Seldom seest thou a man make haste to be rich, and thrive in religion. Christ’s message to John holds true; the poor are most forward in receiving and following the Gospel. As thou lovest thy zeal, beware of resolving to be rich, lest gain prove thy godliness; take heed of ambitious aspiring, lest courts and great places prove ill airs for zeal, whither it is as easy to go zealous as to return wise. Peter, while he warmed his hands, cooled his heart.
Richard Baker

ServantSlave

ServantSlave

NOTES TO INTRODUCE THE WORD STUDY FOR “SERVANT/SLAVE”

“…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 a ransom for many.” (NIV, Matthew 20:26-28) [Note: beside this passage and the parallel in Mark 10, I have only found one other verse where the doulos and diakonos roots are found together: Colossians 1:7. They seem to be complementary ideas which can stand alone to illustrate certain teachings.]

Goal: to get an understanding of how the words “servant” and “slave” are used with respect to Christians, and to look specifically at the implications for “body life.”

I. Word meanings

  1. In what different ways does the NIV translate doulos (slave) and diakonos (servant)?

doulos group diakonos group

“primary” contextual “primary” contextual serve servant servant attended slave slaving serve wait on slavery enslaved support attendant bondage serve as a slave service help have become slaves deacon care for slavery preparations addicted do work ministry distribution mission helper task, work administer promote By looking through the concordance (included below) for “Servant/Slave,”

note how often the doulos group words are translated “servant.” Why is this?

See the notes which accompany the word-study concordance for further discussion.

B. Consider the expressions “slave of God” and “slave of Christ.” Note that the expression “slave of God” was used and understood before the birth of Christ.

Luke 1:38 Mary calls herself “the Lord’s [slave]” Luke 1:48 she again refers to herself as God’s [slave] Luke 2:29 Simeon refers to himself as the Lord’s [slave]

See the other references marked with a = in the word-study concordance.

C. But are we really slaves? A slave has no rights or status. What

about the following?

John 8:35 a son belongs to the family forever John 15:15 I no longer call you servants … but friends Romans 8:15 you received a Spirit of sonship [adoption] Galatians 4:7 you are no longer a slave, but a son Philemon 16 better than a slave, a dear brother

We must understand that whereas we are slaves of God, we do not (necessarily) have the social position of a slave. If we do not keep this clear, we will not correctly understand the question, “Does God want me to be a slave?”

Why do we have difficulty accepting the scriptural lesson that we should in some sense conceive of ourselves as slaves?

  1. A slave has no choice about what he is supposed to do (we think we always do, but there is at least one choice we cannot make except Jesus Christ help us; cf. John 8:36)
  2. We forget that our slavery is to God (not a human master). Consequently, our slavery is not exactly like the social institution; we are simultaneously adopted sons and friends of Jesus. Note the important role reversal in Luke 12:37 and compare Luke 22:27 (but don’t forget Luke 17:7-10). The tension for us may be expressed as “hope without expectation.”
  3. By nature, all men are slaves to something or someone. For example:

Matthew 6:24 Money (cf. Luke 16:13) John 8:33-36 Sin
Romans 6 (esp. vv. 7, 16) Sin or Righteousness (cf. 2 Peter 2:19)

note also Romans 7 (esp. vv. 14, 25) and 8 (esp. vv. 2, 6-8) Galatians 4:1-8 “basic principles of the world” 2 Peter 2:17-21 depravity

Conclusion: Whatever controls you is your master: will you be a slave to

sin or a slave to righteousness?

II. Implications for the Christian

  1. Christ’s example

Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45 “I came to serve” Luke 22:26-27 “I am among you as one who serves” + John 13:14-15 “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet [a slave’s job], you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Romans 14:1-15:9 “even Christ did not please himself” (15:3); “Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth …so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy (15:8,9) ++ Philippians 2:1-11 “but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant [slave]” (v. 7)

B. The believer’s obligations and responsibilities

  1. to be ready at any time (Matthew 24:36-51, esp. v. 46; cf. Luke 12:35-48)
  2. to serve (Matthew 20:26-27; cf. Mark 10:43-44)
  3. to be concerned for another’s salvation (1 Corinthians 9:19)
  4. don’t detract from God’s name (1 Timothy 6:2)
  5. serve anyone as “unto the Lord” (Colossians 3:22-25; cf. Matthew 25:44)
  6. to respond in obedience (Luke 7:8)
  7. to remember one’s position (Luke 17:10; John 13:16)
  8. do even more for fellow believers (1 Timothy 6:2)
  9. don’t “lord it over” your peers (Matthew 20:25)
  10. to serve one another in love, i.e., serve as a slave, or perhaps better: “be subject one to another in love” (Galatians 5:13; cf. Ephesians 5:21)
    1. we must remember that we are all part of one body; we should be developing a sense of community with the goal of growth (Romans 15:2)
    2. and if we don’t, we’ll destroy ourselves (Galatians 5:15)
    3. How to serve (preliminary list; not an attempt to be exhaustive)
  11. Acts 11:29 give money (cf. 2 Corinthians 8:4-9:13)
  12. Acts 19:22 missions (both send, and be sent)
  13. 1 Corinthians 16:15 help (cf. Ephesians 4:1-16, esp. v. 12)
  14. 2 Corinthians 6:3 don’t allow your service to be discredited by being a stumbling block (cf. Romans 14)
  15. 1 Peter 4:10, 11 use whatever your spiritual gift is to serve others (cf. 1 Corinthians 12, 13, esp. 12:5)
  16. Philippians 2:3-4 be constantly aware of others needs
  17. Matthew 25:35-36 physically and spiritually meet those needs (examples: the woman at the well; the 10 lepers)

III. Conclusions for body life

  1. Community/edification (Galatians 5:13)
  2. Serve one another (Ephesians 5:21)
  3. doulos stresses almost exclusively the Christian’s complete subjection to the Lord (vertical relationship) which entails service to others
  4. diakonos is concerned with his service for the church, his brothers and fellow-men, for the fellowship, whether this is done by serving at table, with the word, or in some other way (horizontal relationship).

Do yourself the favor of actually reading through this special concordance. The words of Scripture are more powerful/effective than any other comments. Notice how often doulos and diakonos occur in the same passage/context. The goal of this exercise is to help you discover the semantic range of these terms and hence develop understanding and thereby application for your own life.

The following key is to additional notes in the concordance.

! – everyone is a slave to something/someone ~ – the special nature of a slave for Christ = – examples of the use of “slave for God” and “slave for Christ” + – the example set by Christ
# – the obligations and responsibilities of a slave for Christ @ – how to serve
* – aid to definition or of special interest

The English word used to translate from either group is set off by >< or ][ according to the following system:
]slave[ – “usual” translation of Greek word (primary definition and meaning) >servant< – cross-cultural translation of Greek word (primary meaning)

SERVANT/SLAVE: A WORD STUDY USING THE NIV TEXT.

[This following section is condensed from the articles pertaining to doulos and diakonos in Colin Brown’s New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology (Zondervan). The concordance accompanying this study was constructed by using the Englishman’s Greek Concordance of the New Testament (Zondervan) to get a list of verses in which the doulous group and the diakonos group occur. Then the NIV text was entered for each phrase where one of these words was used. Finally some special helps were added to aid in appreciating the impact of each verse on the understanding of servant/slave.]

“Slave.” Article by G. T. D. Angel covers the following words: doulos: slave. doule: slave (female). douleuo, douloo: be subject, serve. douleia: slavery, bondage.

In order to appreciate the nuances of the meaning of doulos in the NT we must first see what its attitude is to the position of the slave in society. This can be found out principally from the parables of Jesus.

  1. occasionally, responsiblity: Matt. 24:45
  2. absolute obedience to master: Matt. 8:9
  3. no one can be a slave to two masters: Matt. 6:24
  4. entitled to no profit or thanks: Luke 17:7-10
  5. the master could use his unlimited power over the slave
    1. for good: Matt. 18:27
    2. for unmerciful punishment (if guilty): Matt 18:34; 25:30

The NT resists the contemporary verdict on slaves as a contemptible lower class by the use of doulos in the parables of Jesus to describe the relation of all men to God. The sociological problems of the division of society into slave and master are mitigated by the fact that God’s revelation in Jesus Christ shows that all men are in the relentless grip of a completely different sort of slavery: a slave of sin (Rom. 6:17). It can consist of

  1. a miserably meticulous observance of the “letter” in the hope of salvation: Rom. 7:6,25
  2. a slavish adoration of the mediating cosmic powers: Gal. 4:3, 8f
  3. a frenzied horror of death: Heb. 2:15
  4. the service of the belly: Rom. 16:18
  5. the service of one’s lusts: Titus 3:3

One cannot free oneself from this servitude of sin by one’s own efforts nor change masters by one’s own decision. Only he whom the Son sets free is really free (John 8:36). Christ’s redemption frees one for obedient service under the command of the Kyrios (Lord) (Rom. 12:11; 14:18; Col. 3:24) and leads one into the service of righteousness in the new Spirit-given nature (Rom. 6:18; 7:6). Paul sees himself, called to his office as an apostle, as in a special way a doulos Christou jesou “servant of Christ Jesus” (Rom. 1:1; Phil. 1:1; Gal. 1:10). This title is also used to refer to the office of one of his colleagues like Epaphras (Col. 4:12). Used as a title, doulos is closest in sense to diakonos, servant, which is frequently used in Paul’s writings of the apostolic service of witness (Col. 4:7, diakonos kai syndoulos, “Servant and fellow slave”). Here, as elsewhere, the distinctive thing about the concept of the doulos is the subordinate, obligatory and responsible nature of his service in his exclusive relation to his Lord. At the same time, all who are called to freedom are set to serve one another in love (Gal. 5:13). Paul made himself a slave of all (1 Cor. 9:19); in the service of the gospel (Phil. 2:22) he is the servant of the community for Christ’s sake (2 Cor. 4:5). He who would be first in Christ’s community must be its slave (Matt. 20:27).

Consider the dignity given to slavery by the bestowal upon the Kyrios of the title of doulos. Christ divested himself and took on the form of a servant (Phil. 2:7, morphen doulou labon). Above all, the statement of Phil. 2:7 shows the theological significance of this group of words. When Christ takes on the form of a slave, he enters into full solidarity with mankind in its subjection to sin, law and death. As servant, he is subject to the nomos (law; Gal. 4:4) and bears its curse (Gal. 3:13). It is the form of the servant that exactly describes Jesus Christ’s incarnation as the deepest selfabasement. Thus the Lord’s form as a servant unmasks the nature of unredeemed man as douleia. This slavery is that of sin, i.e. man’s obsession with the illusion that he can make or maintain his own life and freedom with reference only to himself and in his own power.

Jesus Christ alone redeems man from the slavery of sin with the price of his death. The metaphor of sacred emancipation from slavery is here united with the idea of a change of masters. Believers “having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness” (Rom. 6:18; cf. v. 22). This emancipation from the bondage of a supposed independence into freedom does not lead to a new independence. Rather, the one released from slavery to sin is set free for the “obedience of faith” which he presents to his Lord, Jesus Christ, as his servant (Rom. 12:11; 14:18; Col. 3:24; cf. 1 Thess. 1:9; Rom. 7:6). Yet this new relationship of master and servant is dominated, not by “the spirit of slavery [pneuma douleias] to fall back into fear”; believers “have received the spirit of sonship [pneuma hyiothesias]” (Rom. 8:15). However, the freedom of God’s sons is not to become “an opportunity for the flesh.” Hence, the redeemed are called upon to “serve one another in love” (Gal. 5:13). This sort of service of love to one’s neighbors is rooted in Christ’s love in taking the form of a servant (cf. the exhortations of Phil. 2:1-4, which are causally related to Phil. 2:5 ff.). As a doulos, Jesus showed his love to his disciples by washing their feet (the duty of a slave), “that you also should do what I have done to you” (John 13:15). The nature of Christ’s loving work thus prevents anything like the orthodox, pharisaic separation of God’s service from the service of one’s neighbor. The freedom that is found in the obedience of faith expresses itself in loving service of one’s neighbor.

Hence, he who would be first in Jesus Christ’s community must be its slave (Matt. 20:27). It is not left to the choice of individual members of the community to decide whether or not to subject themselves and join this community. It is precisely the concept of douleuo, in contrast to that of diakoneo, that emphasizes the obligatory character of the service for God and to one’s neighbor that is the duty of the community of those who have been set free by Jesus Christ.

dl1=doulos: slave (124 uses, including: 30 Paul, 30 Matthew, 26 Luke) dl2=douleuo, douloo: be subject, serve (33 uses) dl3=douleia: slavery, bondage (5 uses) dl4=doule: slave (female; 3 uses)

dl2 !Matt 6:24 “No one can ]serve[ two masters…” dl2 —- You cannot ]serve[ both God and Money. dl1 8:9 “I say to my >servant<, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” dl1 10:24 A student is not above his teacher, nor a >servant< above his master dl1 25 It is enough for a student to be like his teacher, and the >servant< like his master. dl1 13:27 The owner’s >servants< came to him and said…’Where then did the weeds come from?’ dl1 28 ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. The >servants< asked him… dl1 18:23 the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his >servants< dl1 26 The >servant< fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged dl1 27 The >servant’s< master took pity on him, canceled the debt, and let him go. dl1 28 But when that >servant< went out, he found one of his fellow >servants< dl1 32 Then the master called the >servant< in. ‘You wicked servant’ dl1 # 20:27 and whoever wants to be first must be your ]slave[ dl1 21:34 When the harvest time approached, he sent his >servants< to the tenants dl1 35 The tenants seized his >servants< dl1 36 Then he sent other >servants< to them dl1 22:3 He sent his >servants< to those who had been invited to the banquet dl1 4 Then he sent some more >servants< dl1 6 The rest seized his >servants<, mistreated them and killed them dl1 8 Then he said to his >servants<…’those I invited did not come’ dl1 10 So the >servants< went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find dl1 24:45 Who then is the faithful and wise >servant<, whom the master has put in charge of the >servants< in his household…? dl1 # 46 It will be good for that >servant< whose master finds him doing so when he returns. dl1 48 But suppose the >servant< is wicked and says… dl1 50 The master of that >servant< will come on a day when he does not expect him… dl1 25:14 like a man going on a journey, who called his >servants> and entrusted his property to them dl1 19 the master of those >servants< returned dl1 21 ‘Well done, good and faithful >servant<! …’ dl1 23 ‘Well done, good and faithful >servant<! …’ dl1 26 ‘You wicked, lazy >servant<!’ dl1 30 throw that worthless >servant< outside, into the darkness dl1 26:51 one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the >servant< of the high priest dl1 #Mark 10:44 whoever wants to be first must be ]slave[ of all dl1 12:2 At harvest time he sent a >servant< to the tenants dl1 12:4 Then he sent another >servant< dl1 # 13:34 It’s like a man going away: he leaves his house in charge of his >servants< dl1 14:47 one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the >servant< of the high priest dl4 =Luke 1:38 “I am the Lord’s >servant<,” Mary answered. dl4 = 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his >servant< [in Mary’s Song] dl1 = 2:29 “Sovereign Lord, . . . now dismiss your >servant< in peace” (Simeon) dl1 7:2 There a centurion’s >servant<, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. dl1 3 asking him to come and heal his >servant< dl1 8 “I say to my >servant<, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” dl1 10 returned to the house and found the >servant< well dl1 12:37 It will be good for those >servants< whose master finds them watching when he comes. dl1 38 It will be good for those >servants< whose master finds them ready dl1 43 It will be good for that >servant< whom the master finds doing so when he returns dl1 45 suppose the >servant< says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming’ dl1 46 The master of that >servant< will come on a day when he does not expect him dl1 # 47 That >servant< who knows his master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants dl1 14:17 he sent his >servant< to tell those who had been invited dl1 21 The >servant< came back and reported this to his master. dl1 — ordered his >servant<, ‘Go out quickly into the streets’ dl1 22 ‘Sir,’ the >servant< said, ‘what you ordered has been done…’ dl1 23 the master told his >servant<, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes…’ dl1 15:22 the father said to his >servants<, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe…’ dl2 15:29 All these years I’ve been >slaving< for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat… dl2 ! 16:13 No servant can ]serve[ two masters… dl2 —– You cannot ]serve[ both God and Money. dl1 17:7 Suppose one of you had a >servant< plowing…when he comes in from the field [would you say] ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? dl1 9 Would he thank his >servant< because he did what he was told to do? dl1 10 So you…should say, ‘We are unworthy >servants<; we have only done our duty.’ dl1 19:13 So he called ten of his >servants< and gave them ten minas dl1 15 he sent for the >servants< to whom he had given the money dl1 17 ‘Well done, my good >servant<!’ dl1 22 ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked >servant<!’ dl1 20:10 he sent a >servant< to the tenants dl1 11 he sent another >servant<, but that one also they beat dl1 22:50 one of them struck the >servant< of the high priest dl1 John 4:51 while he was still on the way, his >servants< met him with the news that his boy was living dl2 ! 8:33 We are Abraham’s descendants and >have< never >been slaves< of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free? dl1 ! 34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a ]slave[ to sin. dl1 ~ 35 Now a ]slave[ has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever…” dl1 * 13:16 I tell you the truth, no >servant< is greater than his master dl1 ~ 15:15 I no longer call you >servants<, because a >servant< does not know his master’s business. dl1 20 Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No >servant< is greater than his master.’ dl1 18:10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s >servant< dl1 —– (The >servant’s< name was Malchus.) dl1 18 the >servants< and officials stood around the fire they had made to keep warm dl1 26 One of the high priest’s >servants<…challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him…?” dl1 Acts 2:18 Even on my >servants<, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days…” dl4 —- Even on my >servants<, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days dl1 4:29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your >servants< to speak your word with great boldness dl2 7:6 they will be >enslaved< and mistreated four hundred years dl2 7 But I will punish the nation they >serve as slaves< dl1 16:17 “These men are >servants< of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” dl2 20:19 I ]served[ the Lord with great humility and with tears

dl1 =Rom 1:1 Paul, a >servant< of Christ Jesus dl2 !Rom 6:6 we know that our old self was crucified with him…that we should no longer >be slaves< to sin dl1 ! 16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourself to someone to obey him as ]slaves[, you are ]slaves[ to the one whom you obey–whether you are ]slaves[ to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? dl1 17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be ]slaves[ to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. dl2 ! 18 You have been set free from sin and >have become slaves< to righteousness. dl1 ! 19 Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in ]slavery[ to impurity and to every increasing wickedness dl1 ! — so now offer them in ]slavery[ to righteousness leading to holiness dl1 ! 20 When you were ]slaves[ to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. dl2 ! 22 now that you have been set free from sin and >have become slaves< to God dl2 7:6 by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we ]serve[ in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code dl2 25 I myself in my mind am a >slave< to God’s law, but in the sinful nature a >slave< to the law of sin dl3 ~ 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a >slave< again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship [adoption]. dl3 21 the creation itself will be liberated from its ]bondage[ to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God dl2 9:12 she [Rebecca] was told, “The older will ]serve[ the younger.” dl2 * 12:11 keep your spiritual fervor, ]serving[ the Lord dl2 * 14:18 anyone who ]serves[ Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men dl2 1Cor 7:15 A believing man or woman is not ]bound[ in such circumstances dl1 21 Were you a ]slave[ when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you. dl1 22 For he who was a ]slave[ when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman; dl1 = — similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s ]slave[. dl1 23 You were bought at a price; do not become ]slaves[ of men. dl2 # 9:19 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a >slave< to everyone, to win as many as possible dl1 12:13 we were all baptized by one Spirit into one bodyQwhether Jews or Greeks, ]slave[ or free dl1 2Cor 4:5 we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your >servants< for Jesus’ sake dl1 =Gal 1:10 If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a >servant< of Christ. dl1 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, ]slave[ nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. dl1 4:1 as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a ]slave[ dl2 ! 3 when we were children we were in >slavery< under the basic principles of the world. dl1 ~ 7 So you are no longer a ]slave[, but a son dl2 ! 8 when you did not know God, you were >slaves< to those who by nature are not gods. dl2 9 how is it that you are turning back to those miserable principles? Do you wish to be >enslaved< by them all over again? dl3 24 One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be >slaves<. dl2 25 Hagar stands for Mount Sinai…because she is in >slavery< with her children dl3 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of ]slavery[. dl2 # 13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, ]serve[ one another in love. dl1 Eph 6:5 ]Slaves[, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear dl1 6 like ]slaves[ of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart dl2 7 ]Serve[ wholeheartedly, as if you were ]serving[ the Lord, not men dl1 8 the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is ]slave[ or free dl1 =Phil 1:1 Paul and Timothy, >servants< of Christ Jesus dl1 + 2:7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a >servant<, being made in human likeness dl2 22 he has ]served[ with me in the work of the gospel dl1 Col 3:11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, ]slave[ or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. dl1 22 ]Slaves[, obey your earthly masters in everything…with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord dl2 24 It is the Lord Christ you are ]serving[. dl1 4:1 Masters, provide your ]slaves[ with what is right and fair

dl1 Col 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a >servant< of Christ Jesus dl2 1Th 1:9 They tell how you turned to God from idols to ]serve[ the

living and true God
dl1 1Tim 6:1 All who are under the yoke of ]slavery[ should consider their masters worthy of full respect dl2 # 2 Those who have believing masters…are to ]serve[ them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, dear to them. dl1 2Tim 2:24 the Lord’s >servant< must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful dl1 =Titus 1:1 Paul, a >servant< of God dl2 2:3 not to be slanderers or >addicted< to much wine dl1 9 Teach ]slaves[ to be subject to their masters in everything dl2 3:3 At one time we too were foolsih, disobedient, deceived and >enslaved< by all kinds of passions and pleasures. dl1 ~Philem 16 no longer as a ]slave[, but better than a ]slave[, as a dear brother dl3 Heb 2:15 free those who all their lives were held in ]slavery[ by their fear of death

dl1 =James 1:1 James, a >servant< of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ dl1 =1Pet 2:16 live as >servants< of God dl1 =2Pet 1:1 Simon Peter, a >servant< and apostle of Jesus Christ dl1 2:19 they themselves are ]slaves[ of depravityQfor dl2 ! —- a man is a >slave< to whatever has mastered him.

dl1 =Jude 1 Jude, a >servant< of Jesus Christ dl1 Rev 1:1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his >servants< what must soon take place dl1 = — He made it known by sending his angel to his >servant< John dl1 2:20 By her teaching she misleads my >servants< into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed dl1 6:15 the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every ]slave[ and every free man hid in caves dl1 = 7:3 “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the >servants< of our God.” dl1 = 10:7 just as he announced to his >servants< the prophets dl1 = 11:18 The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your >servants< the prophets dl1 13:16 He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and ]slave[, to receive a mark dl1 = 15:3 sang the song of Moses the >servant< of God dl1 19:2 He has avenged on her the blood of his >servants<. dl1 = 5 “Praise our God, all you his >servants<, you who fear him, both small and great!” dl1 18 the flesh of all people, free and ]slave[, small and great dl1 = 22:3 The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his >servants< will >serve< him. dl1 = 6 The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his >servants< the things that must soon take place

“Serve.” Article by K. Hess covers these words: diakonos: servant, deacon. diakoneo: serve, support, serve as a deacon. diakonia: service, office, aid, support, distribution (of alms, etc.), office of a deacon.

The primary meaning of diakonos is “the one who serves at table” (Matt 22:13, where there is an eschatological note; John 2:5, 9). It means a servant in a wider sense in Matt. 20:26 and Mark 10:43 (cf. Matt. 23:11), and a helper in Eph. 6:21; Col. 4:7. Especially in Paul, the word receives a specifically Christian sense, for example:

  1. a servant of the new covenant (2 Cor. 3:6)
  2. a servant of righteousness (2 Cor. 11:15)
  3. a servant of Christ (2 Cor. 11:23; Col. 1:7; 1 Tim. 4:6)
  4. a servant of God (2 Cor. 6:4)
  5. a servant of the gospel (Eph. 3:7; Col. 1:23; cf. 1 Cor. 3:5)
  6. a servant of thte church (Col. 1:25)
  7. Christ is called a diakonos (of Israel) (Rom. 15:8)

In Phil. 1:1 and 1 Tim. 3:8-13 diakonos is used of a man holding the office of deacon in the church; the same title is applied to a woman, Phoebe, in Rom. 16:1; this office may be intended by 1 Tim. 3:11.

The NT meaning of diakoneo is derived from the person of Jesus and his gospel (Matt. 20:28 and Mark 10:45). It becomes a term denoting loving action for brother and neighbor, which in turn is derived from divine love, and also describes the outworking of koinonia (fellowship). When Jesus served his disciples and men in general, it was a demonstration of the love of God, and of humanity as God willed it. Jesus washed his disciples’ feet as an example (John 13:15) to challenge the disciples; the leader among them was to be as one who serves (Luke 22:26; cf. Matt. 20:26, Mark 10:43; Matt. 23:11). Everyone should serve with the gift God has given him (1 Pet. 4:10). Anyone giving food to the hungry, shelter to the homeless, clothing the naked, or visiting the sick and imporisoned (Matt. 25:35 f.) is serving Christ himself. This summons to service becomes binding because behind it stands the sacrifice of Jesus, who came “not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). 1 John 3:16 draws from this sacrifice the conclusion that “we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

The fellowship of the common meal, which involved serving at table (Acts 6:1), remains basic for the understanding of diakonia in the NT. We have to think of “the breaking of bread” in private homes, of the love-feasts in which the rich cared also for the poor, and the house-churches like that in the house of Stephanas which had devoted itself to diakonia (1 Cor. 16:15). Consider the following aspects of this service:

  1. strength and possessions were used for others
  2. the principal and maintaining element of fellowship (2 Cor. 9:13; cf. Acts 5:4; 2 Cor. 9:7)
  3. extended from the local church to churches elsewhere that needed help (Acts 11:29; 2 Cor. 8:3 f.; 9:1-5)
  4. the spiritual and physical diakonia of giving and receiving takes place in acknowledgement of the sacrifice of Christ (2 Cor. 8:9; 9:12-15).
  5. comprehends body and life (2 Cor. 8:5) as well as money and possessions
  6. becomes a means of edification of the whole body of Christ (Eph. 4:12)
    1. that is why Paul calls the charismatic gifts “services” (diakoniai; 1 Cor. 12:5), parts of an organic whole
    2. diakonia can also be used for each particular spiritual gift (Rom. 12:7), just as the deacon is one among all the others who serve
    3. even more, the whole church becomes a body for service in the world (Eph. 4:1-16); it is composed of members, the “servants,” and functions in preparation for the Lord’s return.

Important for our understanding of diakonos is the difference between it and doulos. doulos stresses almost exclusively the Christian’s complete subjection to the Lord; diakonos is concerned with his service for the church, his brothers and fellow-men, for the fellowship, whether this is done by serving at table, with the word, or in some other way. The diakonos is always one who serves on Christ’s behalf and continues Christ’s service for the outer and inner man; he is concerned with the salvation of men. Concern with God’s salvation includes body and spirit. Hence, Paul was as concerned with the collection (2 Cor. 8:4; 9:1, 12 f.) as with the gospel. Proclamation and help through actions complement one another.

dk1=diakonos: servant, deacon (29 uses) dk2=diakoneo: serve, support, serve as a deacon (34 uses) dk3=diakonia: service, office, aid, support, distribution (of alms, etc.),

office of a deacon (34 uses)

dk2 Matt 4:11 and the angels came and >attended< him dk2 8:15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to >wait on him< dk1 # 20:26 whoever wants to become great among you must be your ]servant[ dk2 + 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be ]served[, but to ]serve[, and to give his life as a ransom dk1 22:13 Then the king told the >attendants< dk1 # 23:11 The greatest among you will be your ]servant[. dk2 # 25:44 ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison and did not >help< you?’ [begin at v. 35] dk2 27:55 They had followed Jesus from Galilee to >care for< his needs. dk2 Mark 1:13 He [Jesus] was with the wild animals, and angels >attended< him. dk2 31 The fever left her and she began to >wait on< them. dk1 #Mark 9:35 “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the ]servant[ of all.” dk1 # 10:43 whoever wants to become great among you must be your ]servant[ dk2 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be ]served[, but to ]serve[, and to give his life as a ransom dk2 15:41 In Galilee these women had followed him and >cared for< his needs. dk2 Luke 4:39 She got up at once and began to >wait on< them. dk2 8:3 These women were helping to ]support[ them out of their own means. dk3 10:40 But Martha was distracted by all the >preparations<. dk2 —– don’t you care that my sister has left me to >do the work< by myself? dk2 12:37 I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table, and will come and >wait on< them. dk2 17:8 Would he not rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink’? dk2 +# 22:26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who ]serves[. dk2 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who ]serves[? Is it not the one who is dk2 + — at the table? But I am among you as one who ]serves[. dk1 John 2:5 His mother said to the ]servants[, “Do whatever he tells you.” dk1 9 the ]servants[ who drew the water knew dk2 12:2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha ]served[… dk2 26 Whoever ]serves[ me must follow me; dk1 — and where I am, my ]servant[ will also be dk2 — My Father will honor the one who ]serves[ me. dk3 Acts 1:17 he was one of our number and shared in this >ministry< dk3 25 to take over this apostolic >ministry< dk3 6:1 because their widows were being overlooked in the daily >distribution< of food dk2 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to >wait on< tables.” dk3 4 “…and will give our attention to prayer and the >ministry< of the word.” dk3 @ 11:29 The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide >help< for the brothers living in Judea. dk3 12:25 When Barnabas and Saul had finished their >mission< dk2 @ 19:22 He sent two of his >helpers<, Timothy and Erastus dk3 20:24 if only I may finish the race and complete the >task< the Lord Jesus has given me dk3 21:19 Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his >ministry<. dk3 Rom 11:13 I make much of my >ministry< dk3 12:7 If it is ]serving[, let him serve dk1 13:4 For he [the one in authority] is God’s ]servant[ dk1 —- He is God’s ]servant[, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer dk1 + 15:8 For I tell you that Christ has become a ]servant[ of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth dk2 25 I am on my way to Jerusalem in the ]service[ of the saints there. dk3 31 that my ]service[ in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there dk1 16:1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a ]servant[ of the church in Cenchrea. dk1 1Cor 3:5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only ]servants[, through whom you came to believe dk3 @ 12:5 There are different kinds of ]service[, but the same Lord. dk3 @ 16:15 they have devoted themselves to the ]service[ of the saints dk2 2Cor 3:3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our >ministry< dk1 6 He has made us competent as >ministers< of a new covenant– not of the letter but of the Spirit dk3 7 Now if the >ministry< that brought death… dk3 8 will not the >ministry< of the Spirit be even more glorious? dk3 9 If the >ministry< that condemns men is glorious… dk3 — how much more glorious is the >ministry< that brings righteousness! dk3 4:1 since through God’s mercy we have this >ministry<, we do not lose heart dk3 5:18 gave us the >ministry< of reconciliation dk3 @ 6:3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our >ministry< will not be discredited. dk1 4 as ]servants[ of God we commend ourselves in every way dk3 @2Cor 8:4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this ]service[ to the saints dk2 19 which we >administer< in order to honor the Lord himself dk2 20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we >administer< this liberal gift. dk3 9:1 There is no need for me to write to you about this ]service[ to the saints. dk3 @ 12 This ]service[ that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. dk3 * 13 Because of the ]service[ by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and everyone else. dk3 11:8 I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to ]serve[ you. dk1 15 his [Satan’s] ]servants[ masquerade as servants of righteousness dk1 23 Are they ]servants[ of Christ?

dk1 Gal 2:17 does that mean that Christ >promotes< sin? Absolutely not! dk1 Eph 3:7 I became a ]servant[ of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace dk3 * 4:12 to prepare God’s people for works of ]service[, so that the body of Christ may be built up… dk1 6:21 Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord

dk1 Phil 1:1 together with the overseers and deacons dk1 Col 1:7 You learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow ]servant[, who is a faithful minister (syndoulos) of Christ on our behalf dk1 23 This is the gospel…of which I, Paul, have become a ]servant[ dk1 25 I have become its ]servant[ by the commission God gave me dk1 4:7 He is a dear brother, a faithful >minister< dk3 17 Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the >work< you have received in the Lord.” dk1 1Th 3:2 Timothy, who is our brother and God’s >fellow worker< [some manuscripts “God’s ]servant[“] dk3 1Tim 1:12 appointing me to his ]service[ dk1 3:8 ]Deacons[, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect… dk2 10 let them ]serve[ as deacons dk1 12 A ]deacon[ must be the husband of but one wife… dk2 13 Those who have ]served[ well gain an excellent standing… dk1 4:6 If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good >minister< of Christ Jesus dk2 2Tim 1:18 You know very well in how many ways he >helped< me in Ephesus. dk3 4:5 discharge all the duties of your >ministry< dk3 11 Get Mark and bring him with you, because he his helpful to me in my >ministry<.

dk2 Philem 13 so that he could take your place in >helping< me dk3 Heb 1:14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to ]serve[ those who will inherit salvation? dk2 # 6:10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you >have helped< his people and continue to help them. dk2 1Pet 1:12 It was revealed to them that they were not ]serving[ themselves but you… dk2 @ 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to ]serve[ others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. dk2 @ 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone ]serves[, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. dk3 Rev 2:19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your >service< and perseverance

Brent Thorwall
Crystal Lake Evangelical Free Church
Homebuilders Sunday School Class
October 20 and 27, 1985

Computers for Christ – Chicago