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NASB | Titus 2:9 ¶ Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Titus 2:9 ¶ Urge bond-servants to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be pleasing and not talk back, |
Subject: Slavery |
Bible Note: Hi JustReadMark, The Slave/Master relationship is an earthly contrivance. The Law included provisions to limit the extent of a slave's service, but it also included provisions that the slave could permanently be bound to their master. (Deut. 5, 15, other places also.) Slavery was not always undesirable. Kidnapping was also addressed in the Law (I can't think of the ref. :-( ). Offenders were to be stoned. Slaves were often in that position for a specified amount of time, in order to pay off a debt. The NT also, as you mentioned (really, you did most of my work for me ;-) ), gives rules for slaves and masters, but nowhere is a blanket order given for the release of all slaves. (In the OT, this was to be done on the Sabbath year, but then you could again have slaves.) Here is a perspective #4: 1Co 7:21 Were you called as a slave? It does not matter to you. But if you are able to be free, rather use it. 22 For the one called while a slave in the Lord is a freed man of the Lord. And likewise, the one called while a free man is a slave of Christ. (litv) Here Paul is saying that if you can improve your situation to give you greater advangtage, use it in your service to the Lord. He is also saying that the way man sees things is not the way God sees them. Slavery in a capitalist society is more subtle, but let's face it, if I quit my job, it will be just a matter of time till, while not a slave owner, but bankers, and tax collectors, and a few others will be hunting me down. But in Christ, I am free, and these others are the true slaves. Paul's letter to Philemon, I think, should be thought of as a personal appeal to Philemon, for the personal betterment of Onesimus. Paul does not say "Free him, because it's wrong for you to have slaves." Rather he says, "wouldn't it be better if he were a beloved brother than a slave?", as if to say that the slave/master relationship reduced their ability to fellowship. So I am aware of one place that says its better to gain your freedom if you can, and one that says you can have a better relationship with your friend than your slave. These things make sense to me. But we are the Lord's slaves. If Jesus wants me to serve by being a slave to a harsh master, who am I so question that. Our God is able to put us where He wants us. He may wish to show this evil master His love, through the patient and kind obedience of a undervalued and mistreated slave, or employee. I will agree with the idea that a master and slave cannot be "equal" within this worldly scheme of things. But each will stand before God, and to the slave, Jesus will judge how they obeyed their master. To the master, Jesus will judge how they treated their slave. The whole importance of social change, status change, and my temporal situation is greatly downplayed in scripture. My heart, my mind, my relationship with God, and how I treat others - these things are what God tells us to concern ourselves with. He promises to take care of the rest, and He knows a lot better that we do. I hope something in all this rambling helps! Love in Christ, Mark |