In biblical times, the term "freemen" referred to individuals who were not bound by slavery or servitude. The concept of freedom is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, both in the physical sense of liberation from bondage and in the spiritual sense of freedom from sin through Christ.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament provides numerous accounts of the Israelites' experiences with slavery and freedom. The most significant event is the Exodus, where God delivered the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. This event is foundational to the Jewish understanding of freedom and is commemorated annually during Passover. The laws given to Moses also include provisions for the treatment of slaves and the eventual release of Hebrew slaves in the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:10), emphasizing the value of freedom and the dignity of every individual.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of freedom takes on a more spiritual dimension. Jesus Christ is portrayed as the ultimate liberator, freeing humanity from the bondage of sin and death. In John 8:36, Jesus declares, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." This freedom is not merely a release from physical chains but a profound spiritual liberation that transforms the believer's life.

The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the theme of freedom in his epistles. In Galatians 5:1, he exhorts believers, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery." Here, Paul warns against returning to the legalistic practices that can enslave the soul, urging believers to embrace the freedom found in Christ.

Social and Spiritual Implications

The early Christian community included both slaves and freemen, reflecting the diverse social fabric of the Roman Empire. In 1 Corinthians 7:22, Paul writes, "For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freedman; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave." This paradoxical statement highlights the spiritual equality of all believers, regardless of their social status. In Christ, both slaves and freemen are equal, and their ultimate allegiance is to Him.

The Epistle to Philemon provides a practical example of this principle. Paul appeals to Philemon to receive his runaway slave, Onesimus, not merely as a slave but as a beloved brother in Christ (Philemon 1:16). This appeal underscores the transformative power of the Gospel to transcend social barriers and create a new community of freemen in Christ.

Eschatological Freedom

The Bible also speaks of an eschatological freedom that awaits believers. In Romans 8:21, Paul speaks of the creation itself being liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. This future hope is a central tenet of Christian eschatology, where ultimate freedom is realized in the new heavens and new earth.

In summary, the concept of freemen in the Bible encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions. It reflects God's desire for His people to live in freedom, both in their earthly lives and in their eternal relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.(n.) Plural of Freeman.

But the Freemen Shall be Tried by Penance for Three Years...
... Canon VII. But the freemen shall be tried by penance for three years?
But the freemen shall be tried by penance for three years ...
/.../peter/the writings of peter of alexandria/canon vii but the freemen.htm

But as it was Easily Seen to be Unjust to Compel Freemen against ...
... Chapter XXVIII. But as it was easily seen to be unjust to compel freemen
against their will? But as it was easily seen to be unjust ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter xxviii but as it.htm

Women as Well as Men, Slaves as Well as Freemen, Candidates for ...
... The Stromata, or Miscellanies. Book IV. Chapter VIII."Women as Well as Men,
Slaves as Well as Freemen, Candidates for the Martyr's Crown. ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter viii women as well as.htm

Concerning Sacrifices and Oblations, and those who Truly Offer ...
... people; sacrifices there are, too, in the Church: but the species alone has been
changed, inasmuch as the offering is now made, not by slaves, but by freemen. ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xviii concerning sacrifices and oblations.htm

The Battle of Thermopylae.
... They wore it very long. In fact, the length of the hair was, in their
commonwealth, a mark of distinction between freemen and slaves. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter ix the battle of.htm

Introduction
... and views, they were resisted by the colonists themselves as adopting principles
and pursuing measures incompatible with their rights as freemen: while most of ...
/.../bangs/a history of the methodist episcopal church volume i/introduction.htm

Political Parties in Connecticut at the Beginning of the ...
... Assistants, and Deputies, supreme governing power, including, together with that
of legislation, the granting of levies, the admission of freemen, the disposal ...
/.../chapter xiv political parties in.htm

Apology
... Chapter XXVIII. But as it was easily seen to be unjust to compel freemen against
their will? Chapter XXIX. Let it be made clear, then, first of all? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/

From the Close of the General Conference of 1832 to the Beginning ...
... such free people of color from the United States as might consent to emigrate, and
establish them as a colony, with all the rights and privileges of freemen. ...
/.../chapter 12 from the close.htm

Dwight -- the Sovereignty of God
... men shall be princes or peasants, opulent or poor, learned or ignorant, honorable
or despised; whether they shall be civilized or savage, freemen or slaves ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/dwight the sovereignty of.htm

Freemen (17 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Freeman. Multi-Version Concordance
Freemen (17 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 12:13 for also ...
/f/freemen.htm - 12k

Prefects (18 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 2:16 And the prefects have not known whither I have gone, and what I am
doing; and to the Jews, and to the priests, and to the freemen, and to the ...
/p/prefects.htm - 12k

Caesar's (10 Occurrences)
... 1. What Exactly Was Caesar's Household?: "Caesar's household" meant the whole of
the persons, slaves and freemen alike, composing the establishment of the ...
/c/caesar's.htm - 18k

Strive (64 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 5:7 and my heart reigneth over me, and I strive with the freemen, and with
the prefects, and say to them, 'Usury one upon another ye are exacting ...
/s/strive.htm - 25k

Household (222 Occurrences)
... 1. What Exactly Was Caesar's Household?: "Caesar's household" meant the whole of
the persons, slaves and freemen alike, composing the establishment of the ...
/h/household.htm - 47k

Jeconi'ah (7 Occurrences)
... Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon hath not taken, in his removing Jeconiah son of
Jehoiakim king of Judah from Jerusalem to Babylon with all the freemen of Judah ...
/j/jeconi'ah.htm - 8k

Writeth (26 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 21:8 And she writeth letters in the name of Ahab, and sealeth with his seal,
and sendeth the letters unto the elders, and unto the freemen, who are in ...
/w/writeth.htm - 14k

Free-offerings (2 Occurrences)
Free-offerings. Freemen, Free-offerings. Frees . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WBS). Freemen, Free-offerings. Frees . Reference Bible.
/f/free-offerings.htm - 7k

Free-man (2 Occurrences)
Free-man. Freeman, Free-man. Freemen . Multi-Version Concordance Free-man
(2 Occurrences). ... Freeman, Free-man. Freemen . Reference Bible.
/f/free-man.htm - 7k

Freeing (9 Occurrences)
... Egyptians. (BBE). Judges 5:2 For freeing freemen in Israel, For a people
willingly offering themselves Bless ye Jehovah. (YLT). Judges ...
/f/freeing.htm - 9k

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