What is a Bondservant in the Bible?
A bondservant is a person who serves someone else. This term can be found in the Bible in several places. Exodus 21, Philippians, and Revelation all mention it. This article will explore how the Bible uses this word. You will also see what Paul meant when he said that believers are Christ’s bondservants.
Revelation
The word “Revelation” comes from the Greek word apokalypsis, which means to reveal or unveil. In Revelation, a bondservant is someone who is subordinate to another. He has no rights of his own and must remain with his master for the rest of his life or until one of them dies. Those who follow the Lord are bound to be bondservants of Christ.
The role of bondservant was common in the New Testament period, ranging from slave to bonded laborer. As Christians, we were given commandments to treat bondservants with dignity and respect. We were also encouraged to free them whenever possible. In this light, the bondservant image became important in Christian circles. Ultimately, the goal is to live as Christ’s bondservant.
Exodus 21
A bondservant is a person who serves another person. In the Bible, this person is often a female. These women are often sold by poor parents to serve as their husbands’ wives. A bondservant is a person who does not have a choice but to serve another person. A bondservant must be treated as a virgin and must not sleep with another man’s wife.
A bondservant is a person who is employed by a master for a specific purpose. This person has an agreement with his master to be his slave for a particular amount of time. In addition, the slave must have an ear pierced to show his loyalty to the master.
Philemon
In Philemon, Paul acknowledges that he owes his bondservant Onesimus much, and wants to keep him with him. Paul has apostolic authority, but he does not use it to keep Onesimus with him. Instead, he calls Onesimus his brother. That demonstrates the distinct Christian ethic of servanthood.
The book of Philemon was written by the Apostle Paul in prison about 60 A.D. Philemon, like Onesimus, had been a bondservant before he became a Christian. He may have escaped from his master and sought out the Apostle Paul.
Paul
The word “bondservant” has a variety of meanings. In the Greek language, it means “a slave sold in slavery.” This word also has a broader meaning and includes the term “debt slave.” However, the word Paul used for himself has no such connotation, and his meaning is not the same as the modern meaning of the word.
The word “bondservant” can refer to someone who belongs to someone else, such as a master or a king. The word was used in a variety of places in the New Testament. Paul began most of his letters by referring to himself as a servant of Christ. Other New Testament writers also used this term to describe their relationship with God.
Paul’s bondservant
The Bible does not condone slavery, but it does give important information about Paul’s bondservant. Paul refers to his bondservant as a fellow Christian. Paul’s letter to Philemon discusses Paul’s relationship with his bondservant, Onesimus. After Onesimus’ conversion to Christianity, Paul wrote to him, telling him that Onesimus was more than just a bondservant. He considered Onesimus a beloved brother.
Although Paul was a free citizen of the Roman Empire, he made himself a bondservant. A bondservant is a slave who sells himself as an obedient property. The Greek word for slave is doulos, which means abject, but Paul used it as an honorific term for a slave. In his mind, he was an honorable servant, and his role in Christ’s ministry was to save souls.
Various English translations of the word for slave
The word for slave in the Bible varies widely in translation, but the word is generally translated from the Greek. In the King James Version, the word appears only twice. In the New King James Version, it appears 46 times. This shows the increasing use of the word over time. Today, the word is less commonly used, but still has historical resonance.
Slavery has a negative connotation in many cultures. In many countries, slavery is a big problem. Children are sold into prostitution and are treated like material objects. Slavery is also associated with evil and a violation of a person’s will.