5.2 The Vineyard and the Slave

“Listen to the parable which I am about to tell you which relates to fasting.  A certain man had a field and many slaves. And on a certain part of the field he planted a vineyard. And choosing a certain faithful, pleasing, and honored slave, he called him and said to him, ‘Take this vineyard which I planted and fence it until I come, and do not do otherwise to the vineyard. And keep this commandment of mine and you will gain freedom from me.’ And the master of the slave went out on his journey.  And when he had gone, the servant took and fenced in the vineyard. And finishing the fencing in of the vineyard, he saw that the vineyard was full of weeds.  Therefore he reasoned in himself, saying, ‘This commandment of the master I have accomplished, next I will cultivate this vineyard and it will look even better after cultivation. And not having weeds, it will produce even more fruit, not being choked by the weeds.’ After taking it, he cultivated the vineyard and all the weeds which were in the vineyard, he pulled them out. And that vineyard was looking its best and thriving, not having weeds choking it.  After some time, the master of the slave and of the field came. And he entered into the vineyard and upon seeing the vineyard attractively fenced in, and in addition also cultivated and all the weeds pulled out and the vines were thriving, he rejoiced greatly because of the work of the servant.  Therefore calling his beloved son, who was his heir and his friends who were counselors, he said to them what he commanded to his servant and what he found accomplished, and those people rejoiced with the servant because of the testimony which the master testified to him.  And he said to them, ‘I promised freedom to this servant if he might keep my commandment which I commanded to him. And he kept my commandment and added good work to the vineyard, and I was exceedingly pleased. Therefore because of this work which he has done, I want to make him a fellow heir with my son, because the good which he thought to do he did not disregard but accomplished it.’  The son of the master agreed with this his intention, that the slave might become a fellow heir with the son.  After a few days, he made a feast and sent much food to him from the feast. But the servant, after receiving the food which was sent to him from the master, kept what was sufficient for him and distributed the rest to his fellow servants.  And his fellow servants, after receiving the food, rejoiced and began to pray for him, that he might find greater favor from the master because he had treated them in this way.  All these things that happened, his master heard and again rejoiced exceedingly because of his action. The master, again summoning his friends and his son, reported to them his deed, that he did with his food which he received. And they were in even more agreement that the slave should become a fellow heir with his son.”

Brannan, Rick, trans. 2012. The Apostolic Fathers in English. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

“And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.” – Genesis 39:1-6

“And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.” – Genesis 24:12

“Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” – Ephesians 6:5-10

Slavery