The concept of enslavement in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing both physical and spiritual dimensions. The term "enslaves" often refers to the act of bringing someone into bondage or subjugation, whether through physical means or through spiritual or moral corruption.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, slavery was a recognized institution, though it was regulated by Mosaic Law to ensure humane treatment. For instance, Exodus 21:2-6 provides guidelines for Hebrew servitude, stating, "If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years, but in the seventh year he shall go free, without paying anything." This indicates a system where servitude was often temporary and included provisions for release.

The enslavement of the Israelites in Egypt is a significant narrative, illustrating both physical bondage and divine deliverance. Exodus 1:13-14 describes their oppression: "They worked the Israelites ruthlessly and made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields." This period of enslavement is pivotal in understanding God's redemptive power, as He later delivers the Israelites through Moses.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of enslavement extends beyond physical bondage to include spiritual enslavement to sin. Jesus speaks of this in John 8:34, saying, "Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin." This highlights the spiritual dimension of enslavement, where sin holds individuals captive, necessitating divine intervention for liberation.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this theme in Romans 6:16-18: "Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey, whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness?" Paul contrasts the enslavement to sin with the freedom found in Christ, emphasizing the transformative power of the Gospel.

Spiritual Enslavement

The Bible also addresses the concept of spiritual enslavement through idolatry and false teachings. In Galatians 4:8-9, Paul warns the Galatians about returning to their former ways: "Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God... how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles?" This passage underscores the danger of spiritual bondage through adherence to false beliefs.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The Bible's treatment of enslavement carries significant moral and ethical implications. While the institution of slavery is acknowledged, the overarching biblical narrative points towards freedom and redemption. The call to love one's neighbor and the recognition of all individuals as made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) challenge the dehumanizing aspects of slavery.

In Philemon, Paul appeals to Philemon to receive Onesimus, a runaway slave, "no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother" (Philemon 1:16). This appeal reflects the transformative ethic of the Gospel, which transcends social and cultural barriers.

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on enslavement is complex, addressing both the physical realities of slavery and the deeper spiritual bondage to sin. Through the redemptive work of Christ, believers are called to live in the freedom of righteousness, breaking the chains of both physical and spiritual enslavement.2615. katadouloo -- to enslave
... Word Origin from kata and douloo Definition to enslave NASB Word Usage
bring...into bondage (1), enslaves (1). bring into bondage. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2615.htm - 7k

405. andrapodistes -- a slave dealer
... Phonetic Spelling: (an-drap-od-is-tace') Short Definition: an enslaver, a kidnapper
Definition: an enslaver, one who forcibly enslaves, a kidnapper. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/405.htm - 6k

Of the Golden Age, of Images, and Prometheus, who First Fashioned ...
... raised aloft. But he who enslaves himself to earthly and humble things,
plainly prefers to himself that which is below him. For ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxv of the golden age.htm

Corrupt Nature from Adam.
... food. 2 Now we are born a sensual race, To sinful joys inclin'd; Reason
has lost its native place, And flesh enslaves the mind. 3 ...
/.../watts/hymns and spiritual songs/hymn 0 172222222 corrupt nature from.htm

Corrupt Nature from Adam.
... To sinful joys inclined; Reason has lost its native place,. And flesh enslaves the
mind. While flesh, and sense, and passion reigns,. Sin is the sweetest good; ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 128 corrupt nature from.htm

Whether Vainglory is Opposed to Magnanimity?
... i) under the heading, "Magnanimity consists in two things: We should beware of the
desire for glory, since it enslaves the mind, which a magnanimous man should ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether vainglory is opposed to.htm

Whether Quarreling is a More Grievous Sin than Flattery?
... For the comeliness of a man has its source in his reason: wherefore the sins of
the flesh, whereby the flesh enslaves the reason, are viler, although spiritual ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether quarreling is a more.htm

St. James ii. 10
... BESIDES, the Case of the Generality, or Bulk, of Mankind being manifestly this,
that it is one particular darling Sin that enslaves the Man; that he is devoted ...
/.../sermon vi st james ii.htm

Whether Sins once Forgiven Return through a Subsequent Sin?
... Reply to Objection 2: By these words Bede means that the guilt already forgiven
enslaves man, not by the return of his former debt of punishment, but by the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sins once forgiven return.htm

Zacharias's Hymn
... His work was to awake the consciousness of sin, and so to kindle desires for a
salvation which was deliverance from sin, the only yoke which really enslaves. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/zachariass hymn.htm

Preface
... If he overhears Habakkuk praying about the Chaldeans, the Chaldeans turn immediately
into a parable of the power which enslaves our sinful lives. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/preface.htm

The Sinfulness of Original Sin.
... Judge shapes His requisitions in accordance with the shifting character of His creature,
and lowers His law down just as fast as the sinner enslaves himself to ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/the sinfulness of original sin.htm

Enslaves (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Enslaves (2 Occurrences). Acts 7:7 "'And the nation,
whichever it is, that enslaves them, I will judge,' said ...
/e/enslaves.htm - 7k

Slaves (119 Occurrences)
... Acts 7:7 "'And the nation, whichever it is, that enslaves them, I will judge,' said
God; 'and afterwards they shall come out, and they shall worship Me in this ...
/s/slaves.htm - 34k

Enslaved (18 Occurrences)

/e/enslaved.htm - 12k

Liberty (32 Occurrences)
... Morally, the power which enslaves is sin (John 8:34), and liberty consists, not
simply in external freedom, or in possession of the formal power of choice, but ...
/l/liberty.htm - 20k

Whichever (8 Occurrences)
... Acts 7:7 "'And the nation, whichever it is, that enslaves them, I will judge,' said
God; 'and afterwards they shall come out, and they shall worship Me in this ...
/w/whichever.htm - 9k

Expense (7 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 11:20 For you tolerate it, if any one enslaves you, lives at your
expense, makes off with your property, gives himself airs, or strikes you on ...
/e/expense.htm - 8k

Exploits (8 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 11:20 For you tolerate it, if any one enslaves you, lives at your
expense, makes off with your property, gives himself airs, or strikes you on ...
/e/exploits.htm - 9k

Enslaving (1 Occurrence)

/e/enslaving.htm - 6k

Airs (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Corinthians 11:20 For you tolerate it, if any one enslaves you, lives at your
expense, makes off with your property, gives himself airs, or strikes you on ...
/a/airs.htm - 6k

Slaps (4 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 11:20 For you tolerate it, if any one enslaves you, lives at your
expense, makes off with your property, gives himself airs, or strikes you on ...
/s/slaps.htm - 7k

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