equality

So, does the Bible condone slavery? The answer is both simple and profound: No. The Bible doesn’t condone slavery as we understand it today. Instead, it points us toward a radical vision of equality and freedom in Christ—a vision that challenges every form of oppression.

The real tragedy is not the Bible’s message but humanity’s failure to live up to it. And as Christians, we must own that history, repent of it, and work tirelessly to ensure that the gospel is never again used to justify injustice.

As we close, let me leave you with a challenge: Reflect on how the gospel calls us to confront modern forms of slavery and oppression. How can you embody the radical love of Christ in a world still marked by inequality and injustice?

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Let’s not just be hearers of the Word but doers—living out the truth of a gospel that sets all people free.