Slavery and Christianity.

In this Epistle to the Colossians, Paul deals with the matter of enslavement from the slaves and masters perspective. Surprisingly, he doesn't condemn it our of hand. But there was a very good reason for this. Slavery was widespread in the Roman Empire. To speak out against it would bring down the wrath of the Empire upon the Christians' heads. Far from making matters better, it would make the situation immeasurably worse. So Paul tells the Christian slaves that they are to do their work as unto the Lord. The slave masters are exhorted to treat their slaves aright. Both are reminded that, as believers, they are the slaves of Christ,