Topical Encyclopedia
The term "servile" is often associated with attitudes or behaviors befitting a servant or slave, characterized by excessive willingness to serve or please others. In the context of the Bible, servility can be examined through the lens of the relationships between masters and servants, as well as the spiritual implications of servitude.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, servitude was a common social structure. The Hebrew word often translated as "servant" or "slave" is "ebed," which can denote a range of servile conditions, from bondservants to those in voluntary service. The Mosaic Law provided specific regulations regarding the treatment of servants, emphasizing humane treatment and the potential for freedom. For instance,
Exodus 21:2 states, "If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years, but in the seventh year he shall go free, without paying anything."
The servile condition in the Old Testament is not merely a social status but also a metaphor for the Israelites' relationship with God. They are often described as servants of the Lord, highlighting a covenantal relationship based on obedience and service to God’s commands.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the Greek word "doulos" is frequently used, which can mean both "servant" and "slave." The teachings of Jesus and the apostles often use servitude as a metaphor for discipleship and the Christian life. Jesus Himself exemplified servile humility, as seen in
Philippians 2:7 : "but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness."
The apostle Paul frequently referred to himself as a "servant of Christ," indicating a voluntary and devoted submission to the will of God. In
Romans 6:22 , Paul writes, "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the fruit you reap leads to holiness, and the outcome is eternal life."
Spiritual ImplicationsThe concept of being servile in a spiritual sense is not viewed negatively in the Bible. Instead, it is seen as a path to true freedom and fulfillment. Jesus taught that greatness in the kingdom of God is achieved through servitude, as He stated in
Matthew 20:26-28 : "Instead, 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 as a ransom for many."
Cultural and Historical ConsiderationsUnderstanding the cultural and historical context of servitude in biblical times is crucial. While modern readers may view servility negatively, the biblical perspective often presents it as a noble and honorable position when aligned with God's purposes. The Bible's teachings on servitude challenge believers to adopt a posture of humility and service, reflecting the character of Christ in their lives.
ConclusionThe biblical concept of servility, when understood in its proper context, reveals a profound spiritual truth about the nature of discipleship and the call to serve others selflessly. Through the example of Christ and the teachings of Scripture, believers are encouraged to embrace a servile attitude as a reflection of their devotion to God and love for others.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Of or pertaining to a servant or slave; befitting a servant or a slave; proceeding from dependence; hence, meanly submissive; slavish; mean; cringing; fawning; as, servile flattery; servile fear; servile obedience.
2. (a.) Held in subjection; dependent; enslaved.
3. (a.) Not belonging to the original root; as, a servile letter.
4. (a.) Not itself sounded, but serving to lengthen the preceding vowel, as e in tune.
5. (n.) An element which forms no part of the original root; -- opposed to radical.
Greek
1400. doulos -- slavish,servile.... 1399, 1400. doulos. 1401 . slavish,
servile. Transliteration
... servant. Word Origin
adjective from doulos Definition slavish,
servile. servant.
...Strong's Hebrew
4399. melakah -- occupation, work... From the same as mal'ak; properly, deputyship, ie Ministry; generally, employment
(never
servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the
...917. Bedan -- an Israelite name
... name NASB Word Usage Bedan (2). Bedan. Probably shortened for Abdown;servile; Bedan,
the name of two Israelites -- Bedan. see HEBREW Abdown. 916, 917....
Library
WhetherServile Fear is Good?
... OF THE GIFT OF FEAR (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whetherservile fear is good? Objection
1: It would seem thatservile fear is not good. For...
WhetherServile Fear is Good
... Article Four WhetherServile Fear is Good. WhetherServile Fear is Good We proceed
to the fourth article thus: 1. It seems thatservile fear is not good....
WhetherServile Fear is Substantially the Same as Filial Fear?
... OF THE GIFT OF FEAR (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whetherservile fear is substantially
the same as filial fear? Objection 1: It would seem...
WhetherServile Fear Remains with Charity?
... OF THE GIFT OF FEAR (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whetherservile fear remains with charity?
Objection 1: It would seem thatservile fear does not remain with charity....
WhetherServile Fear is Substantially the Same as Filial Fear
... Article Five WhetherServile Fear is substantially the Same as Filial Fear.
WhetherServile Fear is substantially the Same as Filial Fear...
WhetherServile Fear Remains when Charity is Present
... Article Six WhetherServile Fear Remains when Charity is Present. WhetherServile
Fear Remains when Charity is Present We proceed to the sixth article thus:...
HowServile Fear Remains Together with Holy Love.
... AND PERFECTIONS OF THE SOUL. CHAPTER XVII. HOWSERVILE FEAR REMAINS TOGETHER
WITH HOLY LOVE. Although, however, the lady we spoke...
Whether Fear is Appropriately Divided into Filial, Initial...
... Article Two Whether Fear is appropriately Divided into Filial, Initial,
Servile, and Worldly Fear. Whether Fear is appropriately...
Whether Fear is Fittingly Divided into Filial, Initial,Servile...
... OF THE GIFT OF FEAR (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether fear is fittingly divided
into filial, initial,servile and worldly fear? Objection...
In Designating Others by the Epithets of "Uninstructed, and...
... Chapter XIV. In designating others by the epithets of "uninstructed, andservile?
In designating others by the epithets of "uninstructed...
Thesaurus
Servile (13 Occurrences)... or slave; befitting a servant or a slave; proceeding from dependence; hence, meanly
submissive; slavish; mean; cringing; fawning; as,
servile flattery;
servile...Laborious (12 Occurrences)
... work. (See NAS RSV). Numbers 28:18 In the first day shall be a holy convocation:
you shall do noservile work; (See NAS RSV). Numbers...
Convocation (19 Occurrences)
... Numbers 28:18 In the first day shall be a holy convocation: you shall do
noservile work; (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)....
Menial (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Belonging to a retinue or train of servants;
performingservile office; serving.... domestic servants;servile; low; mean....
Fire-offering (45 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 23:8 and ye have brought near a fire-offering to Jehovah seven days; in
the seventh day 'is' a holy convocation; ye do noservile work.' (YLT)....
Regular (95 Occurrences)
... offering. (BBE NIV). Numbers 28:18 In the first day shall be a holy
convocation: you shall do noservile work; (See NIV). Numbers...
Therein (269 Occurrences)
... dwellings. (KJV). Leviticus 23:7 In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation:
ye shall do noservile work therein. (KJV). Leviticus...
Sacred (140 Occurrences)
... See NAS). Numbers 28:18 In the first day shall be a holy convocation: you
shall do noservile work; (See NIV). Numbers 28:25 On the...
Labor (181 Occurrences)
... in distinction from sportive exercise; hard, muscular effort directed to some useful
end, as agriculture, manufactures, and like;servile toil; exertion; work....
Restraint (34 Occurrences)
... to Jehovah, on the eighth day ye have a holy convocation, and ye have brought near
a fire-offering to Jehovah; it 'is' a restraint, ye do noservile work....
Resources
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