What Does the Bible Say About Slavery 11 New Testament Slavery episode 193

Why doesn't the New Testament condone slavery? Why doesn't Jesus explicitly denounce slavery? Today were going to look at what the New Testament says about slavery and what slavery looked like under Roman rule. As we move into the New Testament and what slavery looked like we should keep in mind that a major political shift had taken place. The Jews were now under Roman rule and no longer could govern themselves as God had it in the Old Testament. God told his people how he wanted their nation to conduct themselves and now in New Testament times, the Romans were in control and had their own way of doing things.
The conditions of Roman Slavery
Slavery in the New Testament is not the same slavery that we see in the Old Testament. Roman slavery like the Old Testament form of slavery involved both slaves from war as well as slaves who had sold themselves because of debt or poverty. Roman slaves were often educated, allowed to marry, make money, own their own business and purchase their own freedom. During the reign of Cicero, slaves were set free after seven years of service. This is not what the Bible prescribed; it's just how the Romans treated slaves.
Why didn't Christ condemn slavery?
Keep in mind, the New Testament was written to the church, whereas the Old Testament was given to the Jews. In the OT God told his people how to handle themselves in their own nation. In the NT, we see God instructing his church how to conduct themselves as they move throughout the world. This shift in focus explains in part why we don't see Christ outright condemning slavery. Christ was not in the business of changing laws or social structures. Jesus came to save the l