36 Bible Verses about Slavery, Spiritual

They answered him, "We be Abraham's seed, and were never bond to any man: why sayest thou then, 'Ye shall be made free?'" Jesus answered them, "Verily, verily I say unto you, That whosoever committeth sin, is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house forever: But the son abideth ever.read more.
If the son therefore shall make you free, then are ye free indeed.

Let not sin reign therefore in your mortal bodies, that ye should thereunto obey in the lusts of it. Neither give ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: But give yourselves unto God, as they that are alive from death. And give your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Let not sin have power over you. For ye are not under the law, but under grace.read more.
What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law: but under grace? God forbid. Remember ye not how that to whomsoever ye commit yourselves as servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey: whether it be of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? God be thanked, that though ye were once the servants of sin, ye have yet obeyed with your heart unto the form of doctrine where unto ye were delivered. Ye are then made free from sin, and are become the servants of righteousness.

What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid: but I knew not what sin meant but by the law. For I had not known what lust had meant, except the law had said, "Thou shalt not lust." But sin took an occasion by the means of the commandment, and wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For verily, without the law sin was dead. I once lived without law: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I was dead.read more.
And the very same commandment which was ordained unto life, was found to be unto me an occasion of death. For sin took occasion by the means of the commandment and so deceived me, and by the selfsame commandment, slew me. Wherefore the law is holy: and the commandment holy, just, and good. Was that, then, which is good made death unto me? God forbid. Nay, sin was death unto me, that it might appear: how that sin by the means of that which is good, had wrought death in me: that sin which is under the commandment, might be out of measure sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin: because I know not what I do. For what I would, that do I not: but what I hate, that do I. If I do now that which I would not, I grant to the law that it is good. So then, now it is not I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me, that is to say, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing. To will is present with me: but I find no means to perform that which is good. For I do not that good thing which I would: but that evil do I, which I would not. Finally, if I do that I would not, then is it not I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me doeth it. I find then, by the law, that when I would do good, evil is present with me. I delight in the law of God, as concerning the inner man. But I see another law in my members rebelling against the law of my mind, and subduing me unto the law of sin, which is in my members. O wretched man that I am: who shall deliver me from this body of death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord: So then I myself in my mind serve the law of God, and in my flesh the law of sin.

For we ourselves also were in times past, unwise, disobedient, deceived, in danger to lusts, and to divers manners of voluptuousness, living in maliciousness and envy, full of hate, hating one another.

They promise them liberty, and are themselves the bondservants of corruption. For of whomsoever a man is overcome, unto the same is he in bondage.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and wrap not yourselves again in the yoke of bondage.

And I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth not from a servant; though he be lord of all, but is under tutors and governors, until the time appointed of the father. Even so we, as long as we were children, were in bondage under the ordinances of the world:read more.
But when the time was full come, God sent his son - born of a woman, and made bond unto the law - to redeem them which were under the law: that we through election might receive the inheritance that belongeth unto the natural sons. Because ye are sons, God hath sent the spirit of his son into our hearts, which crieth "Abba, father." Wherefore now art thou not a servant, but a son. If thou be the son, thou art also the heir of God through Christ.

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage to fear anymore, but ye have received the spirit of adoption whereby we cry, "Abba father."

Forasmuch, then, as the children were partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part with them, for to put down through death him that had lordship over death: that is to say, the devil. And that he might deliver them which, through fear of death, all their life time were in danger of bondage.

Before the feast of Easter, when Jesus knew that his hour was come, that he should depart out of this world unto the father; When he loved his which were in the world, unto the end he loved them; And when supper was ended, after that, the devil had put in the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him. Jesus, knowing that the father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;read more.
He rose from supper, and laid aside his upper garments, and took a towel, and gird himself. After that, poured he water into a basin, and began to wash his disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was gird. Then came he to Simon Peter. And Peter said to him, "Lord shalt thou wash my feet?" Jesus answered and said unto him, "What I do, thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter." Peter said unto him, "Thou shalt not wash my feet while the world standeth." Jesus answered him, "If I wash thee not, thou shalt have no part with me." Simon Peter said unto him, "Lord not my feet only: but also my hands and my head." Jesus said to him, "He that is washed needeth not, save to wash his feet, and is clean every whit. And ye are clean: but not all." For he knew his betrayer. Therefore said he, "Ye are not all clean." After he had washed their feet, and received his clothes, and was set down again, he said unto them, "Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me 'Master' and 'Lord,' and ye say well, for so am I. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet: ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his master; Neither the messenger greater than he that sent him. If ye understand these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, "Ye know that the Lords of the gentiles have domination over them. And they that are great exercise power over them. It shall not be so among you: But whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister, and whosoever will be chief, let him be your servant.read more.
Even as the son of man came, not to be ministered unto, but to minister: and to give his life for the redemption of many."

But Jesus called them unto him, and said to them, "Ye know well that they which seem to bear rule among the gentiles, reign as Lords over them. And they that be great among them exercise authority over them. So shall it not be among you: but whosoever of you will be great among you, shall be your minister. And whosoever will be chief, shall be servant unto all.read more.
For even the son of man came, not to be ministered unto: but to minister, and to give his life for the redemption of many."

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus: Which, being in the shape of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. Nevertheless, he made himself of no reputation, and took on him the shape of a servant, and became like unto men, and was found in his apparel as a man.read more.
He humbled himself and became obedient unto the death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God hath exalted him, and given him a name above all names: That in the name of Jesus should every knee bow, both of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under earth; and that all tongues should confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord unto the praise of God the father.

But now are ye delivered from sin, and made the servants of God, and have your fruit that ye should be sanctified; and the end: everlasting life.

No man can serve two masters: For either he shall hate the one, and love the other; or else he shall lean to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

No servant can serve two masters, for either he shall hate the one and love the other, or else he shall lean to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God, and mammon."

Paul, the servant of Jesus Christ, called unto the office to be an apostle, put apart to preach the Gospel of God,

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as though ye did it to the Lord, and not unto men, forasmuch as ye know that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of inheritance, for ye serve the Lord Christ.

James, the servant of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, sendeth greeting to the twelve tribes which are scattered here and there.

as free, and not as having the liberty for a cloak of maliciousness: but even as the servants of God.

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them which have obtained like precious faith with us in the righteousness that cometh of our God and saviour Jesus Christ.

Therefore, brethren, we are now debtors; not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: For if ye live after the flesh, ye must die. But if ye mortify the deeds of the body, by the help of the spirit, ye shall live, for as many as are led by the spirit of God: they are the sons of God.read more.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage to fear anymore, but ye have received the spirit of adoption whereby we cry, "Abba father." The same spirit certifieth our spirit that we are the sons of God. If we be sons, we are also heirs: the heirs, I mean, of God: and heirs annexed with Christ. If so be that we suffer together, that we may be glorified together.

Henceforth, call I you not servants: For the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth. But you have I called friends: For all things that I have heard of my father, I have opened to you.

Was not Abraham our father justified through works when he offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Thou seest how that faith wrought within his deeds, and through the deeds was the faith made perfect. And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, "Abraham believed God, and it was reputed unto him for righteousness," and he was called the friend of God.

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, "If ye continue in my words, then are ye my very disciples: and ye shall know the truth: And the truth shall make you free." They answered him, "We be Abraham's seed, and were never bond to any man: why sayest thou then, 'Ye shall be made free?'"read more.
Jesus answered them, "Verily, verily I say unto you, That whosoever committeth sin, is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house forever: But the son abideth ever. If the son therefore shall make you free, then are ye free indeed.

Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law: have ye not heard of the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a free woman. Yea, and he which was of the bondwoman, was born after the flesh: but he which was of the freewoman, was born by promise.read more.
Which things betoken mystery. For these women are two testaments, the one from the mount Sinai, which gendreth unto bondage, which is Hagar. - For mount Sinai is called Hagar in Arabia, and bordereth upon the city which is now Jerusalem - and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem, which is above, is free: which is the mother of us all. For it is written, "Rejoice thou barren, that bearest no children: break forth and cry, thou that travailest not. For the desolate hath many more children, than she which hath a husband." Brethren, we are, after the manner of Isaac, children of promise: But as then he that was born carnally, persecuted him that was born spiritually; Even so is it now. Nevertheless, what saith the scripture? "Put away the bondwoman and her son. For the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman." So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman: but of the freewoman.

What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law: but under grace? God forbid. Remember ye not how that to whomsoever ye commit yourselves as servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey: whether it be of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? God be thanked, that though ye were once the servants of sin, ye have yet obeyed with your heart unto the form of doctrine where unto ye were delivered.read more.
Ye are then made free from sin, and are become the servants of righteousness. I will speak grossly because of the infirmity of your flesh. As ye have given your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity, from iniquity unto iniquity: even so now give your members servants unto righteousness, that ye may be sanctified. For when ye were servants of sin, ye were not under righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things, whereof ye are now ashamed. For the end of those things is death. But now are ye delivered from sin, and made the servants of God, and have your fruit that ye should be sanctified; and the end: everlasting life. For the reward of sin is death: but eternal life is the gift of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all men, that I might win the more.

For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus to be the Lord, and preach ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

Brethren, ye were called into liberty, only let not your liberty be an occasion unto the flesh but in love serve one another.

If there be any faithful servant and wise, whom his master hath made ruler over his household, for to give them meat in season convenient; Happy is that servant: whom his master, when he cometh, shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, he shall make him ruler over all his goods.read more.
But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, my master will defer his coming, and begin to smite his fellows: yea and to eat and to drink with the drunken: that servant's master will come in a day when he looketh not for him: and in a hour that he is not aware of, and will divide him, and give him his reward with hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

And the Lord said, "If there be any faithful servant, and wise, whom his Lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their duty of meat, at due season: Happy is that servant, whom his master when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, That he will make him ruler over all that he hath.read more.
But and if the evil servant shall say in his heart, 'My master will defer his coming,' and shall begin to smite the servants, and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken: the Lord of that servant will come in a day, when he thinketh not, and at a hour when he is not aware, and will divide him, and will give him his reward, with the unbelievers.

"Likewise, as a certain man, ready to take his journey to a strange country, called his servants to him, and delivered to them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one: to every man after his ability, and straightway departed. Then he that had received the five talents, went and bestowed them, and won other five talents.read more.
Likewise, he that received two gained other two. But he that received the one, went and digged a pit in the earth and hid his master's money. After a long season, the Lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them. Then came he that had received five talents, and brought other five talents saying, 'Master, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: Behold, I have gained with them five talents more.'

He said therefore, "A certain noble man went into a far country, to receive him a kingdom, and then to come again. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, saying unto them, 'Buy and sell till I come.' But his citizens hated him, and sent messengers after him, saying, 'We will not have this man to reign over us.'read more.
And it came to pass, when he was come again and had received his kingdom, he commanded these servants, to be called to him, to whom he gave his money, to know what every man had done. Then came the first saying, 'Lord, thy pound hath increased ten pounds.' And he said unto him, 'Well good servant, because thou wast faithful in a very little thing; Take thou authority over ten cities.'

Who is it, if he had a servant a plowing, or feeding cattle, that would say unto him when he were come from the field, 'Go quickly and sit down to meat.' And would not rather say to him, 'Dress wherewith I may sup, and gird up thyself and serve me, till I have eaten and drunk: and afterward, eat thou, and drink thou?' Doth he thank that servant because he did that which was commanded unto him? I think not.read more.
So likewise ye, when ye have done all those things which are commanded unto you, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done that which was our duty to do.'"

Also, the fervent desire of the creatures abideth looking when the sons of God shall appear; because the creatures are subdued to vanity against their will: but for his will which subdueth them in hope. For the very creatures shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.read more.
For we know that every creature groaneth with us also, and travaileth in pain even unto this time.