36 Bible Verses about Slavery, Spiritual

They answered Him, We are the seed of Abraham, and never were slaves to any one, how then dost thou say, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily I say unto you, whosoever maketh a practice of sin, is the servant of sin. Now the servant does not continue always in the family: but the Son abideth always.read more.
If therefore the Son make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield your bodies as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but present yourselves to God as alive from the dead, and your bodies as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall have no power over you, inasmuch as 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! Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves servants to obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey? either of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But thanks be to God, that ye who were servants of sin, have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered to you: and being set free from sin, ye are become the servants of righteousness.

What shall we say then? is the law sin? God forbid! Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust to be sinful, if the law had not said, "Thou shalt not covet." But sin taking occasion by the commandment wrought in me all manner of concupiscence: for without the law sin was dead. And I was heretofore alive without the law: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died:read more.
and the commandment which was intended to life, I found to be unto death. For sin taking occasion by the commandment deceived me, and by it slew me. So that the law is holy; and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid! But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good: that sin might be shewn by the commandment to be exceeding sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do, I allow not: for I do not that which I would; but what I hate, this I do. And if I do that which I would not, I consent to the law that it is good: but now I am no more the doer of it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is in my flesh) dwelleth no good: for to will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good, I find not. For I do not the good that I would; but the evil which I would not, this I do. Now if I do that which I would not, I am no more the doer of it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a kind of law, that when I would do good, evil besets me. For I delight in the law of God, as to the inward man: but I perceive another law in my body warring against the law of my mind, and captivating me to the law of sin, which is in my body. Wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from this body of death? The grace of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with my mind I serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

For we also were formerly foolish, disobedient, going astray, enslaved to various disorderly appetites and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

promising them liberty, while they themselves are the slaves of corruption: for by whom any one is vanquished, by him he is also enslaved.

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

Now as long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a servant, though he is to be lord of all: but is under guardians and managers till the time appointed by the father. So we when we were children, were in servitude under the elements of the world:read more.
but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son born of a woman made under the law, that He might redeem those that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. So that thou art no longer a servant, but a son; and if a son, an heir also of God through Christ.

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Seeing then the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also himself in like manner partook of them; that by death He might destroy him that had the empire of death, that is, the devil: and deliver those who through fear of death were all their life-time subject to bondage.

Now before the feast of the passover, (Jesus knowing that his hour was come, when He should pass out of this world unto the Father, as He had loved his own, who were yet in the world, He loved them unto the end:) supper being prepared, (the devil having put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him) Jesus, who knew that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that He came from God, and was going to God,read more.
riseth from supper, and turneth aside his clothes, and took a towel and tied it about Him; and then pouring water into a bason, began to wash the feet of his disciples, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded. He cometh therefore to Simon Peter among the rest, who saith unto Him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou dost not now understand, but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith to Him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I do not wash thee, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto Him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that hath been bathing, hath need only to wash his feet, being then clean all over: and thus ye are clean, but not all of you. For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, Ye are not all clean. And when He had washed their feet, and taken his clothes about Him, He sat down again, and said to them, Do ye know the intent of what I have been doing to you? Ye call me, Master, and Lord; and ye say well; for so I am. 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 also should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord, nor is the messenger greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye, if ye do them.

but Jesus called them to Him and said, Ye know that the princes of the gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority upon them: it shall not be so among you; but whosoever would be great among you, let him be your minister, and whoever would be chief among you, let him be your servant:read more.
as the Son of man came not to be ministred unto, but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many.

But Jesus called them to Him, and said unto them, Ye know that those who rule among the Gentiles, lord it over them, and their grandees exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whoever would be great among you shall be your minister; and whoever of you would be first shall be servant of all.read more.
For the Son of man came not to be ministred unto, but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many.

Let the same mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be as God. Yet He emptied himself, assuming the form of a servant, when made in the likeness of men:read more.
and being in the human state, He humbled himself, and was obedient even unto death, and that the death of the cross. Wherefore God hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name above every name: that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of celestial beings, as well as of those on earth, and of those under the earth; and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

But now being set free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or at lest he will be attached to the one, and neglect the other: ye cannot serve God and mammon:

No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or at lest he will be attached to the one, and neglect the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon.

Paul a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle,

do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men; knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ;

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

as free, and yet not using your liberty as a cloke for wickedness, but as the servants of God.

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

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: for if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die; but if by the Spirit ye mortify 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 bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. So that the Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and co-heirs with Christ: if so be we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified with Him.

I no longer stile you servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doth: but I have called you friends; for whatsoever I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you.

consider, Was not our father Abraham justified by works, when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? Thou seest that faith co-operated with his works, and that by his works his faith was perfected. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God.

Therefore said Jesus to the Jews that believed on Him, If ye continue in my word, ye are indeed my disciples. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered Him, We are the seed of Abraham, and never were slaves to any one, how then dost thou say, Ye shall be made free?read more.
Jesus answered them, Verily, verily I say unto you, whosoever maketh a practice of sin, is the servant of sin. Now the servant does not continue always in the family: but the Son abideth always. If therefore the Son make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Tell me, you that are so desirous to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? where it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by a servant, and one by a free-woman? But he who was of the servant, was born according to the course of nature; whereas the son of the free-woman was by virtue of the promise.read more.
Which things are figurative; for these persons are emblems of the two covenants, the one from mount Sinai, bringing forth children unto bondage, which is Hagar: for this name Hagar, a rock, is expressive of mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to the present Jerusalem, which is in bondage with her children. But the Jerusalem above is represented by the free-woman, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, Rejoice thou barren, that for a while didst not bear, break forth and cry aloud for joy, thou that didst not travail with child; for many more are the children of the desolate than of her that hath an husband." Now we, brethren, like Isaac, are children of the promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh, persecuted him who was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. But what saith the scripture? "Cast out the servant and her son: for the son of the servant shall not inherit with the son of the free-woman." Now we, my brethren, are not children of the servant, but of the free-woman.

What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid! Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves servants to obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey? either of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But thanks be to God, that ye who were servants of sin, have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered to you:read more.
and being set free from sin, ye are become the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men, because of the infirmity of your flesh: as ye have yielded your bodies servants to impurity and iniquity to work iniquity; so now present your bodies servants to righteousness, unto holiness. For when ye were servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit therefore had ye then in the things, which ye are now ashamed of? for the end of those things is death. But now being set free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

For though I am free from all, yet I have made myself a servant to all, that I might gain the more.

for we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for the sake of Jesus.

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only abuse not this liberty for an occasion to indulge the flesh, but by mutual love serve one another.

Who then is the faithful and prudent servant, whom his lord hath set over his family to give them food in due season? blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so employed: verily I tell you, that he will set him over his whole estate.read more.
But if that servant be wicked and say in his heart, my master delayeth his coming, and begin to beat his fellow-servants, and to revel with drunkards: the lord of that servant will come in a day when he doth not expect him, and in an hour which he knows not, and will cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with hypocrites: where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

And the Lord said, Who is indeed that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will set over his family to give out the measure of food in due season? Happy is that servant, whom his lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing. Verily I tell you, that he will set him over all that he hath.read more.
But if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and begin to beat the men and maid-servants, and drink, and to be drunken: the lord of that servant will come on a day in which he does not expect him, and at a time which he is not aware of; and will cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the unfaithful.

For as a man, who was going to travel abroad, called his servants, and delivered to them his stock: and to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to each according to his ability: and then he took his journey. Now he that had received the five talents, went and traded with them, and gained other five talents:read more.
and likewise he that had the two, he also gained two more: but he who had received the one, went and digged in the earth, and hid his master's money: and after some time the lord of those servants cometh and settleth his account with them. And he who had received the five talents came and brought to him five talents more, saying, Sir, thou deliveredst to me five talents, behold I have gained other five talents to them:

He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a distant country to receive the investiture of a kingdom and then to return. And he called ten of his servants, and delivered to them ten pounds, and said, Trade with them till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent an embassy after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.read more.
And when he was returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to be called to him, to whom he had delivered the money, that he might know what use each had made of it. Then came the first and said, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said to him, Well done, thou good servant, as thou hast been faithful in a very little, thou shalt be governor over ten cities.

But which of you having a servant plowing, or feeding cattle, will say to him, as soon as he comes in from the field, Come hither and sit down at table? But will he not rather say to him, Get ready my supper, and gird thyself, and wait upon me, till I have done, and afterwards thou shalt eat and drink. Is he obliged to that servant for doing what he was ordered?read more.
I think not. So likewise ye, when ye have done all things that were commanded you, say we are unprofitable servants, for we have done only what we ought to do.

For the earnest expectation of the world is waiting for the revelation of the sons of God: (for the world was subjected to vanity, not willingly, but through him who made it subject:) in hope that they also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.read more.
For we know that the whole world groaneth, and doth as it were travail in pain together even to this day.