What is a bondservant? How are bondservants viewed in the Bible?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The term "bondservant" in the New Testament (bond-servant or slave in some translations) is a translation of the Greek word doulos . Unlike perceptions of modern slavery, bondservant or doulos is a relatively broad term with a wider range of usage. In the time of the New Testament a bondservant could refer at times to someone who voluntarily served others. In most cases, however, the term referred to a person in a permanent role of service. A bondservant was considered the property of a Roman citizen, holding no right to leave his place of service.

The concept of bondservanthood spans both the Old and New Testaments, albeit with nuanced differences. In the New Testament, the term bondservant (doulos) highlights a voluntary dedication to serve Christ, echoing the apostles' and Jesus' teachings on humility and obedience. This spiritual commitment contrasts with the Old Testament's broader term ebed , which encompasses various forms of servitude from hired workers to slaves, including those devoted to serving God. Throughout biblical texts, there is a consistent emphasis on treating bondservants with dignity, ensuring their rights, and providing pathways for redemption and freedom. The ethical framework guiding interactions within ancient Israelite and early Christian communities reflect a blend of cultural norms and divine guidance on human relationships and responsibilities.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The term bondservant is found in the New Testament. However, in the Old Testament, the term ebed encompasses various roles akin to the New Testament concept of bondservant. It refers to individuals who served others either as hired workers, indentured servants, or slaves owned by others. This term also extends to describe those who faithfully served God, such as prophets and righteous leaders. Old Testament laws regulated servitude, emphasizing humane treatment, provision for rights, and opportunities for release and redemption. While not directly mirroring the New Testament term bondservant, ebed captures the diverse forms of servile relationships and the cultural context of ancient Israelite society.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The New Testament also notes that Jews owned bondservants or slaves (Ephesians 6:5–9; Colossians 3:22–25; 1 Timothy 6:1–2; Titus 2:9–10; 1 Peter 2:18–21).
• Jesus talked about bondservants in His own parables (Matthew 25:14–30; Luke 12:41–48).
• In contrast with the cultural view, Jesus taught that the greatest was the "servant of all" (Mark 9:35).
• In many New Testament books, the word bondservant was used in reference to a person's commitment to Jesus. Many of Paul's letters begin with him referring to himself as a servant of Christ Jesus. James and Jude, half-brothers of Jesus, both refer to themselves as Christ's bondservants (James 1:1; Jude 1:1). The apostle Peter called himself a "servant and apostle" (2 Peter 1:1). Believers are "set free from sin, [and] have become slaves of righteousness" (Romans 6:18). Jesus is a believer’s one Master.
• Paul's most personal letter, the letter to Philemon, offers the most direct discussion of slavery in the New Testament. When the runaway slave Onesimus became a Christian, Paul sent this letter with him to return to his master. Paul wrote, "For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord" (Philemon 1:15–16). He clearly noted that the bondservant and his owner were brothers and of equal status before God. Further, Paul told Philemon to "receive him as you would receive me" (Philemon 1:17). How would Philemon be expected to receive Paul? As a fellow believer, treated with respect. Paul indirectly suggests giving Onesimus his freedom (verse 18). Tradition records that Onesimus later became a church leader.
• The bondservant was a common role in the New Testament period that ranged from slave to bonded laborer. Commands were given to Christians regarding proper treatment, with freedom recommended whenever possible, as well as how to act as a bondservant in a way that honors God (1 Corinthians 7:21).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

As Christians, we are called to see ourselves as bondservants of Christ, willingly dedicating ourselves to His service. This concept, rooted in the New Testament, emphasizes our voluntary commitment to follow Christ's guidance and prioritize His kingdom above all else. Through examples like Paul's letters and Jesus' teachings on servant leadership, we understand that being a bondservant means embodying humility, obedience, and love in our daily lives. It's important to clarify that this biblical term does not endorse historical chattel slavery but signifies a spiritual relationship where believers willingly submit to Christ's authority, reflecting His love and compassion through selfless service to others.

UNDERSTAND

• The New Testament uses "bondservant" (doulos) to denote a voluntary commitment to serve Christ.
• In the Old Testament, ebed encompasses various servile roles, including hired workers, indentured servants, and slaves, as well as those who served God faithfully.
• Biblical teachings emphasize humane treatment and opportunities for release and redemption for bondservants, both in Old and New Testament contexts, as well as instructions on what a godly bondservant looks like, teaching us how to serve.

REFLECT

• What does it look like for you to be a bondservant of Christ?
• How does the idea of bondservanthood challenge or inspire your commitment to faith and service?
• In what practical ways can you embody the qualities of a bondservant (dedication, humility, obedience) in your daily life?

ENGAGE

• Some historians estimate that in the first century as many as one-third of the Roman population lived as bondservants.
• Does talking about bondservants mean the Bible condoned or promoted slavery? Not necessarily. First, it is clear that the role of a bondservant was broader than views of modern slavery, which explains why some New Testament writings gave instructions for "how" to treat bondservants instead of only commanding their freedom.
• How do cultural contexts shape our understanding of bondservanthood in the Bible? What implications does this have for modern-day Christian discipleship?