In biblical times, the term "bond-servant" referred to individuals who were in a state of servitude, often due to economic necessity or as a result of debt. The concept of a bond-servant is deeply rooted in the socio-economic structures of ancient Near Eastern cultures, including those of the Israelites. The term is frequently encountered in both the Old and New Testaments, where it carries significant theological and moral implications.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "servant" or "slave" is "ebed." The Mosaic Law provided specific regulations regarding the treatment of bond-servants, emphasizing humane and just treatment. For instance, Exodus 21:2-6 outlines the conditions under which a Hebrew servant might serve for six years and be released in the seventh year. This regulation reflects the principle of the Sabbatical year, a time of liberation and rest.

Leviticus 25:39-43 further stipulates that if a fellow Israelite becomes poor and sells himself to another, he should not be treated as a slave but as a hired worker or temporary resident. This underscores the dignity and worth of every individual, even in servitude. The Jubilee year, occurring every 50th year, was another provision for the release of bond-servants, highlighting God's desire for freedom and restoration.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Greek term "doulos" is commonly translated as "servant" or "bond-servant." The Apostle Paul frequently uses this term to describe his own relationship to Christ, as well as the relationship of believers to God. For example, in Romans 1:1, Paul introduces himself as "a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God." This self-identification emphasizes total devotion and submission to the will of Christ.

The New Testament also addresses the relationship between bond-servants and their earthly masters. Ephesians 6:5-8 instructs bond-servants to obey their earthly masters with respect and sincerity, as they would obey Christ. This passage highlights the principle of serving wholeheartedly, as service to the Lord, regardless of one's earthly status.

Similarly, Colossians 3:22-24 encourages bond-servants to work diligently, not merely to please human masters but to serve the Lord Christ. This teaching elevates the status of bond-servants by recognizing their work as a form of worship and service to God.

Theological Implications

The concept of being a bond-servant to Christ is central to Christian theology. It signifies a voluntary and wholehearted commitment to follow Jesus, characterized by obedience, humility, and service. This spiritual servitude is not burdensome but is seen as a path to true freedom and fulfillment in Christ.

In Philippians 2:7, Christ Himself is described as taking "the form of a servant" (doulos), exemplifying the ultimate act of humility and obedience. This model of servanthood is foundational for Christian ethics, calling believers to emulate Christ's selfless love and service to others.

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of bond-servants, both in the context of human relationships and in the spiritual relationship with Christ, offers profound insights into the nature of service, freedom, and identity. It challenges believers to live lives marked by devotion, integrity, and a commitment to serving God and others.1401. doulos -- a slave
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a slave NASB Word Usage bond-servant
(11), bond-servants (12), bondslave (3), bondslaves (8), both men and women ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1401.htm - 7k

Are You Willing to be a Servant?
... Then there are the bond-servants, or slaves, who have no rights, who receive
no wages and who have no appeal. The Hebrews were forbidden ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/chapter 8 are you willing.htm

Whether the Old Law Set Forth Suitable Precepts About the Members ...
... written (Lev.25:39, seqq.): "If thy brother, constrained by poverty, sell himself
to thee, thou shalt not oppress him with the service of bondservants: but he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the old law set.htm

The Intimacy of Human Hearts in Christ
... Ver.1. +Paul and Timotheus, bondservants of Christ Jesus, to all the holy ones+
in union with +Christ Jesus who are living at Philippi, Overseers, Workers, and ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/moule/philippian studies/chapter ii the intimacy of.htm

Third Sunday after Easter
... well-doing ye should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16 as free, and
not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/third sunday after easter.htm

Every Sin --Every False Doctrine is a "Gate of Hades. "
... a certain gate of Hades; but those who co-operate with the teaching of the architect
of such things are servants and stewards, who are the bond-servants of the ...
/.../12 every sinevery false doctrine.htm

The Captions of the Arabic Canons Attributed to the Council of ...
... Canon I. [109] Insane persons and energumens should not be ordained. Canon
II. Bond servants are not to be ordained. Canon III. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the captions of the arabic.htm

The Epistles to the Corinthians.
... Let each man abide in that calling wherein he was called (7:20). Ye were
bought with a price; become not bondservants of men (7:23). ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 90 the epistles to.htm

The Title of the Book.
... It is His Apocalupsis which God gave Him the right or authority to show, make known,
or represent to his bondservants what must shortly come to pass. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the title of the book.htm

Against Jovinianus.
... being free, is Christ's bondservant. Ye were bought with a price; become
not bondservants of men. Brethren, let each man, wherein ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm

Second Sunday in Lent
... your freedom for an occasion to the flesh"; and Peter (1 Pet 2, 16), "As free, and
not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/second sunday in lent.htm

Bondservants (39 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Bondservants (39 Occurrences). Matthew ... other. You
cannot be the bondservants both of God and of gold. (WEY). ...
/b/bondservants.htm - 18k

Bond-servants (12 Occurrences)
Bond-servants. Bondservants, Bond-servants. Bondservice . Multi-Version
Concordance ... Bondservants, Bond-servants. Bondservice . Reference Bible.
/b/bond-servants.htm - 9k

Bondmaids (6 Occurrences)
... with ships, by the way of which I said to you, You shall see it no more again: and
there you shall sell yourselves to your enemies for bondservants and for ...
/b/bondmaids.htm - 8k

Surrender (18 Occurrences)
... Romans 6:16 Do you not know that if you surrender yourselves as bondservants to
obey any one, you become the bondservants of him whom you obey, whether the ...
/s/surrender.htm - 13k

Result (73 Occurrences)
... Romans 6:16 Do you not know that if you surrender yourselves as bondservants to
obey any one, you become the bondservants of him whom you obey, whether the ...
/r/result.htm - 27k

Slaves (119 Occurrences)
... Romans 6:17 But thanks be to God, that, whereas you were bondservants of sin, you
became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereunto you were ...
/s/slaves.htm - 34k

Tyranny (4 Occurrences)
... crushed, (WEY). Romans 6:18 You were set free from the tyranny of Sin, and
became the bondservants of Righteousness-- (WEY). Romans 6 ...
/t/tyranny.htm - 7k

Enslaved (18 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:19 promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of
corruption; for a man is brought into bondage by whoever overcomes him. ...
/e/enslaved.htm - 12k

Excuse (13 Occurrences)
... Only do not turn your freedom into an excuse for giving way to your lower natures;
but become bondservants to one another in a spirit of love. (WEY). ...
/e/excuse.htm - 11k

Levy (19 Occurrences)
... who were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel were not able
utterly to destroy, of them did Solomon raise a levy of bondservants to this day ...
/l/levy.htm - 13k

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