Bondage, Under

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 15
Means “being in slavery,” and may refer to the law (Gal. 4:2424Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. (Galatians 4:24)), righteousness (Rom. 6:1818Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. (Romans 6:18)), God (Rom. 6:2222But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (Romans 6:22)), wine (Tit. 2:33The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; (Titus 2:3)), sin (Rom. 6:66Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (Romans 6:6)), men (John 8:3333They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? (John 8:33)), and Christ (Rom. 1:11Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Romans 1:1), &c.). This phrase is, however, frequently used with particular reference to the law, and a legal spirit that is opposed to the Holy Ghost (Gal. 4:55To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (Galatians 4:5)) and to the law of liberty (James 2:1212So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. (James 2:12)). It is also commonly used of those who have not settled peace with God, and are still trying by the works of the, law to become just before God (Rom. 4:77Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. (Romans 4:7) Gal. 5:11Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1)). It is well to remember that the word is as equally applicable to the new “bondage” we are brought unto to Christ (1 Cor. 7:2222For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. (1 Corinthians 7:22)) as to the old (of sin and the law), from which we are delivered.