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Enslavement and Gender in the New Testament Jesus, Slavery, and Unconventional Masculinity Caryn A. Reeder In the first-century Roman Empire, men generally held privileged status. Masculinity was conceived as exercising power over both self and others through self-discipline, violence, and authority in the community and household. This paradigm often proved socially problematic and fostered injustice and abuse of those in socially weaker positions. Masculinity was defined in contrast with femi - ninity, childishness, and (significantly) slavery. Enslavement was masculinity’s opposite, entailing a lack of power and autonomy over oneself and others. Against this background, the New Testament uses the metaphor of slavery to describe both Jesus and what he expected of his dis - ciples. In doing so, it redefined masculinity for the Christian. This well-researched book by an expert on gender and the New Testa- ment explores slavery and gender in the Roman Empire and uses that background to interpret key passages that employ enslave- ment imagery, such as Mark 10:41–45, Luke 22:24–27, Philippians 2:1–11, and 1 Peter 2:18–25. Further, it helps readers understand how enslaved first-century Christians may have interpreted and applied these texts. The book’s conclusions address the significance of “un - conventional masculinity” for Christology, discipleship, and church leadership. “A bold, meticulous, and morally serious study of slavery, Jesus, and unconventional masculinity. Historically rigorous, exegetically compelling, and theologically consequential—this book is essen- tial reading for New Testament scholars, scholars of gender and slavery in antiquity, theologians, pastors, and serious readers of Scripture.” —Alice Yafeh-Deigh, Azusa Pacific University “I enthusiastically recommend this contribution to slavery, gender, and early Christian studies.” —Emerson B. Powery, Messiah University CONTENTS Introduction: The Intersections of Slavery and Masculinity in the New Testament 1. First Peter 2:18–25: Slavery and the Roman Empire 2. Masculinity and the Un-Gendering of Enslavement 3. Imitating Christ the Slave: Masculinity and Christian Iden- tity in Paul 4. Slave of All: Masculinity and Authority in the Dining Room 5. Mary the Slave Conclusions Index
NOVEMBER 2026 • 272 pp. • $29.99p • 9781540969033
Caryn A. Reeder (PhD, University of Cambridge) is professor of New Testament and coordinator of the gender studies program at Westmont College. She is the author of Gendering War and Peace in the Gospel of Luke and The Samaritan Woman’s Story as well as a number of scholarly articles and chapters.
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