Topical Bible: Servants: should be Compassionate to Their Fellows

◄ Servants: should be Compassionate to Their Fellows ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the role of a servant is often discussed with an emphasis on humility, obedience, and faithfulness. However, an equally important aspect of servanthood is the call to be compassionate towards fellow servants and others. This principle is deeply rooted in the teachings of both the Old and New Testaments, where compassion is seen as a reflection of God's own nature and a requirement for those who serve Him.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays the groundwork for understanding the importance of compassion among servants. In Leviticus 19:18 , the Israelites are commanded, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD." This commandment underscores the necessity of compassion and kindness, extending even to those who serve alongside us.

The account of Joseph in Genesis provides a practical example of compassion in servanthood. Despite being sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph rises to a position of authority in Egypt and ultimately shows compassion to his brothers during a time of famine (Genesis 45:4-5). His actions demonstrate a heart of forgiveness and mercy, qualities that are essential for any servant of God.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament further emphasizes the importance of compassion among servants. Jesus Christ, the ultimate servant, exemplifies compassion throughout His ministry. In Matthew 20:26-28 , Jesus teaches, "Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." Here, Jesus highlights that true greatness in the kingdom of God is marked by a servant's heart, characterized by compassion and selflessness.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the need for compassion among believers, including servants. In Ephesians 4:32 , he writes, "Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you." This exhortation calls for a community where compassion and forgiveness are prevalent, reflecting the grace that believers have received through Christ.

Parables and Illustrations

Jesus often used parables to illustrate the importance of compassion. The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant in Matthew 18:21-35 serves as a poignant reminder of the necessity of compassion among servants. In this parable, a servant who is forgiven a great debt by his master refuses to forgive a fellow servant a much smaller debt. The master, upon hearing this, rebukes the unforgiving servant, highlighting the expectation that those who have received mercy should also extend it to others.

Practical Implications

The call for servants to be compassionate to their fellows has practical implications for daily life. It encourages a culture of mutual respect, understanding, and support among those who serve together. Compassionate servanthood fosters an environment where individuals are valued and cared for, reflecting the love of Christ in tangible ways.

In summary, the biblical mandate for servants to be compassionate to their fellows is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. It is a call to emulate the character of God, who is compassionate and gracious, and to live out the teachings of Christ, who exemplified perfect servanthood.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 18:33
Should not you also have had compassion on your fellow servant, even as I had pity on you?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Approaching Doom
... relationship with the all-merciful and compassionate Being who ... Pharaoh king of Egypt,
and his servants, and his ... of earth"until God's purpose should have been ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 35 approaching doom.htm

Compassion for Souls
... your children, your school classes, your servants, ay, and ... It should at least be
the resolve of each ... O ye saints, compassionate sinners; sigh and cry for them ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/compassion for souls.htm

Prayer and Labor for the Gathering of the Great Harvest.
... of God and salvation; and His deeply compassionate heart was ... but wash the feet of
my Lord's servants, I shall ... feeling that life is before them, should say"I ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xix prayer and labor for.htm

The Final Unmasking.
... themselves, so long will they use the servants of the ... Just so terrible is it that
it should be Judas ... Let us therefore be compassionate and humble, and hope for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the final unmasking.htm

On the Clause, and in one Lord Jesus Christ, with a Reading from ...
... just as some excellent physician or compassionate teacher; though He ... the Angel foretold
that He should be called ... as Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture x on the clause.htm

The Unchangeable Christ
... Holy Spirit, dwell with thy servants!" We know ... ruled everywhere, nobody thought,
I should imagine, that ... be unchanged even there, as compassionate and loving to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 40 1894/the unchangeable christ.htm

The Pattern of Service
... if we would 'approve ourselves as the servants of God ... forth, yet more loving, yet
more compassionate, the effulgence ... him to long for a man who should speak with ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the pattern of service.htm

Sorrow Turned into Joy
... the double result of Christ's Cross upon His servants. ... His loving care, of His tender,
compassionate, complacent, ever ... the universe were not, I should have all ...
/.../sorrow turned into joy.htm

Book Three the Story of his Student Days in Carthage, his ...
... we do and art more incorruptibly compassionate, although thou art ... 78] "who doubts
but that it should be done ... and so I mocked those holy servants and prophets ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book three the story of.htm

Striking Similes
... Eyes like deep wells of compassionate gloom. ... Rage, rage ye tears, that never more
should creep like hounds about ... She could summon tears as one summons servants. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section viii striking similes.htm