عہد نامہ جدید میں انسانی غلامی سے متعلق تعلیمات کا مختصراً جائزہ

A CONCISE REVIEW OF NEW TESTAMENT TEACHINGS ON HUMAN SLAVERY

Abstract

This paper explores the teachings of the New Testament regarding human slavery, examining how it addresses both slaves and their[1] masters within the socio-cultural context of the early Christian world. While the New Testament does not explicitly abolish slavery as a legal institution, it redefines the moral and spiritual relationship between master and slave. Passages from Ephesians, Colossians, and 1 Peter urge slaves to obey their masters sincerely, while simultaneously commanding masters to treat their slaves with justice, fairness, and without threats. The epistle to Philemon is a pivotal example, wherein the Apostle Paul appeals for the acceptance of the runaway slave Onesimus as a beloved brother in Christ. Furthermore, Galatians 3:28 proclaims spiritual equality in Christ, transcending divisions of ethnicity, gender, and social status. This ethical re-framing of slavery laid the groundwork for future Christian movements advocating emancipation. By promoting the dignity of every individual and emphasizing mutual accountability before God, the New Testament introduced a transformative approach to slavery that emphasized inner freedom, spiritual brotherhood, and moral responsibility, even within a structure it did not legally dismantle. Ultimately, its message challenged prevailing norms and became a source of moral conviction for later Christian abolitionists.