I Timothy for Beginners
Paul's Teaching on Slavery
Teaching Strategy
The focus of this lesson is on Paul’s teachings concerning slavery. Of special note is the relationship that Christians have regardless of political, social, economic or other differences. Emphasis is also placed on how we can use our status to serve the Lord and each other.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Know: Understand the impact of slavery on the lives of early Christians.
- Feel: Recognize the importance of faithfulness to the Lord regardless of social status.
- Do: Demonstrate to all the love required of faithful followers of Jesus.
Body of the Lesson
Discussion Questions
Below are suggested questions to use during the guided discussion portion of the lesson. There are also suggested responses to questions to help students grasp the various concepts. These are provided to assist the discussion and are not considered as “right or wrong” responses.
The intent of this question is to help students realize that the church represents the Lord in the world. Some of the issues may have been wrong morally but still were part of that society. Changes in these areas eventually occurred in order to bring them into line with God's will. Sometimes this change was gradual, sometimes radical. In our world today we face issues other than slavery. In Paul's instructions to Timothy, we see that slavery was an issue for that period. In today's environment we might switch that out for the issue of abortion. Although completely immoral and against God's will, abortion remains a part of many societies and must be dealt with within the confines of the law.
Also keep in mind that social issues are secondary to the primary issue of salvation. When we convert people to Christianity, we can then continue to guide them into living by His will in all things.
Paul and Peter teach us to submit to authorities (Romans 13:6-7; I Peter 2:13-25). By doing so we recognize they hold positions sanctioned by God. We may disagree with them, but we are to honor their position.
Our view on slavery is generally based on our western historical model. In such a model, the focus is on cruel and unjust oppression. In the period of Paul and Peter's writing, it was an integral part of the social and economic model. Regardless, masters had to recognize their responsibility to be just, and slaves/servants were to fulfill their role honorably.
In many of our modern societies, we don't have slavery, but we still serve our managers or supervisors etc.. We must, as Christians, respect and honor them as we fulfill our various roles.
Why people became slaves – The result of war; sold into slavery by their family (Genesis 17:12); born into slavery; to make restitution for a crime (Exodus 22:3); to pay off a debt (II Kings 4:1); to escape poverty and destitution (Exodus 21:2-6); Forced to become a slave through kidnaping and piracy.
Jewish laws regarding slavery – Several Old Testament laws prescribe the treatment and status of slaves.
Leviticus 25:2 – A Jew could not hold another Jew in permanent slavery because of debt or self-sale.
Exodus 21:7-11 – Female slaves and families were protected from abuse.
Several general prohibitions were based on humane treatment among God's people (could not kill a slave as in the pagan world).
During the New Testament period most attitudes about slavery were changing although differences remained between Jewish and Gentile practices. This is due in large part to the number of slaves in the Roman Empire. It is estimated that a third of the population were slaves in one form or another. There was also a movement at the time to grant slaves more freedom.
The most common form of slavery was household slaves. It was not a source of general social unrest, especially since it was so common in Roman society. The early church was a mix of various social situations, especially slave and free. They recognized their social position but placed emphasis on their relationship with God first. Slavery was not specifically denounced by the apostles for three primary reasons:
As a social system, slavery was already passing away. Paul placed emphasis on loving relationships among believers (I Corinthians 7:21-22; Ephesians 6:8; Colossians 3:22; Colossians 4:1) not their social rank.
There was nothing to replace it as an economic model. There was no middle class to absorb a large number of freed slaves. It is not an excuse for slavery, but a realization that stability was necessary and the removal of this system without a sound system to replace it would lead to many more problems worse than most experienced in their slave/master relationships. Furthermore, keep in mind that it was a legal system that must had to be dealt with using the existing laws.
Slavery was temporary. Our conversion to the Lord is permanent. Through it we take an eternal view beyond the temporary situation in which we live. We take on a new identity as slaves to God but are free and equal to one another in Christ. Our freedom is from sin, an eternal status not based on economic conditions.
Our task is to build the Kingdom of God regardless of the world order in which we find ourselves. We certainly are aware of social issues and concerns, but our focus is bringing salvation through the freedom from sin offered only through Jesus Christ. This world and its man-made institutions will pass away but God's Kingdom is eternal.
Our task is to further strengthen and encourage one another to live faithfully. This is done regardless of our status in any social or economic structure.