above a servant
Philemon
16 above a servant. The Scriptures did not condemn slavery as such, but rather taught a new relationship between masters and servants (e.g., Colossians 3:22–4:1; Ephesians 6:5-9), considering both as brothers and fellowservants of Christ. The institution of slavery, therefore, gradually became more of an employer-employee relationship, with its compulsory aspects eventually being displaced altogether.