Does the Bible Condone Slavery or Male Dominance?

 Click Here to LIsten to or Read the One Year Bible Lessons

Instructions for Christian Households

18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. 22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 

This is a passage that is often misunderstood to the deteriment of many and the societal view of the Christian church. Some think this passage means the bible condones slavery. Others, think it could be interpreted to mean that the bible endorses a husband to demand submission from his wife, or to be harsh with their kids. But that is not what it is saying at all.

First, note the Paul is describing the nature of relationships that already existed in the culture of the Colossians. It was a patriarchal society and slaves who worked for the masters was part of the social fabric of the culture and economy. We mustn't equate the slavery of Paul's day with the slavery in our history, which was often dehumanizing. 

If anything, Paul is commanding the Colossians to have reciprocity in their relationships. Though women were to submit to their husbands, the husband was to love his wife. The word used for love was "agape". This is the same word the bible uses for Jesus' unconditional and sacrificieal love for us. In Ephesians, Paul says that husbands should love their lives, as Christ loved the church giving himself up for her. So, clearly Paul is not advocating for husbands to dominate their wives. 

Though children were to obey their parents, as one of the Ten Commandments, parentswere not embitter their children. They were not to treat them so harshly that they would become discouraged. 

Finally, the relationship between a slave and his master is delineated. Slaves gave up their rights to their masters in exchange for a place to live and food to eat. Masters were not to abuse their slaves in any way but to treat them fairly. In Ephesians 6, Paul addresses the master's duty to their slaves. 

And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him. Ephesians 6;9

And probably the most important part of Paul's instruction is verses 23-24,

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,  since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Colossians 3:23-24

In every one of these relationships, a person did not submit to the other for the sake of the person, but because they were submitting to the Lord. Their motivation was to please the Lord. Also, Paul also promised them a heavenly reward for such obedience. All of us probably report to someone in some area of our lives. I.e. Most people have a boss at work. In different kind of way we serve the government by being obedient to its laws. But the important thing is that as we serve others out of reverence to Christ, it is Him who we are serving. 

Our service to him will reflect who are true master is. Our vertical relationship with God is reflected in every horizontal relationship we have on earth!