Miscellaneous

Bible Quotes About Slaves

8 Scripture verses about slaves from the King James Version, with full verse text for study and meditation.

The Bible addresses the reality of slavery both as a social institution and as a spiritual metaphor. While Exodus 21:16 condemns the kidnapping and selling of people, emphasizing the sanctity of human life, passages like Ephesians 6:5 and Colossians 3:22 instruct servants to obey their earthly masters sincerely, as serving Christ. Spiritually, Jesus teaches in John 8:34 that all who sin are slaves to sin, highlighting the need for deliverance through Christ. Furthermore, Galatians 3:28 affirms that in Christ, distinctions such as slave and free are transcended, uniting all believers into one family.

Total Verses

Old Testament

New Testament

Top 8 Bible Quotes About Slaves

Exodus 21:16 — “And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.”
Job 31:13 — “If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me;”
John 8:34 — “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.”
Galatians 3:28 — “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Ephesians 6:5 — “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;”
Colossians 3:22 — “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:”
Colossians 4:1 — “Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.”
Philemon 1:16 — “Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?”

Old Testament Quotes About Slaves (2)

“And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.”

Exodus 21:16KJV

“If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me;”

Job 31:13KJV

New Testament Quotes About Slaves (6)

“Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.”

John 8:34KJV

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Galatians 3:28KJV

“Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;”

Ephesians 6:5KJV

“Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:”

Colossians 3:22KJV

“Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.”

Colossians 4:1KJV

“Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?”

Philemon 1:16KJV

Frequently Asked Questions About Slaves in the Bible

What does the Bible say about slaves?

The Bible contains 8 verses about slaves, covering this topic from Genesis to Revelation. Scripture provides guidance, instruction, and comfort regarding slaves through both the Old and New Testaments.

How many Bible verses are about slaves?

There are 8 Bible verses about slaves in the King James Version. These verses span multiple books of the Bible and cover various aspects of this topic.

What is the best Bible verse about slaves?

While many verses address slaves, the most well-known passages come from various books of the Bible. The best verse depends on your specific situation and what aspect of slaves you are studying.

Where in the Bible does it talk about slaves?

Slaves is discussed throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. You can find 8 references to this topic across multiple books including the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, and the Epistles.