The term "unserviceable" refers to something that is not useful, effective, or capable of fulfilling its intended purpose. In a biblical context, this concept can be applied to individuals, objects, or actions that fail to meet the standards or purposes set by God. The Bible provides various examples and teachings that illustrate the consequences and spiritual implications of being unserviceable.

Biblical Examples and Teachings

1. Unserviceable Individuals: In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus describes a servant who is given a talent but fails to use it productively. Instead, he buries it, rendering it unserviceable. The master rebukes him, calling him a "wicked and lazy servant" (Matthew 25:26). This parable highlights the expectation that believers should actively use their God-given gifts and opportunities for the Kingdom's advancement.

2. Unserviceable Objects: In the Old Testament, the prophet Jeremiah uses the imagery of a marred pot to describe the nation of Israel's unserviceability due to their disobedience. "So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the vessel he was shaping from the clay became flawed in his hand, so he formed it into another vessel, as it seemed best for him to do" (Jeremiah 18:3-4). This passage illustrates how God, as the divine potter, desires to mold His people into vessels of honor, but their rebellion can render them unfit for His purposes.

3. Unserviceable Actions: The Apostle Paul warns against actions that are unserviceable to the Christian life. In Ephesians 5:11, he instructs believers to "Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them" . Actions that do not produce spiritual fruit are considered unserviceable and contrary to the life of holiness to which Christians are called.

Spiritual Implications

Being unserviceable in the eyes of God carries significant spiritual implications. It reflects a failure to live up to the potential and purpose for which one was created. The Bible emphasizes the importance of being fruitful and effective in one's faith. Jesus states, "Every branch in Me that bears no fruit, He takes away; and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes, that it may bear more fruit" (John 15:2). This metaphor underscores the necessity of remaining connected to Christ and being productive in one's spiritual life.

Call to Service

The Scriptures consistently call believers to be serviceable, actively engaging in good works and living lives that reflect God's glory. Paul exhorts the church in Colossae, "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men" (Colossians 3:23). This call to wholehearted service is a reminder that every action should be done with the intention of serving God and fulfilling His purposes.

In summary, the concept of being unserviceable in the Bible serves as a warning and a call to action for believers. It challenges individuals to examine their lives, ensuring that they are living in a manner that is useful and pleasing to God, bearing fruit for His Kingdom.

From the Latin Translation of Cassiodorus.
... [3730] He indeed gave Himself up to those who judged according to an unjust law;
because He was unserviceable to them, inasmuch as He was righteous: or, He ...
/.../who is the rich man that shall be saved/i from the latin translation of.htm

Synopsis. --Account to be Made of the Law of Atrophy through ...
... An antiquated argument does not long survive in the world of thought.[38] Military
weapons that have become unserviceable soon find their way either to the ...
/.../whiton/miracles and supernatural religion/vii synopsis account to be made.htm

Autolycus an Idolater and Scorner of Christians.
... case, as you suppose, that the name of God is hard to bear; but possibly you entertain
this opinion of God, because you are yourself yet unserviceable to Him. ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter i autolycus an idolater and.htm

Letter Xlv (Circa AD 1120) to a Youth Named Fulk, who Afterwards ...
... not think yourself pitiable. Nor shall it be unserviceable to you to hear
patiently why you are compassionated. In feeling your ...
/.../some letters of saint bernard abbot of clairvaux/letter xlv circa a d 1120.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... up in a hurry, the former captain having resigned his command on the ground that
the ship was not sea-worthy, and that the engines were frequently unserviceable ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 16.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. v. 22, "Whosoever Shall Say to ...
... The very beasts of burden, as they are called, are by their nature wild.
For in their untamed state they are unserviceable. But ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon v on the words.htm

Folly of Idolatry.
... What then? Melt your useless images, and make useful vessels. Melt the unserviceable
and inactive metal, and make implements fit for the use of men. ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xv folly of idolatry.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xiv. 24, "But the Boat was Now ...
... For when all counsels fail, when even the rudder is unserviceable, and the very
spreading of the sails is rather dangerous than useful, when all human help and ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxv on the words.htm

On Daniel. I. Preface by the Most Holy Hippolytus, (Bishop) of ...
... Dishonoured is Jeconias, like an unserviceable vessel, of which there is no use,
since he is cast out and expelled into a land which he knew not. ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on daniel i preface by.htm

Translator's Introductory Notice.
... treatise to his ignorance of the original language of the Old Testament; and while
his knowledge of that of the New was probably not so unserviceable as has ...
/.../augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/translators introductory notice .htm

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

Useless (47 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Having, or being of, no use; unserviceable; producing
no good end; answering no valuable purpose; not advancing the end proposed ...
/u/useless.htm - 19k

Unselfishness (1 Occurrence)

/u/unselfishness.htm - 6k

Unsettle (1 Occurrence)

/u/unsettle.htm - 6k

Serviceable (3 Occurrences)
... serviceable to me for ministry. (DBY). Philemon 1:11 once unserviceable to
thee, but now serviceable to thee and to me: (Root in DBY). ...
/s/serviceable.htm - 7k

Unserviceable: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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