Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the concept of a "freeman" held significant social and spiritual implications. The term "freeman" generally refers to an individual who is not in servitude or bondage, possessing personal liberty and autonomy. This status is contrasted with that of a slave or bondservant, who is under the authority and control of another.
Old Testament ContextThe Old Testament provides various laws and narratives concerning slavery and freedom. The Hebrew word often associated with freedom is "chofshi," which denotes liberty or release from servitude. The Mosaic Law included provisions for the release of Hebrew slaves, emphasizing the value of freedom and the dignity of the individual. For instance, in the Year of Jubilee, slaves were to be set free, and land was to be returned to its original owners (
Leviticus 25:10). This practice underscored the belief that ultimate ownership and authority belong to God, and human relationships should reflect His justice and mercy.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of freedom takes on a deeper spiritual dimension. The Greek word "eleutheros" is used to describe a freeman, often in contrast to a slave ("doulos"). The Apostle Paul addresses the status of freemen and slaves in several of his epistles, emphasizing that in Christ, social distinctions are transcended. In
1 Corinthians 7:22, Paul writes, "For he who was called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise, he who was called while free is Christ’s slave." This passage highlights the paradoxical nature of Christian freedom, where true liberty is found in servitude to Christ.
Paul further elaborates on the spiritual freedom believers have in Christ in
Galatians 5:1: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free; stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery." Here, freedom is not merely a social status but a spiritual reality, liberating believers from the bondage of sin and the law.
Social and Spiritual ImplicationsThe early Christian community was marked by a radical redefinition of social relationships. In a society where slavery was a common institution, the message of freedom in Christ offered a transformative vision. The Epistle to Philemon provides a poignant example, where Paul appeals to Philemon to receive his runaway slave Onesimus not as a slave but as a beloved brother in Christ (
Philemon 1:16).
The notion of being a freeman in Christ also carries ethical implications. Believers are called to live as free people, yet not using their freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God (
1 Peter 2:16). This freedom is characterized by love, service, and obedience to God's will, reflecting the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
ConclusionThe biblical concept of a freeman encompasses both social and spiritual dimensions, offering a vision of liberty that transcends earthly status and points to the ultimate freedom found in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) One who enjoys liberty, or who is not subject to the will of another; one not a slave or vassal.
2. (n.) A member of a corporation, company, or city, possessing certain privileges; a member of a borough, town, or State, who has the right to vote at elections. See Liveryman.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
FREEDMAN; FREEMANfred'-man, fre'-man: The term occurs in1 Corinthians 7:22Colossians 3:11, andRevelation 6:15, and represents two slightly different words. In1 Corinthians 7:22 the word is apeleutheros, "a freeman," one who was born a slave and has received freedom. In this case it refers to spiritual freedom. He that was in bondage to sin has been presented with spiritual freedom by the Lord. InRevelation 6:15 the word is simply eleutheros, "a free man" as opposed to a slave.
Greek
558. apeleutheros -- one freed away, ie a freedman...freeman. From apo and eleutheros; one freed away, ie A freedman --
freeman. see
GREEK apo. see GREEK eleutheros. (apeleutheros) -- 1 Occurrence. 557, 558.
...1658. eleutheros -- free, ie not a slave or not under restraint
... word Definition free, ie not a slave or not under restraint NASB Word Usage exempt
(1), free (12), free man (2), free men (3), free woman (4),freeman (1)....
Library
Concerning his Father, aFreeman of Thagaste, the Assister of his...
... Chapter III."Concerning His Father, aFreeman of Thagaste, the Assister of His Son's
Studies, and on the Admonitions of His Mother on the Preservation of...
Letter F
... 1830 * Frazer, John "Received 1831 * Frazer, William N. "Received 1836 * Free,
Christopher "Received 1802, Died 1835 *Freeman, Dainel "Received 1808...
Whether one Ought to be Withdrawn from Entering Religion through...
... despite of the duty they owe their parents, enter religion even against their parents'
command, because after the age of puberty everyfreeman enjoys freedom...
Colossians iii. 7-May
... Ver.11. "Where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision,
Barbarian, Scythian, bondman,freeman: but Christ is all, and in all.". Lo!...
Two Households
... And here the foremost of Christian teachers, who was afreeman born, separated from
these poor people by a tremendous chasm, stretches a brother's hand across...
The Cambridge Platform and the Half-Way Covenant
... care". Signed" Admittedfreeman Oct.9th, 1662, Hartford, Wm. Pitkin. Admitted
freeman May 21, 1657, Windsor, Michael Humphrey. Admitted...
The Confessions and Letters of St
... Chapter III.--Concerning His Father, aFreeman of Thagaste, the Assister of His
Son's Studies, and on the Admonitions of His Mother on the Preservation of...
Consummation of Thomas the Apostle.
... and thus they stood before the king. And Misdeus said to him: Art thou
a slave, or afreeman? And Thomas answered and said to him...
The Influence of the King James Version on English Literature
... An entire study could be devoted to the influence of the English Bible on Green
or Bancroft orFreeman or Prescott"its influence on their matter and their...
Later History of Revision.
... Lichfield), the Deans of Canterbury (Alford), Westminster (Stanley), and Lincoln
(Jeremie); the Archdeacons of Bedford (Rose), Exeter (Freeman), and Rochester...
Thesaurus
Freeman (9 Occurrences)... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FREEDMAN;
FREEMAN.
... In 1 Corinthians 7:22 the word is
apeleutheros, "a
freeman," one who was born a slave and has received freedom.
...Bondman (108 Occurrences)
... The word is used once in the New Testament (Revelation 6:15) to translate doulos,
where it evidently means a slave in contrast with afreeman. See SLAVERY....
Liberal (11 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Free by birth; hence, befitting afreeman or gentleman; refined; noble;
independent; free; not servile or mean; as, a liberal ancestry; a liberal spirit...
Freedom (45 Occurrences)
... Under the Roman law the "freeman" (ingenuus) was one born free; the "freedman"
(libertinus) was a manumitted slave, and had not equal rights with thefreeman...
Freedman (1 Occurrence)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FREEDMAN;FREEMAN.... In 1 Corinthians 7:22 the word is
apeleutheros, "afreeman," one who was born a slave and has received freedom....
Freely (101 Occurrences)
... In 1 Corinthians 7:22 the word is apeleutheros, "afreeman," one who was born a
slave and has received freedom. In this case it refers to spiritual freedom....
Knocks (5 Occurrences)
... Exodus 21:27 and if a tooth of his man-servant or a tooth of his handmaid he knock
out, as afreeman he doth send him away for his tooth. (See NAS RSV NIV)....
Uncircumcised (48 Occurrences)
... Colossians 3:11 where there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision,
foreigner, Scythian, servant,freeman -- but the all and in all -- Christ....
Free-man (2 Occurrences)
Free-man.Freeman, Free-man. Freemen . Multi-Version Concordance Free-man
(2 Occurrences)....Freeman, Free-man. Freemen . Reference Bible.
Foreigner (99 Occurrences)
... Colossians 3:11 where there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision,
foreigner, Scythian, servant,freeman -- but the all and in all -- Christ....
Resources
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