Slaves And Masters

After giving four biblical reasons why slavery is wrong, Dr. Lee Atkinson observes that, though the Apostle Paul does not condone slavery, he nevertheless meets the slaves in the Colossian assembly where they are, i.e. in their present reality. (It is obvious that there were often both slave-holders - or masters - and slaves in the same local church!) The slaves were to serve their earthly masters enthusiastically and with an "unsegmented heart" as unto their Master in Heaven. And the masters were to treat their slaves in a way that would please the One who also was their Master in Heaven.