Abolitionists opposed slavery in the U.S., but, as their opponents pointed out, the Bible does not condemn slavery. It was an accepted part of life in Bible times, and in the New Testament Paul counseled Christian slaves to work hard and show kindness to their masters. As centuries passed, most Christian nations outlawed slavery, and many Christians led the fight to abolish slavery in America.
Abolitionists pointed to Paul’s words in Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Greek . . . slave nor free . . . male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” But in another letter Paul stated, “Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it.
For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave” (1 Cor. 7:21–22). Pro-slavery authors made some fanciful interpretations of Genesis 9:24–27, saying that Africans were the descendants of Canaan, cursed to always to slaves.
