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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: Thanks, Mark. What a great ramble! The teaching that we are slaves of Christ is powerful. (I also love it when Paul talks about being in chains for the Gospel, and freedom in Christ, in the same breath. You know that he is experiencing what he preaches. The slavery theme is very similar.) Thank you, also, for putting slavery in some kind of historical perspective. In the Roman world, some slaves were very priveledged (for example, the secretary of a land-owner would be literate and live a relatively comfortable life). Other slaves, however, would be treated very harshly indeed. Paul makes no distinction between various situations... if only we knew whether he meant it as a blanket statement, or if he knew the particulars of the slaves concerned. So here is another angle. Perhaps it is not the slaves place to protest his condition... going along with your statement that, if God has put him in that situation, who is he to object. (I feel a bit awkward writing that, as I am loath to attribute such conditions to God...) But another part of the question is, what should OTHERS do to help the slave. Paul writes Philemon, to encourage him to release his slave. If we are not to stand up for our own freedoms, perhaps we ARE to stand up on others behalf. For most people, controlling a docile worker, will not be moved to gratitude, but to further work load. The passive stand, if taken by everyone, leads to deterioration rather than justice. While you say the Bible downplays issues of social change, the Bible, from beginning to end, is filled with appeals for justice and mercy. This concern for justice - which was very political, when you look at the prophets - provides a powerful backdrop for the question of slavery. |