The Life of a Bond-Slave

February 14, 2021

The word servant comes from the Greek word doulos, which means bond-slave. It is used 127 times in the New Testament and always speaks of a slave. In nearly every English translation, the word servant is used, but slave could be used in its place.

Slave: a person who is legally owned by someone else and whose entire livelihood and purpose was determined by their master.

We are born in slavery to sin.

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.Romans 6:17-18

By faith and repentance, we are redeemed.

For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.Mark 10:45

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.1 Timothy 2:5-6

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.Galatians 4:4-5

Once we are saved, we now serve a new Master.

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.Romans 6:22-23

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.Romans 10:9

For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.1 Corinthians 7:22-23

We are saved by submitting to the authority and lordship of Jesus Christ.

A bond-slave owns nothing.

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.Matthew 25:14-15

And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.Job 1:21

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.James 1:17

A bond-slave exercises no rights of their own.

No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.2 Timothy 2:4

A bond-slave takes on lowly tasks.

So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.John 13:12-17

A bond-slave serves at the pleasure of the master.

Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.Luke 17:9-10

The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.Matthew 10:24

A bond-slave only seeks the approval of the master.

Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.John 8:28-29

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.Galatians 1:10

A bond-slave finds joy in service and obedience.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.John 13:16-17

A bond-slave’s status was always related to the status of his master.

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.James 1:1

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:2 Peter 1:1

Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;Titus 1:1

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,Romans 1:1

Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:Philippians 1:1

“Slavery then was a social relationship between two persons where one had nothing, willed nothing and received nothing but what the master authorized, desired and provided.”

QUESTIONS FOR MEDITATION

If Jesus submitted Himself as a bond-slave to the Father, why can’t I?

Am I submitted to the Master in some areas, but not others?

Am I trying to serve two masters?

Am I living a life that is liberated and living in freedom from my sin?