36 Bible Verses about Slavery, Spiritual

They answered him, We are Abraham's seed, and have never served any; how sayest thou, That ye shall be free? Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, say I to you, That every one doing sin, is servant of sin. And the servant remains not in the house forever; the Son remains forever.read more.
If the Son make you free, ye shall be truly free.

Therefore let not sin reign in your mortal body, to listen to it in its passions. Neither present ye your members weapons of injustice to sin: but present yourselves to God, as living from the dead, and your members weapons of justice to God. For sin shall not rule over you: for ye are not under law, but under grace.read more.
What then? shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace It may not be. Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves servants for obedience, ye are servants to whom ye listen; either of sin to death, or of obedience to justice? And grace to God, that ye were servants of sin, but ye listened from the heart to the type of teaching in which ye were delivered. And freed from sin, ye were subdued to justice.

What then shall we say? The law sin? It may not be. But I knew not sin except by the law: for I knew not lust, if the law said not, Thou shalt not eagerly desire. And sin, having taken occasion by the command, wrought in me every lust. For without law sin dead. And I was living without law once: and the command having come, sin came back to life, and I died.read more.
And the command was found to me which for life, this for death. For sin having taken occasion by the command, deceived me completely, and by it killed me. Therefore truly the law holy, and the command holy, and just, and good. Was then good death to me? It may not be. But sin, that it might appear sin, by the good working death in me; that sin might be sinful to excess by the command. For we know that the law is spiritual: and I am fleshly, sold under sin. For what I work I know not: for what I would not, this I do; but what I hate, this I do. And if what I would not this I do, I consent to the law that it is good. And now I no more wish it, but sin dwelling in me. For I know that in me dwells no good, (that is, in my flesh:) for to will lies near me; but to work good I find not. For not what good I would, do I; but the evil I would not, this I do. And if what I would not, this I do, I no more work it, but sin dwelling in me. I find therefore a law to me, wishing to do good, that evil lies near me. For I rejoice in the law of God, according to the man within: And I see another law in my members, fighting against the law of my mind, and taking me captive to the law of sin being in my members. I an oppressed man: who shall save me from the body of this death? I return thanks to God by Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore truly with the mind I serve the law of God; and with the flesh the law of sin.

For once we also were unwise disobedient, deceived, being slaves to eager desires and various pleasures, living in vexation and envy, hated, and hating one another.

Promising them liberty, they being servants of corruption: for by whom any is conquered, by him has he been made to serve.

Therefore in the liberty which Christ has freed us, stand ye, and be not again held in the yoke of servitude.

And I say, for as long time as the heir is a child, he differs nothing from a servant, being lord of all; But is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. So also we, when we were children, were subjugated under the world's elements:read more.
And when the completion of the time was come, God sent his Son, born of woman, born under the law, That he might redeem them under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. So that thou art no more a servant, but a son: and if a son, also an heir of God through Christ.

For ye have not received the Spirit of servitude again for fear; but have received the Spirit of adoption as a son, in which we cry, Abba, Father.

Since therefore the young children participated in flesh and blood, he also likewise participated with them; that by death he might leave unemployed him having the strength of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them, as many as by fear of death were always to live bound by slavery.

And before the feast of the pascha, Jesus knowing that his hour had come that he should pass out of this world to the Father, having loved his own in the world, he loved them to the end. And supper having been, the devil having already cast into the heart of Judas Iscariot, of Simon, that he should deliver him up; Jesus knowing that the Father has given all things to him into the hands, and that he came out from God, and retired to God;read more.
He arises from supper, and lays down the garments; and having taken a linen cloth, he girded himself. Then casts he water into a washing vessel, and began to wash the feet of the disciples, and to wipe with the linen cloth with which he was girded. And he comes to Simon Peter: and he says to him, Lord, washest thou my feet? Jesus answered and said to him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know after these. Peter says to him, Thou shouldest never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, Except I wash thee, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter says to him, Lord, not my feet only, but the hands and head. Jesus says to him, He washed has no need but to have the feet washed, but is wholly clean: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew him delivering him up, therefore he said, Ye are not all clean. When therefore he washed their feet; and took his garments, going to recline again, he said to them, Knew ye what I have done to you? Ye call one Teacher and Lord: and ye say well; for I am. If therefore, I washed your feet, the Lord and Teacher; ye also ought to wash the feet of one another: For I have given you a pattern, as I have done to you, also should ye do. Truly, truly I say to you The servant is not greater than his Lord; neither the sent greater than he having sent him. If ye know these, happy are ye if ye do them.

But Jesus, having called them, said, Ye know that the rulers rule over their nations, and the great exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever should wish to be great among you, let him be your attendant; And whoever would be first among you, let him be your servant:read more.
As the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his soul a ransom for many.

And Jesus having called them, says to them, Ye know that they thinking to be first of the nations rule over them; and their great ones exercise authority over them. And it shall not be so among you: but whoever should wish to be great among you, shall be your attendant: And whoever of you should wish to be the first, he shall be the servant of all.read more.
For also the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his soul a ransom for many.

For let this be in mind among you, which also in Christ Jesus; Who, being in the form of God, thought not robbery to be equal to God But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, born in the likeness of men:read more.
And found in fashion as man, he humbled himself, being obedient until death, and the death of the cross. Wherefore God has also exceedingly exalted him, and favored him as a gift with a name above every name: That in the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of the heavenlies, and of terrestrial things, and things under earth And every tongue should avow that the Lord is Jesus Christ, to the glory of the Father.

And now freed from sin, and subdued to God, ye have your fruit to consecration, and the end life eternal.

None can serve two lords: for either he will hate one and love the other; or hold firmly to one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

No servant can serve two lords: for he will either hate one, and love the other; or he will hold firmly to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Paul, servant of Jesus Christ, called sent, separated to the good news of God,

And all, whatever ye do, work ye from the soul, as to the Lord, and not to men; Knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the reward of inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

James, servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion, health.

As free, and as not having liberty for a covering of wickedness, but as the servants of God.

Simon Peter, servant and sent of Jesus Christ, to them having received by inheritance equally honoured faith with us in the justice of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ:

Therefore, brethren, we are not debtors to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if ye live according to the flesh, ye shall die: and if by the Spirit ye kill the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.read more.
For ye have not received the Spirit of servitude again for fear; but have received the Spirit of adoption as a son, in which we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself testifies with our spirit, that we are children of God: And if children, also heirs; truly heirs of God, and coheirs of Christ; if indeed we suffer together, that we may be also glorified together.

I no more call you servants; for the servant knows not what his lord does: and I have called you friends; for all which I heard of my Father I made known to you.

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, having brought up Isaac his son upon the altar Thou seest that faith cooperated with his works, and from works was faith perfected. And the writing was completed, saying, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for justice: and he was called the Friend of God.

Then said Jesus to the Jews having believed him, If ye remain in my word, ye are truly my disciples. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We are Abraham's seed, and have never served any; how sayest thou, That ye shall be free?read more.
Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, say I to you, That every one doing sin, is servant of sin. And the servant remains not in the house forever; the Son remains forever. If the Son make you free, ye shall be truly free.

Tell me, those wishing to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it has been written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondmaid, and one by the free. But he truly of the bondmaid was born according to the flesh; and he of the free through the promise.read more.
Which things are spoken figuratively: for these are the two covenants; one truly from mount Sinai, begetting to bondage, which is Agar. For Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and now stands in the same rank With Jerusalem, and is in a servile condition with her children. But Jerusalem above is free, which is mother of us all. For it has been written, Be cheered, O barren, bearing not; break out and cry, she travailing not: for many more the children of the desolate than she having a husband. And we, brethren, as Isaac, are children of promise. But as then he born according to the flesh drove out him according to the Spirit, so also now. But what says the writing? Cast out the bondmaid and her son; for the son of the bondmaid shall not inherit with the son of the free. Therefore, brethren, we are not children of the bondmaid, but of the free.

What then? shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace It may not be. Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves servants for obedience, ye are servants to whom ye listen; either of sin to death, or of obedience to justice? And grace to God, that ye were servants of sin, but ye listened from the heart to the type of teaching in which ye were delivered.read more.
And freed from sin, ye were subdued to justice. (I speak as man through the weakness of your flesh:) for as ye presented your members to uncleanness and iniquity; so now present ye your members servants to justice for consecration. For when ye were servants to sin, ye were free to justice. Therefore what fruit had ye then of what ye are now ashamed? for the end of these, death. And now freed from sin, and subdued to God, ye have your fruit to consecration, and the end life eternal. For the purchasing the provisions of sin, death; and the grace of God, life eternal in Christ Jesus our Lord.

For being free from all, I have subjected myself to all, that I might gain the more.

For we proclaim not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus.

For ye were called to liberty brethren; only not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but through love serve ye one another.

Who then is the faithful and discerning servant, which his lord set over his attendance, to give them food in due season Happy that servant which his lord, having come, shall find doing thus. Truly I say to you, That he shall set him over all his possessions.read more.
But if that servant say in his heart, My lord delays to come; And he should begin to strike the fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with those intoxicated; The lord of that servant shall come in a day that he expects not, and in an hour which he knows not, And he shall cut him in two equal parts, and he shall set his portion with the hypocrites: and there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, which the Lord will set over his household, to give the allowance of wheat in due time? Happy that servant, which his Lord, having come, shall find so doing. Truly I say to you, that he will set him over all his possessions.read more.
And if that servant should say in his heart, My Lord delays to come; and should begin to strike the servants and maids, also to eat and drink, and to be intoxicated; The lord of that servant shall come in a day which he expects not, and in an hour which he knows not, and he will cut him in two equal parts, and set his portion with the unbelieving.

For as a man going abroad, called his own servants, and delivered them his possessions: And to one he truly gave five talents, and to one, two, and to one, one; to each according to his own power; and he quickly went abroad. And he having received five talents, having gone, worked with them, and he made other five talents.read more.
Likewise he having the two also, gained he also other two. And he having received one, having departed, dug in the earth, and concealed his lord's silver. And after much time the lord of these servants comes, and lifts up the word with them. And he having received the five talents, having come near, brought the other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst me five talents: and I have gained other five talents.

Then he said, A certain honourable man went into a country far off to take unto himself a kingdom, and to return. And having called his ten servants, he gave them ten coins, and said to them, Attend to business, till I come. And his citizens hated him, and sent an embassy after him, saying, We wish not this to reign over us.read more.
And it was in his coming back, having received the kingdom, and he spake to have these servants called to him, to whom he gave the silver, that he might know who had attended to any business. And the first approached, saying, Lord, thy coin has gained ten coins. And he said to him, Well, good servant: because thou west faithful in the least, be thou having power over ten cities.

And which of you having a servant ploughing or feeding, who will say to him having come out of the field, Quickly having come, recline? But will he not say to him, Prepare what I shall sup, and, being girded, serve me, till I eat and drink; and after these, thou mayest eat and drink? He has no favor to that servant, for he did the things appointed. I think not.read more.
So also ye, when ye do all appointed you, say, That we are useless servants: for what we ought to do, we have done.

For the anxious expectation of the creation awaits the revelation of the sons of God. For the creation was subject to vanity, not voluntarily, but by him having subjected in hope, That also the creation itself be freed from servitude of corruption to the freedom of the glory of the children of God.read more.
For we know that all creation groans together and travails together until now.