1400. doulos

Lexicon

doulos: Servant, slave, bondservant

Original Word: δοῦλος
Part of Speech: Noun
Transliteration: doulos
Pronunciation: DOO-los
Phonetic Spelling: (doo'-lon)
Definition: Servant, slave, bondservant
Meaning: slavish, servile

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

servant.

Neuter of doulos; subservient -- servant.

see GREEK doulos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
adjective from doulos
Definition
slavish, servile.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1400: δοῦλος

δοῦλος, δούλη, δοῦλον (derived by most from δέω, to tie, bind; by some from ΔΑΛΩ, to ensnare, capture ((?) others besides; cf. Vanicek, p. 322)); serving, subject to: παρεστήσατε τά μέλη ὑμῶν δοῦλα τῇ ἀκαθαρσία, Romans 6:19. Then substantively, ἡ δούλη, a female slave, bondmaid, handmaid: τοῦ Θεοῦ, τοῦ κυρίου, one who worships God and submits to him, Acts 2:18 (from Joel 2:29 ()); Luke 1:38, 48. ὁ δοῦλος, the Sept. for עֶבֶד;

1. a slave, bondman, man of servile condition;

a. properly: opposed to ἐλεύθερος, 1 Corinthians 7:21; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 6:8; Colossians 3:11; Revelation 6:15; Revelation 13:16; Revelation 19:18; opposed to κύριος, δεσπότης, οἰκοδεσπότης, Matthew 10:24; Matthew 13:27; Luke 12:46; John 15:15 Ephesians 6:5; Colossians 3:22; Colossians 4:1; 1 Timothy 6:1; Titus 2:9, and very often.

b. metaphorically, α. one who gives himself up wholly to another's will, 1 Corinthians 7:23; or dominion, τῆς ἁμαρτίας, John 8:34; Romans 6:17, 20; τῆς φθορᾶς, 2 Peter 2:19, (τῶν ἡδονῶν, Athen. 12, p. 531 c.; τῶν χρημάτων, Plutarch, Pelop c. 3; τοῦ πίνειν, Aelian v. h. 2, 41). β. the δοῦλοι Χριστοῦ, τοῦ Χριστοῦ, Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, are those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men: used of apostles, Romans 1:1; Galatians 1:10; Philippians 1:1; 2 Timothy 2:24; Titus 1:1; James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; of other preachers and teachers of the gospel, Colossians 4:12; 2 Timothy 2:24; Jude 1:1; of the true worshippers of Christ (who is κύριος πάντων, Acts 10:36), Ephesians 6:6. The δοῦλοι τοῦ Θεοῦ, יְהוָה עַבְדֵי, are those whose agency God employs in executing his purposes: used of apostles, Acts 4:29; Acts 16:17; of Moses (Joshua 1:1), Revelation 15:3; of prophets (Jeremiah 7:25; Jeremiah 25:4), Revelation 1:1; Revelation 10:7; Revelation 11:18; of all who obey God's commands, his true worshippers, Luke 2:29; Revelation 2:20; Revelation 7:3; Revelation 19:2, 5; Revelation 22:3, 6; (Psalm 33:23 (); Psalm 68:37 (); Psalm 88:4, 21 ()). γ. δοῦλος τίνος, devoted to another to the disregard of one's own interests: Matthew 20:27; Mark 10:44; strenuously laboring for another's salvation, 2 Corinthians 4:5.

2. a servant, attendant, (of a king): Matthew 18:23, 26ff. (Synonym: see διάκονος.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the root verb δέω (deo), meaning "to bind."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • עֶבֶד (ebed) • Strong's Hebrew 5650: A servant, slave, or bondman. This term is used in the Old Testament to describe individuals in servitude, both in literal and figurative senses, similar to the Greek δοῦλος.

Usage: The term δοῦλος is used in the New Testament to describe individuals who are in servitude, either literally as slaves or metaphorically as devoted followers of Christ. It emphasizes the complete submission and dedication of the servant to the master.

Context: The term δοῦλος appears frequently in the New Testament, reflecting the socio-economic realities of the ancient world where slavery was a common institution. However, its theological significance extends beyond the literal sense. In the New Testament, δοῦλος is often used to describe the relationship between believers and Christ, highlighting themes of obedience, humility, and service.

In the Gospels, Jesus uses the concept of servanthood to teach about the nature of true greatness in the Kingdom of God. For instance, in Matthew 20:27, Jesus states, "and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave (δοῦλος)." This teaching subverts the conventional understanding of power and authority, presenting servanthood as a virtue.

The Apostle Paul frequently identifies himself as a δοῦλος of Christ, as seen in Romans 1:1, "Paul, a servant (δοῦλος) of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God." This self-identification underscores Paul's total commitment and submission to the will of Christ, serving as a model for Christian discipleship.

The metaphorical use of δοῦλος also extends to the relationship between believers and sin. In Romans 6:17, Paul contrasts being slaves to sin with being slaves to righteousness: "But thanks be to God that, though you once were slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were committed."

The concept of δοῦλος in the New Testament thus encapsulates the dual aspects of servitude: the negative connotation of bondage to sin and the positive connotation of willing and devoted service to Christ. It calls believers to a life of humble service, reflecting the servanthood of Christ Himself.

Forms and Transliterations

δούλα

Englishman's Concordance

δουλευέτωσαν — 1 Occ.
δουλεύω — 2 Occ.
δουλεύων — 2 Occ.
δουλεύοντες — 3 Occ.
δουλεύουσιν — 1 Occ.
δουλεύσει — 1 Occ.
δουλεύσουσιν — 1 Occ.
ἐδουλεύσατε — 1 Occ.
ἐδούλευσεν — 1 Occ.
δούλας — 1 Occ.
δούλης — 1 Occ.
δοῦλα — 2 Occ.
Δοῦλε — 6 Occ.
δούλῳ — 6 Occ.
δούλων — 5 Occ.
δοῦλοι — 22 Occ.
δούλοις — 7 Occ.
δοῦλον — 18 Occ.
δοῦλος — 35 Occ.
δούλου — 6 Occ.