We have before us this morning, a very controversial New Testament passage. In fact, this passage is often pointed to by critics of Christianity to discredit it. They argue that these verses show that Paul is a supporter of slavery and is endorsing the practice. This, then, leads them to the argument that, if one of Christianity’s most venerated apostles endorsed slavery, it shows that the entire religion is bigoted and hateful. And, too often it seems, Christians don’t have the ammunition to offer any response to these accusations. So, my goal is to show you what Paul is not saying in these verses, to then explain what he is saying, and finally to tell you what all of this talk about slavery has to do with God’s church in the 21st century when slavery is no longer an issue and unanimously seen as a disgusting and sinful practice.