Servant(bondman, manservant, bond servant, slave)
“Slave, bondservant”
Summary
One who serves another, ranging from slaves to hired workers to royal officials, and used especially of those who serve God and His people.
☩Terminology and Types
The Hebrew ebed and Greek doulos primarily denote slaves rather than hired servants, though English translations often obscure this. The term 'servant' appears in many contexts: attendants to persons of rank, officials serving kings, hired laborers, and those enslaved either by birth, purchase, debt, or conquest. A distinction exists between the bondslave and the hired servant, the latter having greater freedom and receiving wages.
☩Servants of God
The title 'servant of the Lord' or 'servant of God' denotes special relationship and faithful obedience. Moses, Joshua, David, and the prophets are called God's servants, indicating their consecration to His service and their privileged position as instruments of His will. The supreme example is Isaiah's suffering Servant, who bears the sins of many—fulfilled in Jesus Christ. All believers are servants of Christ, freed from sin's bondage to serve righteousness.
☩Jesus the Servant
Jesus explicitly identified with servant status, declaring He came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom. Paul describes Christ emptying Himself and taking the form of a servant, being found in human likeness and humbling Himself to death on a cross. This servant role fulfilled Isaiah's prophecies of one despised and rejected, wounded for our transgressions, numbered with transgressors, yet exalted and highly praised.
☩Servant Leadership
Jesus taught that greatness in His kingdom comes through service—whoever would be first must be servant of all. This reverses worldly values where rulers lord it over subjects. Christian leaders are stewards and servants of Christ, accountable for how they serve His household. The faithful servant receives commendation: 'Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your master.'
Related Verses1023 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Servant," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Servant," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Servant," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Servant," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).