Bondservants, or slaves, made up between 25 to 35 percent of the population in the Greek and Roman world at the time when the New Testament letters were written. We can therefore assume that there were many slaves who were part of the church throughout Asia Minor.1
Finding slaves being addressed is surprising given that most pagan household codes focused on what a master must do to rule his slaves. This shows us that Paul considered slaves to be ethically responsible persons. They are as much members of the church of Christ as their masters.2 Though slaves were not family in the sense of having equal rights, they were considered part of the family unit. In Christian households, when a master became a believer, he had everyone in his household baptized (Acts 10:47–48; Acts 16:15, Acts 16:30–33; 1 Corinthians 1:16). This followed the old covenant pattern where slaves received the sign of circumcision when the head of the household entered God’s covenant (Genesis 17:23; Exodus 12:43–48).3
The Mosaic law also contained instructions and regulations for slaves and masters (Exodus 21:1–11; Exodus 21:32; Leviticus 25:6; Deuteronomy 15:12–18).4 Both the New Testament as well as the Old Testament contain guidelines for slaves and slavery. These guidelines do not condone slavery but they provide ethical guidance for times and places where slavery existed.5
5 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ,