In the Bible, a bondservant refers to a servant who willingly serves their master, often due to a debt or obligation, as seen in Exodus 21:5-6. This term highlights the themes of servitude, loyalty, and commitment, reflecting the relationship between believers and Christ, who is considered the ultimate example of servitude.
Scripture
2 When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing.
3 If he comes in single, he shall go out single; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him.
4 If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out alone.
5 But if the slave plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’
6 then his master shall bring him to God, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall be his slave forever.
Meaning of Bondservant in the Bible
The concept of a bondservant in the Bible deepens our understanding of Christian identity and discipleship. In Exodus 21:5-6, a bondservant is depicted as someone who, after serving their master for six years, chooses to remain with them out of love and loyalty, indicating a profound commitment that extends beyond mere obligation. This act of willingly submitting oneself to a master reflects the spiritual relationship between believers and Jesus Christ, who Himself embodies the ultimate bondservant. In Philippians 2:7, we see that Christ “took the form of a servant,” highlighting His humility and readiness to serve humanity even to the point of death. The bondservant metaphor thus serves as a poignant reminder that true freedom is found not in self-serving autonomy, but in willingly submitting to God’s authority and purpose.
Moreover, in the New Testament, Paul frequently uses the term “bondservant” to describe his own relationship with Christ (e.g., Romans 1:1, Galatians 1:10), suggesting that the call to discipleship involves a voluntary commitment to serve God and others. This idea of servanthood becomes a central theme in Jesus’ teachings, where He defines greatness as servitude (Mark 10:43-45). The broader meaning of bondservanthood points to a life marked by sacrificial love, humility, and the willingness to embody the values of the Kingdom of God, thereby transforming our understanding of power and success in a way that mirrors the life of Christ. In doing so, Christians are called to reflect this bondservant nature in their own lives, demonstrating that their true vocation is rooted in service to others as an expression of their faith.
The theme of bondservanthood is woven throughout the Scriptures, illustrating a model of selflessness and fidelity that resonates deeply within the Christian experience. In the Old Testament, figures such as Moses and David exemplify the bondservant ideal, embracing their roles as humble leaders chosen by God to serve His people. Their narratives reveal that true leadership originates from a posture of servitude, highlighting that those who bear authority must do so with a heart inclined to serve. This understanding is further echoed in the writings of the Prophets, where God’s call to Israel often encapsulates themes of obedience and dedication, emphasizing the importance of being in right relationship with the Divine and with one another.
In the New Testament, the bondservant concept is also illuminated through the parables of Jesus, where He often portrays followers as workers in the vineyard or stewards of the Master’s resources. These stories underscore the expectation of faithfulness and responsibility among believers as they navigate their roles within God’s Kingdom. The bondservant’s life is characterized by a transformative love that compels action and service towards others, reminiscent of Christ’s own mission. This calling invites Christians to engage with the world not as self-serving agents, but as vessels of grace, reflecting the self-emptying love demonstrated by Jesus. As such, the bondservant serves not only as a theological concept but as a practical embodiment of living out one’s faith in community, emphasizing the interdependence of service and discipleship in the journey of following Christ.
The Concept of Servitude and Humility
In biblical terms, the bondservant represents a profound understanding of servitude and humility. This role emphasizes the importance of serving others selflessly, reflecting a commitment to a higher purpose. The bondservant willingly submits to the authority of their master, which can be seen as a metaphor for the believer’s relationship with God. This dynamic illustrates the call to humility and the recognition that true greatness in the kingdom of God is found in serving others rather than seeking power or status.
The Relationship Between Master and Servant
The bondservant also highlights the intricate relationship between the master and the servant. In biblical contexts, this relationship is often characterized by loyalty, trust, and mutual respect. The bondservant’s commitment to their master signifies a deeper spiritual truth about the believer’s commitment to God. This relationship is not merely transactional; it embodies a covenantal aspect where the bondservant is dedicated to fulfilling the will of their master, which in a spiritual sense, reflects the believer’s dedication to living according to God’s commandments and purposes.
Freedom Through Service
Interestingly, the concept of a bondservant also conveys the paradox of freedom through service. While a bondservant is bound to their master, this bond is often chosen voluntarily, symbolizing a deeper understanding of freedom. In the biblical narrative, true freedom is found not in autonomy but in the willingness to serve God and others. This idea challenges conventional notions of freedom, suggesting that surrendering oneself to a higher calling can lead to a more profound sense of purpose and fulfillment. The bondservant’s life exemplifies how serving others can lead to spiritual liberation and a deeper connection with the divine.
How to Cultivate Servitude and Humility in Faith
Cultivating servitude and humility in your faith journey is a beautiful way to reflect Christ’s love in your daily life. Start by embracing the mindset of a servant, just as Jesus did when He washed His disciples’ feet (John 13:14-15). Look for opportunities to serve others, whether it’s volunteering in your community, helping a neighbor, or simply offering a listening ear to someone in need. Remember, humility isn’t about thinking less of yourself, but rather thinking of yourself less; it’s about recognizing that we are all equal in God’s eyes and that our worth comes from Him alone. Pray for a heart that seeks to uplift others and for the strength to put their needs before your own. As you practice these acts of service, you’ll find that humility becomes a natural part of your character, drawing you closer to God and to those around you.
Bible References to Bondservants in Scripture:
Leviticus 25:39-46: 39 “If your brother becomes poor beside you and sells himself to you, you shall not make him serve as a slave.
40 They shall be with you as hired workers and sojourners. They shall serve you until the year of the jubilee.
41 then he shall go out from you, he and his children with him, and go back to his own clan and return to the possession of his fathers.
42 For they are my servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as slaves.
43 You shall not rule over him ruthlessly but shall fear your God.
44 As for your male and female slaves whom you may have: you may buy male and female slaves from among the nations that are around you.
45 You may also buy from among the strangers who sojourn with you and their clans that are with you, who have been born in your land, and they may be your property.
46 You may bequeath them to your sons after you to inherit as a possession forever. You may make slaves of them, but over your brothers the people of Israel you shall not rule, one over another ruthlessly.
Deuteronomy 15:12-18: 12 If your brother, a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you, he shall serve you six years, and in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you.
13 And when you let him go free from you, you shall not let him go empty-handed.
14 You shall furnish him liberally out of your flock, out of your threshing floor, and out of your winepress. As the Lord your God has blessed you, you shall give to him.
15 You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this today.
16 But if he says to you, ‘I will not go out from you,’ because he loves you and your household, since he is well-off with you,
17 then you shall take an awl, and put it through his ear into the door, and he shall be your slave forever. And to your female slave you shall do the same.
18 It shall not seem hard to you when you let him go free from you, for at half the cost of a hired worker he has served you six years. So the Lord your God will bless you in all that you do.
1 Corinthians 7:20-24: 20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called.
21 Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.)
22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ.
23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.
24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.
Ephesians 6:5-9: 5 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ,
6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man,
8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.
Philippians 2:5-8: 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Colossians 3:22-25: 22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
1 Timothy 6:1-2: 1 Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled.
2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.
Titus 2:9-10: 9 Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,
10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.
1 Peter 2:18-25: 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.
19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.