Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, the term "servant" often refers to individuals who are in a position of servitude or bondage, commonly known as bondservants. These individuals, while bound to serve their masters, were not to be deprived of religious privileges and were to be included in the spiritual life of the household. This inclusion reflects the broader biblical principle of equality before God and the extension of His covenant to all members of a household, regardless of social status.Old Testament Context The Old Testament provides several insights into the treatment and religious inclusion of bondservants. In Genesis 17:12-13 , God commands Abraham regarding the covenant of circumcision: "Every male among you shall be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and you. For the generations to come, every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring." This passage indicates that bondservants were to be included in the covenant community, participating in its religious rites and privileges. The Passover regulations further emphasize this inclusion. In Exodus 12:44 , it is stated, "But if a slave has been purchased by you, after you have circumcised him, he may eat of it." This directive ensures that bondservants, once circumcised, could partake in the Passover meal, a central religious observance for the Israelites, symbolizing their deliverance from bondage in Egypt. New Testament Context The New Testament continues to affirm the spiritual equality and inclusion of bondservants within the Christian community. In Galatians 3:28 , the Apostle Paul declares, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This verse underscores the spiritual unity and equality of all believers, regardless of their social status, and implies that bondservants are to be fully integrated into the life of the church. In the household codes found in the Pauline epistles, bondservants are addressed directly, indicating their active participation in the Christian community. For instance, in Colossians 3:22-24 , Paul instructs, "Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." This passage not only calls bondservants to serve faithfully but also assures them of their spiritual inheritance and standing before God. Implications for the Master's Household The inclusion of bondservants in religious privileges had significant implications for the master's household. It required the master to recognize the spiritual dignity and worth of the bondservants, treating them as fellow participants in the faith. This is reflected in the ethical instructions given to masters in Ephesians 6:9 : "And masters, do the same for your slaves. Give up your use of threats, because you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him." The biblical mandate for the inclusion of bondservants in religious life serves as a reminder of the overarching theme of God's impartiality and the call for His people to reflect His justice and mercy in their relationships with others. Nave's Topical Index Deuteronomy 12:12,18And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates; for as much as he has no part nor inheritance with you. Nave's Topical Index Deuteronomy 16:11,14 Deuteronomy 29:10,11 Library The First Epistle of St. Peter The Duty of the People of God to Excite Others to Seek this Rest. Appeal to the Christian Women of the South Period I: the Imperial State Church of the Undivided Empire, or ... Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon: Against Jovinianus. Chaldaean Civilization The Political Constitution of Egypt Memoir of John Bunyan The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria Resources What does it mean to be a servant of Christ? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is servant evangelism? | GotQuestions.org What is a bondservant / bond-servant? | GotQuestions.org Servant: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Servant: Bond by the Roman Centurion Servant: Bond used As Soldiers by Abraham Servant: Bond: An Abandoned Sick Man Servant: Bond: Bond Service Threatened, As a National Punishment, for the Disobedience of Israel Servant: Bond: Bought and Sold Servant: Bond: Captive Bondservants Shared by Priests and Levites Servant: Bond: Captives of War Became Slaves Servant: Bond: Children of Defaulting Debtors Sold As Servant: Bond: David Erroneously Supposed to be a Fugitive Slave Servant: Bond: Defaulting Debtors Made Servant: Bond: Degrading Influences of Bondage Exemplified by Cowardice Servant: Bond: Emancipation of Servant: Bond: Equal Status of, With Other Disciples of Jesus Servant: Bond: Freedmen Called "Libertines" Servant: Bond: Fugitive, not to be Returned to his Master Servant: Bond: Hagar, Commanded by an Angel to Return to Sarah (Sarai), Her Owner Servant: Bond: Kidnapping Forbidden Servant: Bond: Kindness To, Commanded Servant: Bond: Laws of Moses Concerning Servant: Bond: Must be Circumcised Servant: Bond: Must Enjoy Religious Privileges With the Master's Household Servant: Bond: Must Have Rest on the Sabbath Servant: Bond: Onesimus Interceded For, by Paul Servant: Bond: Owned by Priests Servant: Bond: Rights of Those Born to a Master Servant: Bond: Slaves Owned Slaves Servant: Bond: Sought by Shimei Servant: Bond: Taken in Concubinage Servant: Bond: The Master Could Marry, or Give in Marriage Servant: Bond: Thieves Punished by Being Made Servant: Bond: Voluntary Servitude of Servant: Good of the Roman Centurion Servant: Good: Servants in the Parable of the Pounds and the Parable of the Talents Servant: Hired: Await Employment in the Marketplace Servant: Hired: The Father of the Prodigal Son Servant: Hired: The Laborers of a Vineyard Servant: Hired: The Rebellious Son Servant: Hired: Treatment of, More Considerate than That of Slaves Servant: Hired: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Servant: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful in the Parable of the Talents and the Parable of the Pounds Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful in the Parable of the Vineyard Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Abimelech Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Abraham and Lot Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Absalom Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Amon Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Joash Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Job Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Shimei Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Ziba Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful: Gehazi Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful: Jeroboam Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful: Onesimus Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful: Zimri Related Terms Woman-servant (12 Occurrences) Servant-girls (12 Occurrences) Fellow-servant (6 Occurrences) Brother-servant (2 Occurrences) |
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