Lexical Summary douleia: Slavery, bondage, servitude Original Word: δουλεία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bondage. From douleuo; slavery (ceremonially or figuratively) -- bondage. see GREEK douleuo HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 1397 douleía (a feminine noun) – bondage, a brand of slavery (enslavement). See 1401 (doulos). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom douleuó Definition slavery NASB Translation slavery (4), slaves (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1397: δουλείαδουλεία (Tdf. δουλια (see Iota)), δουλείας, ἡ, (δουλεύω); slavery, bondage, the condition of a slave: τῆς φθορᾶς, the bondage which consists in decay (Winers Grammar, § 59, 8 a., cf. Buttmann, 78 (68)), equivalent to the law, the necessity, of perishing, Romans 8:21; used of the slavish sense of fear, devoid alike of buoyancy of spirit and of trust in God, such as is produced by the thought of death, Hebrews 2:15, as well as by the Mosaic law in its votaries, Romans 8:15 (πνεῦμα δουλείας); the Mosaic system is said to cause δουλεία on account of the grievous burdens its precepts impose upon its adherents: Galatians 4:24; Galatians 5:1. (From Pindar down.) Topical Lexicon OverviewStrong’s Greek 1397 appears five times in the New Testament and consistently pictures the state of forced subjection from which Christ liberates His people. Whether applied to the law, fear, corruption, or death, it contrasts sharply with the liberty granted through the gospel. Historical Background In the Greco-Roman world a vast percentage of the population lived in literal servitude. Readers of Paul and the writer to the Hebrews instinctively understood the helplessness, lack of legal standing, and vulnerability associated with that condition. Scripture seizes the imagery and turns it into a spiritual category: humanity is naturally confined under powers it cannot escape apart from divine intervention. Occurrences and Context 1. Galatians 4:24 links Hagar and Mount Sinai to “children into slavery,” emphasizing that the Mosaic covenant, when treated as a means of justification, can only imprison. Old Testament Roots Israel’s rescue from Egypt (Exodus 20:2) stands as the paradigmatic act of liberation. The prophets repeatedly recalled this event to motivate covenant fidelity and social justice (Jeremiah 34:13-17). The Jubilee legislation foretold full release (Leviticus 25). The New Testament writers draw on that heritage, showing Jesus as the greater Moses whose exodus sets not only one nation but all creation free. Key Theological Motifs Freedom versus Fear Romans 8:15 locates the essence of slavery in fear, particularly the fear of judgment. The Spirit displaces this with assurance, enabling the cry “Abba, Father!” Law versus Grace Galatians demonstrates that attempting to earn righteousness by law restores the very bondage Christ broke. True obedience grows out of freedom, not as the price of it. Corruption versus Glory Romans 8:21 personifies creation as a slave groaning for release. Human redemption and cosmic restoration are inseparable; the liberty of the children of God becomes the liberty of the universe. Death versus Life Hebrews 2:15 identifies the fear of death as the tyrant’s whip. Christ’s resurrection strips death of mastery, granting believers courage to live and die in hope. Pastoral and Ministry Significance Identity Formation Believers must continually remember that they are sons and daughters, not prisoners. This shapes worship, prayer, and moral decision-making. Teaching on Assurance Highlighting the contrast between slavery-fear and adoption helps congregations resist legalism and cultivate gospel security. Counseling and Discipleship Many struggle with paralyzing fear or lingering guilt. Pointing to Hebrews 2:15 provides a Christ-centered remedy rather than mere psychological techniques. Mission and Social Concern While the term functions primarily metaphorically in these texts, Scripture’s consistent portrayal of God as Liberator energizes efforts to oppose modern forms of exploitation. Doctrinal Summary Strong’s 1397 encapsulates humanity’s plight under sin, law, fear, decay, and death. Jesus Christ decisively breaks every chain, initiating an era of Spirit-empowered freedom that will culminate in new-creation glory. The church is therefore summoned to stand firm in liberty, proclaim release to captives, and live as confident children of the Father until that final day when every vestige of bondage disappears forever. Forms and Transliterations δουλεία δουλειαν δουλείαν δουλειας δουλείας douleian douleían douleias douleíasLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Romans 8:15 N-GFSGRK: ἐλάβετε πνεῦμα δουλείας πάλιν εἰς NAS: a spirit of slavery leading KJV: the spirit of bondage again INT: you received a spirit of bondage again unto Romans 8:21 N-GFS Galatians 4:24 N-AFS Galatians 5:1 N-GFS Hebrews 2:15 N-GFS Strong's Greek 1397 |
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