36 Bible Verses about Slavery, Spiritual

they answered him, we are Abraham's offspring, and were never slaves to any man: why then do you say, "ye shall be made free?" Jesus answered them, I declare unto you, whosoever committeth sin, is a slave to sin. a slave has no right to be in the house for life: but the son is settled there.read more.
if the son therefore shall make you free, you will be free indeed.

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, by making you slaves to the lusts thereof. neither yield your members as instruments to iniquity: but yield yourselves unto God, as being alive after having been dead; and your members as instruments of righteousness. for then sin shall have no dominion over you: because you are not under the legal, but under the gospel dispensation.read more.
What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under the gospel? by no means. know ye not, that to whom ye subject your selves vassals at command, his vassals you are whom you thus obey; the vassals either of sin to destruction, or of obedience to justification? but God be thanked, that you, who were the vassals of sin, have sincerely obeyed in the manner the gospel prescribed. being then set free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Do we then conclude, that the law is the cause of sin? by no means; but I should not have had such a notion of sin, had it not been for the law: for I should not have known concupiscence was a sin, unless the law had said, "thou shalt not covet." but sin receiving strength by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. for before the law sin appear'd dead. then it was I once liv'd secure; but when the prohibition came, sin exerted it self, and I was in a dying condition:read more.
and the commandment which leads to life was instrumental to my ruin. for sin getting power by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. wherefore the law is holy; and the commandment holy, and just, and good. was it then good that brought death upon me? no, but it was sin, that sin might show it self by being able to bring death upon me by means of that which is good; that sin, I say, by the commandment might appear to be exceedingly destructive. for we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold a slave to sin. what I do I allow not: for what my mind leads me to, that do I not; but what I have an aversion to, that I do. if then I do what I in my mind am against, the consent of my mind is, that the law is right. now then, it is not wholly I that do it, but the sinful passions that dwell in me. for I experience, that in the carnal part of me dwells no good: for it is familiar to me, to will, but not to execute that which is good. for the good that I purpose to do, I do not: but the evil which I resolve against, that I do. now if I do that which my mind is against, it is not meerly I that do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a settled custom, that evil is objected in my way whenever I have a mind to act well: for my mind takes delight in the law of God, but I perceive in the animal part of me another law warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, which is in my animal part. O wretched man that I am, what shall deliver me from this body of death? the divine grace thro' Jesus Christ our Lord. so then, with the mind I my self am devoted to the law of God; tho' my carnal inclinations are enslaved to the law of sin.

for even we ourselves were once inconsiderate, disobedient, deluded, addicted to variety of passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, the deserving objects of mutual hatred.

whilst they promise others liberty, they themselves are slaves to their corrupt passions. for he that is vanquished, is a slave to the conqueror.

Stand fast therefore, and be not hampered again with the yoke of bondage.

Now I say, that the heir, as long as he is a child, is in a state of servitude, tho' he is to be lord of all; being under tutors and guardians, 'till the time prefix'd by his father. even so we, whilst we were children, were in a state of servitude to the elements of the world. but when the time appointed was accomplished,read more.
God sent forth his own son born of a woman, and subject to the law, to redeem those, who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. and because ye are sons, God has sent forth the spirit of his son into your hearts, crying Abba, that is, father; so that thou art no longer a bond servant, but a son: and if a son, then an heir of God thro' Christ.

for the spirit you have received is not servile to keep you still in fear; but it is the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, that is, father.

Since then the children were made subject to a state of mortality, so he himself likewise was subject to the same condition: that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who thro' fear of death were all their life-time in a state of slavery.

Now before the feast of the passover, Jesus perceiving that his hour was come, when he was to pass out of this world, and go to the father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. while they were at supper, (the devil having now put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him) Jesus, though he knew that the father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and was going to God,read more.
rose from supper, laid aside his garment, and took a towel to wrap about him. after that, he poured water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. then coming to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, Lord, what! would you wash my feet? Jesus answered him, you don't at present comprehend what I am about: but hereafter you shall. Peter said to him, you shall never wash my feet. Jesus answered, if I do not cleanse thee, you cannot partake with me. Simon Peter said to him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus said to him, he that comes out from bathing has occasion only to wash his feet, the rest of his body being clean: so you are clean, but not every one of you. for he knew who would betray him; therefore, said he, you are not every one of you clean. after he had washed their feet, he took his garment, and setting down again, he said to them, do you comprehend what I have been doing? you call me master, and lord: and you are in the right; for so I am. if I then, tho' lord and master, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. for I have given you example, that you might behave to one another, as I have to you. I declare unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord, neither he that is sent, greater than he that sent him. if ye comprehend these things, happy are ye if ye put them in practice.

but Jesus calling them to him, said, ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise arbitrary dominion over them, and they that are great exercise their authority. but it must not be so among you: on the contrary, whoever would rise 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 all.

So that Jesus called them to him, and said, you know that the rulers of the Gentiles domineer over them, and their great ones treat them in an imperious manner; but it shall not be so among young you: on the contrary, whoever would be great among you, he must be your servant; and whoever would be the chief, he must be the slave of all the rest.read more.
for the son of man himself is not come to receive the services of men, but to do them service, and to lay down his life a ransom for many.

for the same temper of mind ought to be in you as was in Christ Jesus: who tho' he was the image of God, did not affect to appear with divine majesty, but divested himself thereof, by assuming the form of a servant: being made in the likeness of men,read more.
and his whole exterior showing nothing more than a meer man, he abased himself, and carried his submission so far as to die, even the death of the cross. wherefore God has highly exalted and given him a name, which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus both angels and men, the living and the dead, should pay their adorations, and that every nation should confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord, to the glory of God the father.

but now being set free from sin, and actually in the service of God, the present advantage you reap is holiness, and the future everlasting life.

no man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or he will be attach'd to the one, and neglectful of the other. ye cannot serve God and Mamon.

a servant cannot serve two masters: for either he will neglect the one, and attend the other; or he will be attached to the first, and misbehave to the last. you cannot serve God and mammon.

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, chosen to declare the gospel dispensation,

and whatever you do, do it heartily, as serving the Lord, and not men: knowing that as you are the servants of Christ our Lord, you shall receive from him the inheritance for your reward.

James a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the TWELVE TRIBES dispers'd thro' the world, sends greeting.

men. You are free, don't let your liberty serve as a pretext for vice: but act as the servants

Simon Peter the servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who equally share with us in the advantages of faith, thro' the veracity of our God, and of Jesus Christ.

You are, therefore, brethren oblig'd to oppose your sensual passions; for if you lead a sensual life, you will be miserable: but if through the spirit you mortify the affections of corrupted nature, you will be happy. as many as are actuated by the spirit of God, they are the sons of God.read more.
for the spirit you have received is not servile to keep you still in fear; but it is the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, that is, father. the same spirit testifies to our spirit, that we are the children of God. and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; although we now suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him.

henceforth I do not treat you as servants; for the servant is unacquainted with his master's affairs: but I have treated you as friends; for what I have learnt of my father, I have communicated to you.

was not our father Abraham treated as just, in consequence of his actions, when he had attempted to sacrifice his son upon the altar? don't you see his actions and his faith conspir'd, and that his faith had its perfect effect in his conduct? it was then, that those words of scripture were accomplished, "Abraham believed God, and he was regarded for it as a man of virtue, and was the favourite of God."

Jesus said therefore to those Jews who believed on him, if you adhere to my doctrine, then will you be my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. they answered him, we are Abraham's offspring, and were never slaves to any man: why then do you say, "ye shall be made free?"read more.
Jesus answered them, I declare unto you, whosoever committeth sin, is a slave to sin. a slave has no right to be in the house for life: but the son is settled there. if the son therefore shall make you free, you will be free indeed.

But tell me, you that are so willing to be under the law, why don't you consider the law? for it is there written, Abraham had two sons, the one by a bond-maid, the other by a free-woman. he, who was of the bond-woman, was born according to the ordinary course of nature; but he, who was of the free-woman, was born by virtue of the promise.read more.
these things have an allegorical meaning: the two women signify the two covenants, the one from mount Sinai, which is represented by Agar, whose children were born in a state of servitude. this Agar answers to the Jerusalem now in being, for she is in servitude with her children: but the heavenly Jerusalem is represented by the free-woman, who is the mother of us all. for it is written, "rejoice thou barren, that bearest not; break out into loud acclamations, thou that hast not the travels of childbirth, for more are the children of the desolate, than of her that hath an husband." Now we, my brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of the promise. but as then, he that was born in the ordinary course of nature, persecuted him, who was born by an extraordinary power; even so it is now. but what saith the scripture? "cast out the bond-woman and her son; for the son of the bond-woman shall not share the inheritance with the son of the free-woman." so then, my brethren, we are not children of the bond-woman, but of the free-woman, by virtue of that freedom which Christ has procur'd for us.

What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under the gospel? by no means. know ye not, that to whom ye subject your selves vassals at command, his vassals you are whom you thus obey; the vassals either of sin to destruction, or of obedience to justification? but God be thanked, that you, who were the vassals of sin, have sincerely obeyed in the manner the gospel prescribed.read more.
being then set free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. (I allude to civil affairs, because of your unacquaintedness with spiritual matters:) as then you made your natural faculties subservient to impurity, and all manner of vice; make them now subservient to virtue and holiness. for when ye were the vassals of sin, ye were not in the service of virtue. what benefit had you then in those things whereof you are now ashamed? since they terminated all in death. but now being set free from sin, and actually in the service of God, the present advantage you reap is holiness, and the future everlasting life. for the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

for tho' I am independent of all men, yet have I subjected myself to all, that I might gain the more.

for we preach not our selves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, professing our selves your servants for his sake.

for, brethren, you have been called to liberty. only abuse not this freedom as a pretext to vice, but in offices of love be as servants one to another.

If then there be a servant, appointed by his master to take care of his family, who faithfully and prudently distributes their allowance according to the establishment: happy is the servant, who shall be found so employed, at his master's return. I tell you, he shall make him steward of all his estate.read more.
but if he be dishonest, and says to himself, my Lord delays coming, and shall pretend to assault his fellow-servants, and spend his time with sots: the master of that servant will come in a day when he least expects it, and at an hour he is not aware of; and shall turn him out of the family, and give him the reward due to such behaviour: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Jesus answered, if there be a faithful prudent steward, appointed by his master to give his domesticks their stated allowance; happy is such a servant, whom his master at his return shall find so employ'd. I assure you, he will intrust him with the management of his whole estate.read more.
but if the servant should say within himself, my master delays his return; and fall a beating his fellow-servants, indulging himself in eating and drinking to excess. his master will return on a day he does not expect him, and a an hour he is ignorant of; he will separate him from the rest, and give him a treatment answerable to his infidelity.

So it was when a man was going to travel into a foreign country, he called his servants, and delivered to them his stock: to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to every man according to his respective ability, and then set out on his journey. now he that had received five talents, immediately employed them in trade, and gain'd five talents more.read more.
so he that had received two, gained likewise other two. but he that had received one, went to dig a hole in the ground, and hid his lord's money. after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them. accordingly he that had received five talents, came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, you delivered to me five talents: besides those, there's five talents more, which I have gain'd.

a nobleman, said he, was going to travel to a foreign country, in order to have his kingdom confirm'd to him at his return. and he called ten of his servants, to whom he deliver'd ten pounds: improve that, said he, till I return. but he being hated by the citizens, after he was gone, they sent a deputation to court, to make this protest, "we will not have him for our king."read more.
upon his return, being confirm'd king, he order'd the servants, he had trusted with the money, to appear, and inform him, what improvement each of them had made. the first came and said, Lord, your one pound has gained ten more. he answer'd, honest servant, that's well: since your industry has made so much of so little, I give you the government of ten cities.

Who of you having a servant, that plows, or feeds your cattle, will immediately upon his coming from field, say to him, come and sit at table? won't he rather say, get ready my supper, dress yourself, and wait upon me, till I have done eating and drinking; after that, take your meal? will he think himself oblig'd to that servant for doing what he was order'd? I believe not.read more.
so when you have done all that you were commanded to do, say, we are unprofitable servants; we have only done what was our duty to do.

mankind impatiently desire that the divine being would display himself to his creatures, who were not, by their own choice, expos'd to this uncertain state, but by virtue of him, who subjected them thereto: and therefore hope to be removed from this slavish condition of mortality to the free inheritance of divine glory.read more.
for we know that the whole creation groans, and labours with general pain even to this day.