please reach out to prison fellowship ministry to request a Bible Thanks!

I’m not an expert in lifestyle issues from the time of the NT writers. But I think it’s safe to say that ownership of actual slaves ran the gamut from oppressive masters/mistresses to gentle masters/mistresses. The challenge for Bible translators is to understand the meaning of the text as it was understood by the first-century hearers, and then to translate that meaning into terminology that gives modern readers the same message.

It’s interesting that Paul speaks directly to slaves (doulos) in Ephesians 6:5-8. Paul exhorts those who are enslaved to “obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. . . . Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.” And then Paul speaks directly to the masters in verse 9: “Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.”

It’s clear that Paul is not condoning slavery. He is simply speaking into the culture of the day, where slavery was common. And his exhortation to the masters is countercultural—in his day and in modern cultures where slavery still exists.

Thank you for your question. Will pass it along