Colossians – Week 8 – Day 1

READ 

Colossians 3:22-23 

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. 23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 

Although slavery was not condemned in the Bible, there were many protections for them under the Mosaic law. When the principles of the New Testament were applied by evangelicals this brought an end to slavery in Great Britain and the United States of America. Some modern Bible translations use “servant” or “bondslave” to render the common word for “slave” in this passage. This passage tells Christian slaves how to act. 

REFLECT 

The word for “slave” means a “bound one.” Are you bound to the Lord by your appreciation of what He has done for you?  

RESPOND 

Help educate your friend about slavery in Israel under the Mosaic law by reading Deuteronomy 15:12-18. This reveals the background for the word “bondslave.” Cruel slavery has existed throughout the history of mankind. Thank the Lord for countries who have outlawed it.