Thematic Bible: Servant


Thematic Bible




for who is greatest, he that sits at table, or he that waits? is it not the person at table? yet I am among you as one that serves. Verse ConceptsTablesJesus Christ, Meekness OfChrist, Character OfHumility Of ChristReclining To EatServing PeopleServing

rose from supper, laid aside his garment, and took a towel to wrap about him. after that, he poured water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.



saying, "hurt not the earth, nor the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads." Verse ConceptsForeheadsRestraintDivine Protection, Examples OfHarming TreesSlaves Of GodhurtingChristians Are Called Servants Of God





If then there be a servant, appointed by his master to take care of his family, who faithfully and prudently distributes their allowance according to the establishment: happy is the servant, who shall be found so employed, at his master's return. I tell you, he shall make him steward of all his estate. read more.
but if he be dishonest, and says to himself, my Lord delays coming, and shall pretend to assault his fellow-servants, and spend his time with sots: the master of that servant will come in a day when he least expects it, and at an hour he is not aware of; and shall turn him out of the family, and give him the reward due to such behaviour: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.




Let your loins be girt, and your lamps burning: imitate those servants who stand waiting for their master's return from the wedding, to let him in as soon as he comes to the door. happy those servants, whom the master at his arrival shall find thus watching: I assure you, he shall gird himself, and make them sit at table, and will come to serve them. read more.
happy are the servants he finds in such a state, whether it be at the second or at the third watch of the night, when he comes. if the master of a house knew at what hour the thief would come, no doubt he would be on his guard, and not suffer him to break into his house. be ye therefore likewise prepar'd; for the son of man will come, when you least expect him. then Peter said to him, Lord, do you apply this similitude to us, or to all in general? Jesus answered, if there be a faithful prudent steward, appointed by his master to give his domesticks their stated allowance; happy is such a servant, whom his master at his return shall find so employ'd. I assure you, he will intrust him with the management of his whole estate. but if the servant should say within himself, my master delays his return; and fall a beating his fellow-servants, indulging himself in eating and drinking to excess. his master will return on a day he does not expect him, and a an hour he is ignorant of; he will separate him from the rest, and give him a treatment answerable to his infidelity. but the servant, who knows his master's will, and prepares not himself, nor executes his orders, shall receive many stripes. whereas he that does not know it, and does things worthy of chastisement, shall receive fewer stripes. for to whom much is given, of him shall much be required, and the more a man has been trusted, the greater will be the demand.

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Who of you having a servant, that plows, or feeds your cattle, will immediately upon his coming from field, say to him, come and sit at table? won't he rather say, get ready my supper, dress yourself, and wait upon me, till I have done eating and drinking; after that, take your meal? will he think himself oblig'd to that servant for doing what he was order'd? I believe not.

and the truth shall make you free. they answered him, we are Abraham's offspring, and were never slaves to any man: why then do you say, "ye shall be made free?" Jesus answered them, I declare unto you, whosoever committeth sin, is a slave to sin. read more.
a slave has no right to be in the house for life: but the son is settled there.

by no means. know ye not, that to whom ye subject your selves vassals at command, his vassals you are whom you thus obey; the vassals either of sin to destruction, or of obedience to justification? but God be thanked, that you, who were the vassals of sin, have sincerely obeyed in the manner the gospel prescribed. being then set free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. read more.
(I allude to civil affairs, because of your unacquaintedness with spiritual matters:) as then you made your natural faculties subservient to impurity, and all manner of vice; make them now subservient to virtue and holiness. for when ye were the vassals of sin, ye were not in the service of virtue. what benefit had you then in those things whereof you are now ashamed? since they terminated all in death. but now being set free from sin, and actually in the service of God, the present advantage you reap is holiness, and the future everlasting life.

were you called being a slave? be not perplex'd about it; but if you can obtain your freedom, don't refuse it. for the slave that turns christian, is the Lord's freedman: likewise, the freeman that becomes a convert is Christ's servant. have you been redeemed from slavery? then, don't turn slaves.


for the scripture says, "thou shalt not muzzle the ox, when he treads the corn." and, "the labourer is worthy of his reward." Verse ConceptsEmploymentMastersMinistry, In The ChurchThreshingWord Of GodMuzzlingOxenBinding As AnimalsScripture SaysSpecial RevelationRewardWorth






the reward is not counted as a favour to him that has done good actions, but as a debt: Verse ConceptsReward, HumanServants, Working Conditions OfOne's DeedsRighteousness imputedDebtWorking For GodWork Ethicworking



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Provide neither gold nor silver, nor brass in your purses: nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staves: for the workman deserves his maintenance.

nor their cinnamon, perfumes, essences, and frankincense; nor their wine, oil, fine flour, and wheat; their cattle, sheep, horses, and chariots; nor the servile souls of men. Verse ConceptsBabylonFrankincensePerfumeSpirit, Nature OfTradeCinnamonCommerceProviding WineProvision Of OilGroups Of Slaves


































nor their cinnamon, perfumes, essences, and frankincense; nor their wine, oil, fine flour, and wheat; their cattle, sheep, horses, and chariots; nor the servile souls of men. Verse ConceptsBabylonFrankincensePerfumeSpirit, Nature OfTradeCinnamonCommerceProviding WineProvision Of OilGroups Of Slaves



against licentiousness and unnatural passion, against men-stealers, lyars, perjured persons, and every thing that is inconsistent Verse ConceptsTradeSound DoctrineThe End Of LiarsDefilementgaysSexual ImmoralityBeing GayGay MarriageSame Sex MarriageSexual Purity




were you called being a slave? be not perplex'd about it; but if you can obtain your freedom, don't refuse it. for the slave that turns christian, is the Lord's freedman: likewise, the freeman that becomes a convert is Christ's servant.











were you called being a slave? be not perplex'd about it; but if you can obtain your freedom, don't refuse it. Verse ConceptsCivil LibertySlavesConsider Your Call To SalvationPeople Freeing SlavesOpportunityReligious FreedomslaveryFreedomPositive ThinkingBeing ContentMoralityfree
















he delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him wisdom to become acceptable to Pharaoh king of Egypt; who made him governor of Egypt, and all his houshold. Verse ConceptsGiving, Of TalentsDiscernment Of GovernorsRescueRulersWisdom, Human ImportanceGod Gives WisdomAfflictions


I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt; I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. come immediately, and I will send you into Egypt." Verse ConceptsAnswered PrayerOppression, God's Attitude ToRescueAnswered PromisesGod Seeing Their AfflictionGod Saving From EnemiesOppressorsGod Sending His SonGod Sending Prophets


this prince employ'd all his arts against our nation, and persecuted our fathers, by obliging them to expose their young children, in order to extirpate the race. Verse ConceptsSanctity Of LifeInfanticideOppressorsKilling Sons And DaughtersThe Death Of Babies

then came he who had received the one talent, and said, Lord, I knew that you were a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered: fear made me hide the talent under ground: but there you have what is your own. his lord answered and said unto him, thou vile slothful wretch, you knew that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not scatter'd: read more.
should not you then have lodged my money at the banker's, and so at my return I should have received my own with interest. here, take the talent from him, and give it to him that has the ten. for he that makes use of what he has, shall have more; but if he makes no improvement thereof, it shall be taken from him. take then that worthless fellow, turn him out in the dark, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

but another came and said, Lord, here's your money, which I laid up safe in a napkin. for I was in fear of you, knowing you to be a hard master, who exact what you never gave, and reap where you have never sown. wicked slave, said he, from your own mouth will I convict thee. "you knew I was a hard master, exacting what I never gave, and reaping where I never sowed: read more.
" why then did you not lodge my money in the bank, that on my return I might have drawn it out with interest? then he said to his attendants, take the one pound from him, and give it him, that gain'd ten. but they objected, Lord, he has already ten pounds: I tell you, said he, that to every one who improves, more shall be given: and he that makes no improvement, shall be stript of what he has.

So it was when a man was going to travel into a foreign country, he called his servants, and delivered to them his stock: to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to every man according to his respective ability, and then set out on his journey. now he that had received five talents, immediately employed them in trade, and gain'd five talents more. read more.
so he that had received two, gained likewise other two. but he that had received one, went to dig a hole in the ground, and hid his lord's money. after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them. accordingly he that had received five talents, came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, you delivered to me five talents: besides those, there's five talents more, which I have gain'd. his lord said to him, well done, thou art an honest faithful servant; thou hast been faithful in a small trust, I will give thee a much larger trust; go in and partake of thy master's diversions. he also that had received two talents, came and said, Lord, you delivered to me two talents: here are two other talents which I have gain'd besides them. his lord said to him, well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful in a small trust, I will give thee a much larger trust: go in and partake of your master's joy.

a nobleman, said he, was going to travel to a foreign country, in order to have his kingdom confirm'd to him at his return. and he called ten of his servants, to whom he deliver'd ten pounds: improve that, said he, till I return. but he being hated by the citizens, after he was gone, they sent a deputation to court, to make this protest, "we will not have him for our king." read more.
upon his return, being confirm'd king, he order'd the servants, he had trusted with the money, to appear, and inform him, what improvement each of them had made. the first came and said, Lord, your one pound has gained ten more. he answer'd, honest servant, that's well: since your industry has made so much of so little, I give you the government of ten cities. then the second came, and said, Lord, your pound has produc'd five more. his master replied, you shall be governor of five cities.




Hear another parable: a certain landlord planted a vineyard, hedged it round, set up a wine-press in it, and built a tower, then lett it out to tenants, and went into a foreign country. and when the fruit-season came on, he sent his servants to the tenants, to receive the fruits of it. but they seiz'd his servants, beat some, killed one, and stoned another. read more.
then he sent a greater number of servants, than at first: who met with the same treatment. but last of all, he sent his son, saying, they will reverence my son. but when the tenants saw the son, they said among themselves, this is the heir, come, let us kill him, and then seize on his inheritance. so seizing upon him, they turn'd him out of the vineyard, and slew him. when the master therefore of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants? they answered, he will give those wretches no quarter, and will let out his vineyard to such as shall duly account for the profits thereof.

Then Jesus address'd himself to them in this parabolical manner. a certain person planted a vineyard, made a fence about it, clear'd the way for a wine-press, built a tower, and committed it to the care of vine-dressers, while he was travelling abroad. at the time of vintage he sent his servant to the vine-dressers to receive the profits of his vineyard. but they seized on him, and beat him, and sent him home empty. read more.
after this he sent another servant to them, him they assaulted with stones and cudgels, and sent him back with contempt. then he sent another, whom they killed: and of several more, some they beat, some they killed. at last, having one only son, whom he loved, he sent him to them; surely, said he, they will reverence my son. but these husbandmen said to one another, this is the heir, come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be our own. so they seized upon him, and dragg'd him out of the vineyard, and killed him. now what will the master of the vineyard do? on his return, said they, he will destroy those vine-dressers, and give his vineyard to others.













the centurion answered, Lord, I am not worthy the honour of such a visit: do but give the word, and my servant is sav'd. for I am a man under authority, having soldiers under my command: I bid this man, go, and he's gone: another, come, and he's here: and to my servant, do this, and it is done. when Jesus heard it, he was surpriz'd, and said to his followers, I profess I have not met with such an instance of faith, no not in Israel. read more.
and I declare unto you, that many shall come from the east and from the west, and shall sit at table with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the heavenly kingdom. but the heirs to the kingdom shall be cast into the darkness without: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. and Jesus said to the centurion, go thy way, what you believed could be done, is effected for you. and his servant was healed in that very hour.

where a certain centurion had a servant whom he greatly valued, lying sick and ready to die. this centurion having heard of Jesus's fame, sent several elders of the Jews to intreat him to come, and recover his servant. accordingly they came to Jesus and earnestly pressed him, saying, he very well deserves you should do him this favour; for he loves our nation, read more.
and hath built us a synagogue at his own charge. then Jesus went with him, and when he was advanced near the house, the centurion sent some of his friends to him, saying, "Lord, don't give yourself the trouble of coming, I don't deserve you should honour my house with your presence. nor did I think myself worthy to attend you: speak but the word, and my servant shall be cured. for though I am subject to authority, I have soldiers under me: I bid one go, and he goes: I bid another come, and he comes: I bid my servant do this, and he does it." when Jesus heard this, he admired the man, and turning about, he said to the people, that followed him, I assure you, I have not met with such an instance of faith even among the Jews themselves. and they that were sent, being return'd to the house, they found the servant, who had been sick, in good health.












but being insolvent, his lord gave orders that he, with his wife, and children, and all that he had, should be sold for payment. Verse ConceptsLordship, Human And DivineDebtorsOther WivesSettling AccountsUnable To Do Other ThingsDebt



In the mean time Peter was in the entry of the hall, where one of the maids belonging to the high priest came: Verse ConceptsCourtyard
















and he was reduced to want, which forc'd him to make his application to one of the inhabitants there, who sent him to his farm to look after his swine. for he would have been contented to have liv'd upon the carruways, with which they usually fed the swine: but nobody would supply him. at length coming to himself, how many, said he, does my father keep in pay, who have bread in abundance, whilst I am dying here with hunger? read more.
I will depart, and go to my father, and say to him, father, I have sinned against heaven, and against thee; I am no longer worthy to be called your son: treat me as one of your hir'd servants.

at length coming to himself, how many, said he, does my father keep in pay, who have bread in abundance, whilst I am dying here with hunger? Verse ConceptsSelf KnowledgeRegaining SanitySoliloquyNo FoodDeath Of A Fatherhomecoming

I am no longer worthy to be called your son: treat me as one of your hir'd servants. Verse ConceptsServants Of The Lord








For the kingdom of the Messiah is like a family, the master whereof went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. having agreed with them for a penny a day, he sent them to his vineyard. he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the market-place, and said to them, read more.
go ye likewise to my vineyard, and I will give you what is reasonable: accordingly they went thither. about the sixth and ninth hour he went out again, and gave the like directions. at last, about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and said to them, why do you stand idling thus all day long? they answer'd him, because we are not hired; go work then. said he, in my vineyard, and I will give you what's reasonable. so when even was come, the master of the vineyard said to his steward, call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last to the first. they then that were hired about the eleventh hour, came and received every man his penny. last of all they came who were hired first, expecting to have received more, but they had only a penny a man, who upon the receipt of it fell a murmuring against the master, and cry'd, these last have work'd but an hour, and you put them upon the level with us, who have born the whole fatigue and heat of the day. but he answered one of them, friend, I do thee no wrong: did not you agree for a penny a day? take your due, and be gone: I will give the last the same I give you. can't I do what I will with my own? because I am bountiful, are you invidious?




For the kingdom of the Messiah is like a family, the master whereof went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. having agreed with them for a penny a day, he sent them to his vineyard. he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the market-place, and said to them,






'tis true he was formerly useless to you, but now he will be useful to us both: Verse ConceptsUseless PeopleUseful People


'tis true he was formerly useless to you, but now he will be useful to us both: Verse ConceptsUseless PeopleUseful People



I writ this upon the presumption of your compliance, being persuaded that you will even do more than I mention.



I writ this upon the presumption of your compliance, being persuaded that you will even do more than I mention.


As soon as the angel that spoke to Cornelius was departed, he called two of his domesticks, and a devout soldier, one of those that were in waiting: Verse ConceptsDevout MenTwo Other Men

having agreed with them for a penny a day, he sent them to his vineyard. Verse ConceptsAgreeing For GoodMoney, Uses OfNegotiationCoinsAgreeingOnce A Day


for I am a man under authority, having soldiers under my command: I bid this man, go, and he's gone: another, come, and he's here: and to my servant, do this, and it is done. Verse ConceptsCommands, in NTServants, GoodHuman Authority, Nature OfAuthority Delegated To PeopleMen's OrdersObeying PeopleExamples Of Good Servants


when some out of the several synagogues, belonging to the freed men, to the Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and to those of Cilicia, and of Asia, came to dispute with Stephen. Verse ConceptsAlexandria The CityConfrontationMissionaries, Support ForSynagogueGod, Impartiality OfFalse Teachers, Examples OfDisputes