Paul new testament slavery

The story of slavery in the Roman Empire at the time of the New Testament is a complicated one. Many have asked why the early church didn't universally denounce slavery, but the characteristics of slavery were not universal enough to allow for such a simple, sweeping response.

Slavery in New Testament times had shades of early American chattel slavery, modern sex trafficking, Old Testament debt bondage, and even apprenticeships and internships. Some slaves were kidnapped, and other slaves owned slaves of their own.

Paul new testament slavery verses

Some worked at hard labor their whole lives while others became business partners with their owners. These individual situations call for individual judgments.

Source of slaves
Slavery in the Roman Empire was not based on ethnicity or color, although ethnicity did play a role in determining what a slave might do.

Greeks and Egyptians tended to be better educated while Europeans were valued more for strength and stamina.