Serviceable
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The term "serviceable" refers to the quality of being useful, functional, or beneficial in fulfilling a purpose or duty. In a biblical context, this concept is often associated with the idea of serving God and others, embodying the principles of humility, dedication, and love.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the concept of being serviceable is closely linked to the roles and duties assigned by God to His people. The Levites, for example, were set apart to be serviceable in the tabernacle, performing tasks that facilitated worship and maintained the sacred space (Numbers 3:5-9). Their service was not only practical but also spiritual, as it enabled the Israelites to draw near to God.

The prophets also emphasized the importance of being serviceable to God through obedience and righteousness. Micah 6:8 states, "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" This verse highlights that being serviceable to God involves living a life that reflects His character and commands.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ exemplifies the ultimate model of serviceability. Philippians 2:7 describes how Jesus "emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness." His life and ministry were marked by acts of service, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and ultimately sacrificing Himself for the salvation of humanity.

The apostles continued this theme, urging believers to be serviceable in their communities and churches. In Romans 12:1 , Paul writes, "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." Here, serviceability is presented as an act of worship, where believers dedicate their lives to God's purposes.

Practical Application

Being serviceable in a biblical sense involves using one's gifts and resources for the benefit of others and the glory of God. 1 Peter 4:10 instructs, "As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another." This stewardship reflects a heart aligned with God's will, seeking to edify the body of Christ and reach out to the world with His love.

The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) further illustrates the importance of being serviceable. The servants who wisely used their master's resources were commended, while the one who failed to do so was rebuked. This parable underscores the expectation that believers actively engage in service, maximizing the opportunities and abilities entrusted to them.

Conclusion

In summary, the biblical concept of being serviceable encompasses a life dedicated to serving God and others. It involves a heart of humility, a commitment to righteousness, and a willingness to use one's gifts for the greater good. Through service, believers reflect the character of Christ and fulfill their calling as His disciples.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (a.) Useful; durable; adapted to any good end use; beneficial; advantageous.

2. (a.) Prepared for rendering service; capable of, or fit for, the performance of duty; hence, active; diligent.

Greek
5543. chrestos -- serviceable, good
... serviceable, good. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: chrestos Phonetic
Spelling: (khrase-tos') Short Definition: useful, gentle, pleasant, kind ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5543.htm - 7k

2173. euchrestos -- useful
... useful. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: euchrestos Phonetic Spelling:
(yoo'-khrays-tos) Short Definition: useful, serviceable Definition: useful ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2173.htm - 6k

2006. epitedeios -- convenient, necessary
... things which are needful. From epitedes (enough); serviceable, ie (by implication)
requisite -- things which are needful. (epitedeia) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2006.htm - 6k

5624. ophelimos -- useful, profitable
... useful, profitable. From a form of ophelos; helpful or serviceable, ie Advantageous --
profit(-able). see GREEK ophelos. (ophelima) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5624.htm - 6k

5539. chresimos -- useful
... Word Origin from chraomai Definition useful NASB Word Usage useless* (1). profit.
From chresis; serviceable -- profit. see GREEK chresis. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5539.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew
5532. cakan -- to be of use or service, benefit
... A primitive root; to be familiar with; by implication, to minister to, be serviceable
to, be customary -- acquaint (self), be advantage, X ever, (be, (un ...
/hebrew/5532.htm - 5k

5660. Abdi -- two Israelites
... NASB Word Usage Abdi (3). Abdi. From abad; serviceable; Abdi, the name of two
Israelites -- Abdi. see HEBREW abad. 5659, 5660. Abdi. 5661 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/5660.htm - 6k

Library

Meaning of the Name Christian.
... First, because that which is anointed [541] is sweet and serviceable, and
far from contemptible. For what ship can be serviceable ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xii meaning of the name.htm

The vine and the Branches.
... If you cut off a yard of the twine, the part cut off has all the qualities and
properties of the remainder, and is perhaps more serviceable apart from the rest ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/xii the vine and the.htm

Introductory.
... who have subjected the teaching of the ancients to systematic philosophic study
have affected, as being in the highest degree serviceable, nay, absolutely ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter i introductory.htm

Letter cccxlvi. Libanius to Basil.
... credit both to you and to me. But to ask you to be serviceable to them
is like asking a father to be serviceable to his children. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cccxlvi libanius to basil.htm

The Law of God
... (Galatians 2:16, 17.) Besides, in this state of sin, the moral law is serviceable,
not only to God, that, by the dread of punishment and the promise of ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 12 the law of.htm

On Costly Vessels.
... soil need a mattock and plough, none of us will make a pickaxe of silver or a sickle
of gold, but we employ the material which is serviceable for agriculture ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter iii on costly vessels.htm

Of the Chief Good and virtue, and or Knowledge and Righteousness.
... And they who strive to be serviceable to their country do all these things: for
they are ignorant of what this being serviceable is, who think nothing useful ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap vi of the chief good.htm

Philippians iii. 3-Jan
... And again, say, when a man may use them for a serviceable purpose, but is unable
on account of the extravagance of his wife, and is obliged to starve and to ...
/.../homily x philippians iii 3-jan.htm

The Wandering Bird
... When I once asked him whether he could not be serviceable to the church as an elder,
he said that if he were elected to it he should decline the office, because ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the wandering bird.htm

Of the Kinds of Beneficence, and Works of Mercy.
... [1178] "And this liberality," he says, "is serviceable even to the state, that captives
should be ransomed from slavery, and that those of slender resources ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xii of the kinds of.htm

Thesaurus
Serviceable (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Serviceable (3 Occurrences). ... Take Mark, and bring him
with thyself, for he is serviceable to me for ministry. (DBY). ...
/s/serviceable.htm - 7k

Good (8348 Occurrences)
... 1. (superl.) Possessing desirable qualities; adapted to answer the end designed;
promoting success, welfare, or happiness; serviceable; useful; fit; excellent ...
/g/good.htm - 26k

Unserviceable (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Unserviceable (1 Occurrence). Philemon 1:11 once
unserviceable to thee, but now serviceable to thee and to me: (DBY). ...
/u/unserviceable.htm - 6k

Useful (14 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Full of use, advantage, or profit; producing, or
having power to produce, good; serviceable for any end or object; helpful ...
/u/useful.htm - 10k

Invent (2 Occurrences)
... study or inquiry; to find out; to devise; to contrive or produce for the first time; --
applied commonly to the discovery of some serviceable mode, instrument ...
/i/invent.htm - 7k

Friendly (17 Occurrences)
... or state. 4. (a.) Promoting the good of any person; favorable; propitious;
serviceable; as, a friendly breeze or gale. 5. (adv.) In ...
/f/friendly.htm - 11k

Effective (4 Occurrences)
... power to produce an effect or result; fit for a purpose; as, an effective tool;
producing a decided or decisive effect; efficient; serviceable; operative; as ...
/e/effective.htm - 8k

Purified (44 Occurrences)
... 2:21 If therefore one shall have purified himself from these, in separating himself
from them, he shall be a vessel to honour, sanctified, serviceable to the ...
/p/purified.htm - 20k

Beneficial (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Useful; profitable; helpful; advantageous;
serviceable; contributing to a valuable end; -- followed by to. ...
/b/beneficial.htm - 7k

Comfortable (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Strong; vigorous; valiant. 2. (a.)
Serviceable; helpful. 3. (a.) Affording or imparting comfort ...
/c/comfortable.htm - 7k

Resources
Who was John Calvin? | GotQuestions.org

Serviceable: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Serviceable (3 Occurrences)

2 Timothy 2:21
If therefore one shall have purified himself from these, in separating himself from them, he shall be a vessel to honour, sanctified, serviceable to the Master, prepared for every good work.
(DBY)

2 Timothy 4:11
Luke alone is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thyself, for he is serviceable to me for ministry.
(DBY)

Philemon 1:11
once unserviceable to thee, but now serviceable to thee and to me:
(Root in DBY)

Subtopics

Serviceable

Related Terms

Services (12 Occurrences)

Oppress (57 Occurrences)

Serviceable (3 Occurrences)

Rameses (5 Occurrences)

Service/Ministry
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