In the 1st century, about 1 out of 3 people in Italy and 1 out five elsewhere were slaves. People could become slaves through war, debt, selling themselves, being born to slave parents, or being kidnapped.

Sadly, he Roman Empire relied heavily on slaves for labor, making them crucial to society and the economy. Many slaves faced abuse and brutality, but some had significant responsibilities and authority. Slaves could marry, have families, and sometimes even manage small plots of land.

However, unlike the slavery in the Americas in the 1600s, ancient slavery wasn't based, generally, on race and affected people from various backgrounds. Slaves had no rights and their conditions varied: some worked in harsh conditions like fields and mines, while others had skilled jobs or trusted roles. Sometimes, slaves were even better off than free laborers. However, if a slave attacked their master, all slaves in the household could be killed, and rebellion was often punished by crucifixion until Christian emperors changed the laws.

One might have expected that with the spread of Christianity, slavery would have ended. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. Although Emperor Justinian tried to abolish slavery during his rule (527-565), it continued to grow. After the fall of the Roman Empire, it evolved into serfdom. The Crusades even increased the slave trade, and in Venice, Christian slaves were sold to Muslims.

In the modern era, around 24 million Africans were enslaved, many of whom ended up in America under Christian masters. It’s important to recognize that African enslavement by other Africans was common for centuries. However, from the 15th century onward, the scale and cruelty of the slavery inflicted were extreme and shocking. People were kidnapped, families torn apart, and cruelty was rampant. This raises the question: what were Christians and Baptists doing during this time?

By the late 1700s and early 1800s, some Baptists in the South argued that since the Old Testament sanctioned slavery and the New Testament didn't condemn it, slavery couldn't be a sin. Unfortunately, Baptists like Fuller, Dagg, Boyce, and Broadus took this wrong stance. It's undeniable that slavery played a significant role in the creation of the Southern Baptist Convention in 1845, even though Northern Baptists pushed the issue, leading Southern Baptists to form a new convention.

Fortunately, it was Christians who played a crucial role in ending slavery. Leaders like William Wilberforce, Granville Sharp, John Wesley, and Charles Finney, along with Quakers, Moravians, Methodists, and some Baptists, opposed slavery despite great challenges. Their efforts led to the abolition of the slave trade in Britain in 1807 and throughout the British Empire in 1827. In the U.S., the slave trade ended in 1808, but slavery itself was not abolished until 1865.

The key point is that where Christian influence was strong, slavery came to an end.

Yet, sadly, slavery still exists in parts of the world where the gospel of Jesus Christ has not yet reached, but where the gospel has taken root, slavery has disappeared.

+++++

BIBLICAL OVERVIEW

1. Specific to Titus: Paul, however, does not address the morality of slavery itself. He simply instructs Christian slaves on how to behave toward their masters, whether they are believers or not (Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians 3:22-4:1; 1 Timothy 6:1-2).

2. Regulation, Not Ordainment: The Bible regulates slavery but does not ordain or require it (see Exodus 21, Leviticus 25, Deuteronomy 15, Ephesians 6:5-9, Colossians 3:22-4:1, 1 Timothy 6:1-2, Titus 2:9-10, 1 Peter 2:18-25). It’s important to note that slavery is not presented as a divine institution, as seen in the absence of an Old Testament grounding in Ephesians 6:5-9.

3. Freedom: Paul encourages gaining freedom if possible (1 Corinthians 7:21-24) but advises not to be consumed by the desire for it.

4. Gospel's Role: The New Testament lays the groundwork for recognizing slavery as sinful and promotes its eventual end through the transformative power of the gospel (Galatians 3:28; Philemon 16).

5. Non-Violence: Scripture does not advocate for bloodshed or rebellion against evil social structures. Instead, it promotes change through the gospel, grace, and love (Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:21; 2 Corinthians 10:4).

6. Eternal Perspective: Paul shifts the perspective on slavery, highlighting that, from an eternal viewpoint, a slave can be seen as superior to their master in the spiritual realm. The true master is Christ, and the believing slave holds the gospel, which is the true treasure. From this perspective, the unbelieving master is at a disadvantage (1 Corinthians 7:22; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:24).

SUMMARY

In short, neither the Old nor the New Testament condemns slavery outright. Instead, the Bible acknowledges different social roles and focuses on how people should treat each other. The teachings on slave and master relationships are similar to those on employer and employee relationships (Exodus 21:1-11; Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians 3:22-25).

The New Testament’s application of its teachings has led to the gradual elimination of slavery’s abusive practices. As Christianity spread, it contributed to the end of brutal slavery in the Roman Empire and the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade through the efforts of Christian leaders like John Wesley, George Whitefield, William Wilberforce, and William Pitt (Galatians 3:28; Philemon 16).

Scripture does not endorse rebellion or revolution for gaining rights. Instead, it emphasizes the importance of living out Christian values in all circumstances. Paul advises slaves to serve their masters sincerely, reflecting Christ’s transformative power (Ephesians 6:5-6; Colossians 3:22-24; 1 Timothy 6:1).

For many Christians, the workplace is a key mission field where their faith is tested. The way believers conduct themselves—through patience, kindness, and integrity—can impact their witness more than any church invitation (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:14-15). Paul teaches that our primary goal in work is to honor Christ, with the assurance of eternal reward from Him (Revelation 20:12-13).