Lev 25:44-46 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Lev 25:44-46: 25:44-46 Slaves in Mesopotamia and Egypt were little more than chattel, with no protection or rights. Israelites were allowed to purchase non-Israelites as slaves, but they were to be treated well and not abused. Occasionally some slaves were even adopted into childless families (Gen 15:2-4 ). Slavery continued into New Testament times, but the foundations had been laid for its dissolution in the Old Testament doctrine of the common origins of all humankind through God. Slavery stemmed from the Fall, when relationships based on power replaced those of fellowship and communication (see Gen 3:16 ). In the New Testament, believers uphold the ideas of fellowship and communication by accepting the title “Christ’s slave” or “servant” (Rom 1:1 ; Col 4:12 ; 2 Pet 1:1 ). In Paul’s doctrine of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27 ; Eph 4:12 ), all believers acquired a common identity (Gal 3:28 ; Col 3:11 ; Phlm 1:16 ).

a25:44-46►

bGen 15:2-4►

cGen 3:16►

dRom 1:1►

eCol 4:12►

f2 Pet 1:1►

g1 Cor 12:27►

hEph 4:12►

iGal 3:28►

jCol 3:11►

kPhlm 1:16►

‏ Leviticus 25:44-46

Summary for Lev 25:44-46: 25:44-46 ^a Slaves in Mesopotamia and Egypt were little more than chattel, with no protection or rights. Israelites were allowed to purchase non-Israelites as slaves, but they were to be treated well and not abused. Occasionally some slaves were even adopted into childless families (Gen 15:2-4 ^b). Slavery continued into New Testament times, but the foundations had been laid for its dissolution in the Old Testament doctrine of the common origins of all humankind through God. Slavery stemmed from the Fall, when relationships based on power replaced those of fellowship and communication (see Gen 3:16 ^c). In the New Testament, believers uphold the ideas of fellowship and communication by accepting the title “Christ’s slave” or “servant” (Rom 1:1 ^d; Col 4:12 ^e; 2 Pet 1:1 ^f). In Paul’s doctrine of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27 ^g; Eph 4:12 ^h), all believers acquired a common identity (Gal 3:28 ⁱ; Col 3:11 ^j; Phlm 1:16 ^k).