36 Bible Verses about Slavery, Spiritual

They answered him, We are Abraham's offspring, and were never inslaved to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free. Jesus answered them, Verily, verily I say unto you, he that practiseth sin, is the slave of sin: And the slave abideth not in the house for ever; but the Son abideth ever.read more.
If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye will be free indeed. I know that ye are Abraham's offspring:

Therefore let not sin reign in your mortal body, to obey it in the desires thereof. Neither present your members to sin, as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God, as alive from the dead, and your members to God, as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not have dominion 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. Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are whom ye obey? Whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But thanks be to God, that, whereas ye were the servants of sin, ye have now obeyed from the heart the form of doctrine into which ye have been delivered. Being then set free from sin, ye are become the servants of righteousness.

What shall we say then? That the law is sin? God forbid. Yea, I should not have known sin, but for the law. I had not known lust, unless the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. But sin taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of desire: for without the law sin was dead. And I was once alive without the law; but when the commandment came,read more.
sin revived, and I died, And the commandment, which was intended for life, this I found 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 to me? God forbid: But sin: so that it appeared sin, working death in me by that which is good: so that sin might by the commandment become exceeding sinful. We know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I approve not; for what I would, I do not, but what I hate, that I do. If then I do what I would not, I consent to the law, that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good, I find not. For the good that I would, I do not; but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now, if I do that which I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God, after the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and captivating me to the law of sin, which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then I myself with my mind serve the law of God, but with my flesh the law of sin.

For we also were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, inslaved to various desires and pleasures, living in wickedness and envy, hateful, hating one another:

While they promise them liberty, themselves are the slaves of corruption; for by whom a man is overcome, by him he is also brought into slavery.

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

Now I say the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and stewards, till the time appointed by the father. So we also, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.read more.
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem those 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. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

For ye have not received the Spirit of bondage again unto fear, but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Since then the children partake of flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner took part of the same, that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil: And deliver them, as many as through fear of death, were all their life-time subject to bondage.

Now before the feast of the passover, Jesus knowing his hour was come to pass out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, loved them to the end. And while they were at supper (the devil having now put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray him) Jesus knowing the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come forth from God, and going to God,read more.
Riseth from supper, and layeth aside his garments, and taking a towel, girded himself. After that, he poured water into the bason, and began to wash the feet of the disciples, and to wipe them with the towel, wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter, who saith to him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said to him, What I do, thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith to him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith to him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He who hath been bathed, needeth only to wash his feet, and is clean all over: and ye are clean; but not all. For he knew who would betray him: therefore he said, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, he took his garments, and sitting down again, said to them, Know ye what I have done 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 ought also to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye also may do as I have done to you. Verily, verily I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his Lord, neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye, if ye do them. I speak not of you all:

But Jesus calling them to him said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles lord it over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. It shall not be so among you; but whosoever desireth to be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever desireth to be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be served,read more.
but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.

But Jesus calling them, saith to them, Ye know that they who rule over the Gentiles, lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you; but whosoever desireth to be great among you, shall be your servant. And whosoever desireth to be the chief, shall be the servant of all.read more.
For the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; Yet emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.read more.
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and hath given him a name which is above every name, That at the name of Jesus every knee might bow, of those in heaven, and those on earth, and those under the earth: And every tongue might confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord in the glory of God the Father.

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

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will cleave to the one and neglect the other.

No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or he will cleave to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon.

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God,

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ.

James a servant of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

yet not having your liberty for a cloak of 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, thro' the righteousness of our God and 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 ye through the Spirit mortify the deeds of the flesh, 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 again unto fear, but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The same Spirit beareth witness with our spirits, that we are the children of God. And if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ: if we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him.

for the servant knoweth not what his lord doth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you.

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? Thou seest that faith wrought together with his works, and by works was faith made perfect. And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness: and he was called the friend of God.

Then said Jesus to the Jews who believed on him, If ye continue in my word, ye are 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 inslaved to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free.read more.
Jesus answered them, Verily, verily I say unto you, he that practiseth sin, is the slave of sin: And the slave abideth not in the house for ever; but the Son abideth ever. If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye will be free indeed. I know that ye are Abraham's offspring:

Tell me, ye that would be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written, Abraham had two sons, one by the bond-woman, another by the free-woman. And he of the bond-woman was born after the flesh, but he of the free-woman by promise.read more.
Which things are an allegory; for these are the two covenants; one from mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem that now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all. (For it is written, Rejoice thou barren, that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not; for the desolate hath many more children than she that hath an husband. Now we, brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise. But as then, he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, so it is now also. But what saith the scripture? Cast out the bond-woman and her son; for the son of the bond-woman shall not be heir with the son of the free-woman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bond-woman, but of the free.

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 obey, his servants ye are whom ye obey? Whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But thanks be to God, that, whereas ye were the servants of sin, ye have now obeyed from the heart the form of doctrine into which ye have been delivered.read more.
Being then set free from sin, ye are become the servants of righteousness. I speak as a man, because of the weakness of your flesh. As ye have presented your members servants to uncleanness and iniquity, unto iniquity, so now present your members servants of righteousness, unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then from those things whereof ye are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For death is the wages of sin; but eternal life is the gift of God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

For though I am free from all men, I made myself the servant of all, that I might gain the more.

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

Brethren, ye have been called to liberty: only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord hath appointed ruler over his houshold, to give them food in due season? Happy is that servant, whom his Lord coming shall find so doing. Verily I say to you, he will make him ruler over all his goods.read more.
But if that evil servant say in his heart, My Lord delayeth his coming: And shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken: The Lord of that servant shall come in a day that he expecteth him not, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping, and gnashing of teeth.

And the Lord said, Who is that faithful and wise steward, whom his Lord shall make ruler over his housoold, to give the allowance of food in due season? Happy is that servant, whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing. Verily I say to you, 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 shall begin to beat the men servants and maidens, and to eat, and drink, and be drunken: The Lord of that servant will come in a day when he expecteth not, and at an hour when he knoweth not, and will cut him in sunder, and appoint him his portion with the unfaithful.

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his servants, and delivered to them his goods. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, according to his own ability, and immediately took his journey. Then he who had received the five talents, went and traded with them, and made them other five talents.read more.
And likewise he that had received the two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one, went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's mony. After a long time, the lord of those servants cometh and reckoneth with them. And he that had received the five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Sir, thou deliveredst to me five talents; behold I have gained to them five talents more.

He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country, to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. And having called ten of his servants, he gave them ten pounds, and said unto them, Trade 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 commanded these servants to be called to him, to whom he had given the money, to know what each had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said to him, Well done, good servant; because thou hast been faithful in a very little, be thou governor over ten cities.

But which of you having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say to him as soon as he cometh from the field, Come and sit down to table? And will not rather say to him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him?read more.
I think not. So likewise ye, when ye have done all the things that are commanded you, say, We are but unprofitable servants: we have done what was our duty to do.

For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revelation of the sons of God. For the creation was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by him who subjected it, In hope that the creation itself 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 creation groaneth together and travaileth together until now.