17 Bible Verses about Servants

Most Relevant Verses

John 13:5

Then He *poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

Philippians 2:1-4

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;read more.
do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

From Thematic Bible


Christian ministers » Servants » Soldiers of Christ

Philippians 2:25

But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need;

2 Timothy 2:3-4

Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.

Christian ministers » Servants » Of jesus Christ

Christian ministers » Servants » Of God

Titus 1:1

Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,

Christian ministers » Servants » Stars

Revelation 1:20

As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Revelation 2:1

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:

Christian ministers » Servants » Of the grace of God

Christian ministers » Servants » of the Lord

Christian ministers » Servants » Shepherds

Jeremiah 23:4

I will also raise up shepherds over them and they will tend them; and they will not be afraid any longer, nor be terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the Lord.

Christian ministers » Servants » Of the mysteries of God

Christian ministers » Servants » Stewards of God

Christian ministers » Servants » Of the church

Duty » Servants » Faithfulness

Duty » Servants » Respect for masters

1 Timothy 6:1

All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against.

Duty » Servants » Obedience

Duty » Servants » Patience in hard places

1 Peter 2:18

Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.

Duty » Servants » Desire to please

Titus 2:9

Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,

Faithful » Servants

Exodus 21:5

But if the slave plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife and my children; I will not go out as a free man,’

Psalm 123:2

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master,
As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
So our eyes look to the Lord our God,
Until He is gracious to us.

Proverbs 17:2

A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully,
And will share in the inheritance among brothers.

Proverbs 27:18

He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit,
And he who cares for his master will be honored.

More verses: Matthew 24:45

Injustice » Specially to be avoided towards » Servants

Job 31:13-14

"If I have despised the claim of my male or female slaves When they filed a complaint against me, What then could I do when God arises? And when He calls me to account, what will I answer Him?

Intercessory prayer » Should be offered up for » Servants

Luke 7:2-3

And a centurion's slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders asking Him to come and save the life of his slave.

Presents » Things given as » Servants

Genesis 29:29

Laban also gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maid.

Genesis 29:24

Laban also gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah as a maid.

Genesis 20:14

Abimelech then took sheep and oxen and male and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and restored his wife Sarah to him.

Servant » Instances of good » Servants » Of david

2 Samuel 15:21

But Ittai answered the king and said, “As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely wherever my lord the king may be, whether for death or for life, there also your servant will be.”

2 Samuel 12:18

Then it happened on the seventh day that the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Behold, while the child was still alive, we spoke to him and he did not listen to our voice. How then can we tell him that the child is dead, since he might do himself harm!”

2 Samuel 15:15

Then the king’s servants said to the king, “Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king chooses.”

Servant » Instances of good » Servants » Of abigail

1 Samuel 25:14-17

But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, "Behold, David sent messengers from the wilderness to greet our master, and he scorned them. "Yet the men were very good to us, and we were not insulted, nor did we miss anything as long as we went about with them, while we were in the fields. "They were a wall to us both by night and by day, all the time we were with them tending the sheep. read more.
"Now therefore, know and consider what you should do, for evil is plotted against our master and against all his household; and he is such a worthless man that no one can speak to him."

Servant » Instances of good » Servants » Of naaman

2 Kings 5:2-3

Now the Arameans had gone out in bands and had taken captive a little girl from the land of Israel; and she waited on Naaman's wife. She said to her mistress, "I wish that my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would cure him of his leprosy."

2 Kings 5:13

Then his servants came near and spoke to him and said, “My father, had the prophet told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?”

Servant » Instances of good » Servants » Of nehemiah

Nehemiah 4:16

From that day on, half of my servants carried on the work while half of them held the spears, the shields, the bows and the breastplates; and the captains were behind the whole house of Judah.

Nehemiah 4:23

So neither I, my brothers, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us removed our clothes, each took his weapon even to the water.

Servant » Instances of good » Servants » Of jonathan

1 Samuel 14:7

His armor bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart; turn yourself, and here I am with you according to your desire.”

Servant » Instances of good » Servants » Onesimus

Philemon 1:11

who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.

Servant » Instances of good » Servants » Of cornelius

Acts 10:7

When the angel who was speaking to him had left, he summoned two of his servants and a devout soldier of those who were his personal attendants,

Servant » Instances of good » Servants » Of the roman centurion

Matthew 8:9

For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”

Servant » Instances of good » Servants » Of boaz

Ruth 2:4

Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem and said to the reapers, “May the Lord be with you.” And they said to him, “May the Lord bless you.”

Servant » Instances of good » Servants » Of ziba

Servant » Instances of good » Servants » Of abraham

Servants » God's

1 Chronicles 6:49

But Aaron and his sons offered on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense, for all the work of the most holy place, and to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.

Servants » Servants not being able to serve two masters

2 Corinthians 6:14-16

Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.

1 Corinthians 10:20-22

No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? We are not stronger than He, are we?

James 3:9-12

With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? read more.
Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.

Servants » When good » Are partakers of gospel privileges

Servants » What servants should do

Titus 2:9

Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,

Ephesians 6:5-8

Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, read more.
knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

1 Timothy 6:1-2

All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against. Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved Teach and preach these principles.

Colossians 3:22-23

Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,

Servants » The term often used to express humility

Genesis 33:5

He lifted his eyes and saw the women and the children, and said, “Who are these with you?” So he said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.”

Genesis 18:3

and said, “My Lord, if now I have found favor in Your sight, please do not pass Your servant by.

1 Samuel 20:7

If he says, ‘It is good,’ your servant will be safe; but if he is very angry, know that he has decided on evil.

1 Kings 20:32

So they girded sackcloth on their loins and put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel and said, “Your servant Ben-hadad says, ‘Please let me live.’” And he said, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.”

Servants » Slaves or bond » To participate in all national rejoicings

Deuteronomy 12:18

But you shall eat them before the Lord your God in the place which the Lord your God will choose, you and your son and daughter, and your male and female servants, and the Levite who is within your gates; and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God in all your undertakings.

Deuteronomy 16:11

and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female servants and the Levite who is in your town, and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your midst, in the place where the Lord your God chooses to establish His name.

Deuteronomy 16:14

and you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female servants and the Levite and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your towns.

Servants » Christ condescended to the office of

John 13:5

Then He *poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

Luke 22:27

For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

Servants » Slaves or bond » All israelites sold as, to be free at the jubilee

Leviticus 25:10

You shall thus consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim a release through the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, and each of you shall return to his own property, and each of you shall return to his family.

Leviticus 25:40-41

'He shall be with you as a hired man, as if he were a sojourner; he shall serve with you until the year of jubilee. 'He shall then go out from you, he and his sons with him, and shall go back to his family, that he may return to the property of his forefathers.

Leviticus 25:54

Even if he is not redeemed by these means, he shall still go out in the year of jubilee, he and his sons with him.

Servants » Slaves or bond » Seizing and stealing of men for, condemned and punished by the law

Deuteronomy 24:7

If a man is caught kidnapping any of his countrymen of the sons of Israel, and he deals with him violently or sells him, then that thief shall die; so you shall purge the evil from among you.

1 Timothy 1:10

and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching,

Exodus 21:16

He who kidnaps a man, whether he sells him or he is found in his possession, shall surely be put to death.

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To be faithful to them

Titus 2:10

not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.

Luke 16:10-12

"He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. "Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you? "And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?

Servants » Bond, illustrative » Of Christ

Psalm 40:6

Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired;
My ears You have opened;
Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required.

Philippians 2:7-8

but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Hebrews 10:5

Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says,
Sacrifice and offering You have not desired,
But a body You have prepared for Me;

Servants » Slaves or bond » By birth

Genesis 14:14

When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.

Psalm 116:16

O Lord, surely I am Your servant,
I am Your servant, the son of Your handmaid,
You have loosed my bonds.

Jeremiah 2:14

“Is Israel a slave? Or is he a homeborn servant?
Why has he become a prey?

Servants » When good » Have God with them

Genesis 39:21

But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer.

Genesis 31:42

If the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had not been for me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the toil of my hands, so He rendered judgment last night.”

Acts 7:9-10

"The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt. Yet God was with him, and rescued him from all his afflictions, and granted him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he made him governor over Egypt and all his household.

Servants » The servant of the lord

Isaiah 53:1-12

Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. read more.
Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth. By oppression and judgment He was taken away; And as for His generation, who considered That He was cut off out of the land of the living For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due? His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth. But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand. As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities. Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.

Isaiah 42:1-7

"Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations. "He will not cry out or raise His voice, Nor make His voice heard in the street. "A bruised reed He will not break And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice. read more.
"He will not be disheartened or crushed Until He has established justice in the earth; And the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law." Thus says God the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its offspring, Who gives breath to the people on it And spirit to those who walk in it, "I am the LORD, I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You, And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations, To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon And those who dwell in darkness from the prison.

Isaiah 50:4-10

The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of disciples, That I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple. The Lord GOD has opened My ear; And I was not disobedient Nor did I turn back. I gave My back to those who strike Me, And My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting. read more.
For the Lord GOD helps Me, Therefore, I am not disgraced; Therefore, I have set My face like flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed. He who vindicates Me is near; Who will contend with Me? Let us stand up to each other; Who has a case against Me? Let him draw near to Me. Behold, the Lord GOD helps Me; Who is he who condemns Me? Behold, they will all wear out like a garment; The moth will eat them. Who is among you that fears the LORD, That obeys the voice of His servant, That walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.

Isaiah 52:12-15

But you will not go out in haste, Nor will you go as fugitives; For the LORD will go before you, And the God of Israel will be your rear guard. Behold, My servant will prosper, He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted. Just as many were astonished at you, My people, So His appearance was marred more than any man And His form more than the sons of men. read more.
Thus He will sprinkle many nations, Kings will shut their mouths on account of Him; For what had not been told them they will see, And what they had not heard they will understand.

Servants » Faithful servants

Luke 12:35-40

"Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. "Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. "Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them. read more.
"Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. "But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into. "You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect."

Luke 19:12-19

So He said, "A nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return. "And he called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas and said to them, 'Do business with this until I come back.' "But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'We do not want this man to reign over us.' read more.
"When he returned, after receiving the kingdom, he ordered that these slaves, to whom he had given the money, be called to him so that he might know what business they had done. "The first appeared, saying, 'Master, your mina has made ten minas more.' "And he said to him, 'Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities.' "The second came, saying, 'Your mina, master, has made five minas.' "And he said to him also, 'And you are to be over five cities.'

Matthew 24:42-47

"Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. "But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. "For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will. read more.
"Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? "Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. "Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To be submissive even to the froward

Genesis 16:6

But Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your maid is in your power; do to her what is good in your sight.” So Sarai treated her harshly, and she fled from her presence.

1 Peter 2:18

Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.

Genesis 16:9

Then the angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her authority.”

Servants » When good » Deserve the confidence of their masters

Genesis 24:2

Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he owned, “Please place your hand under my thigh,

Genesis 24:4

but you will go to my country and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac.”

Genesis 39:4

So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge.

Servants » Bond, illustrative » Of the wicked

Romans 6:16

Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?

Romans 6:19

I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.

Servants » Bond, illustrative » Of saints

Servants » Persons devoted to God so called

Isaiah 56:6

“Also the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord,
To minister to Him, and to love the name of the Lord,
To be His servants, every one who keeps from profaning the sabbath
And holds fast My covenant;

Psalm 119:49

Zayin.
Remember the word to Your servant,
In which You have made me hope.

Servants » Who shall be servant of all

Matthew 23:8-11

"But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. "Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. "Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. read more.
"But the greatest among you shall be your servant.

Mark 10:42-44

Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. "But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.

Servants » Slaves or bond » When israelites not to be treated with rigor

Leviticus 25:39-40

'If a countryman of yours becomes so poor with regard to you that he sells himself to you, you shall not subject him to a slave's service. 'He shall be with you as a hired man, as if he were a sojourner; he shall serve with you until the year of jubilee.

Leviticus 25:46

You may even bequeath them to your sons after you, to receive as a possession; you can use them as permanent slaves. But in respect to your countrymen, the sons of Israel, you shall not rule with severity over one another.

Servants » Servants not being greater than their masters

John 15:20

Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

Matthew 10:24-25

"A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. "It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household!

John 13:16

Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.

Servants » Hired » To be paid without delay at the expiration of their service

Deuteronomy 24:15

You shall give him his wages on his day before the sun sets, for he is poor and sets his heart on it; so that he will not cry against you to the Lord and it become sin in you.

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To be anxious for their welfare

2 Kings 5:2-3

Now the Arameans had gone out in bands and had taken captive a little girl from the land of Israel; and she waited on Naaman's wife. She said to her mistress, "I wish that my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would cure him of his leprosy."

1 Samuel 25:14-17

But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, "Behold, David sent messengers from the wilderness to greet our master, and he scorned them. "Yet the men were very good to us, and we were not insulted, nor did we miss anything as long as we went about with them, while we were in the fields. "They were a wall to us both by night and by day, all the time we were with them tending the sheep. read more.
"Now therefore, know and consider what you should do, for evil is plotted against our master and against all his household; and he is such a worthless man that no one can speak to him."

Servants » Hired » Hebrew slaves serving strangers to be treated as

Leviticus 25:47

‘Now if the means of a stranger or of a sojourner with you becomes sufficient, and a countryman of yours becomes so poor with regard to him as to sell himself to a stranger who is sojourning with you, or to the descendants of a stranger’s family,

Leviticus 25:53

Like a man hired year by year he shall be with him; he shall not rule over him with severity in your sight.

Servants » Jesus Christ taking the form of a servant

Luke 22:22-27

"For indeed, the Son of Man is going as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!" And they began to discuss among themselves which one of them it might be who was going to do this thing. And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. read more.
And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called 'Benefactors.' "But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. "For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

Philippians 2:5-8

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. read more.
Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Servants » Slaves or bond » Persons of distinction had many

Genesis 14:14

When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.

Ecclesiastes 2:7

I bought male and female slaves and I had homeborn slaves. Also I possessed flocks and herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem.

Servants » Unfaithful servants

Luke 19:12-27

So He said, "A nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return. "And he called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas and said to them, 'Do business with this until I come back.' "But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'We do not want this man to reign over us.' read more.
"When he returned, after receiving the kingdom, he ordered that these slaves, to whom he had given the money, be called to him so that he might know what business they had done. "The first appeared, saying, 'Master, your mina has made ten minas more.' "And he said to him, 'Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities.' "The second came, saying, 'Your mina, master, has made five minas.' "And he said to him also, 'And you are to be over five cities.' "Another came, saying, 'Master, here is your mina, which I kept put away in a handkerchief; for I was afraid of you, because you are an exacting man; you take up what you did not lay down and reap what you did not sow.' "He said to him, 'By your own words I will judge you, you worthless slave. Did you know that I am an exacting man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow? 'Then why did you not put my money in the bank, and having come, I would have collected it with interest?' "Then he said to the bystanders, 'Take the mina away from him and give it to the one who has the ten minas.' "And they said to him, 'Master, he has ten minas already.' "I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. "But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence."

Matthew 24:42-51

"Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. "But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. "For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will. read more.
"Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? "Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. "Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. "But if that evil slave says in his heart, 'My master is not coming for a long time,' and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards; the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Servants » Characteristics of wicked servants: » Eye-servants

Servants » Characteristics of wicked servants: » Men-pleasers

Servants » Duties of, to masters » Not to serve them with eye-service, as men-pleasers

Servants » Slaves or bond » When israelites to have their liberty after six years service

Deuteronomy 15:12

If your kinsman, a Hebrew man or woman, is sold to you, then he shall serve you six years, but in the seventh year you shall set him free.

Servants » Slaves or bond » Of others not to be coveted or enticed away

Deuteronomy 5:21

You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field or his male servant or his female servant, his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.’

Exodus 20:17

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

Servants » Slaves or bond » Captives taken in war often kept as

2 Kings 5:2

Now the Arameans had gone out in bands and had taken captive a little girl from the land of Israel; and she waited on Naaman’s wife.

Deuteronomy 20:14

Only the women and the children and the animals and all that is in the city, all its spoil, you shall take as booty for yourself; and you shall use the spoil of your enemies which the Lord your God has given you.

Servants » Should serve » Heartily, as to the lord, and not unto men

Servants » Should serve » In singleness of heart

Servants » Should serve » In the fear of God

Servants » Divided into » Bond

Genesis 43:18

Now the men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph’s house; and they said, “It is because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time that we are being brought in, that he may seek occasion against us and fall upon us, and take us for slaves with our donkeys.”

Leviticus 25:46

You may even bequeath them to your sons after you, to receive as a possession; you can use them as permanent slaves. But in respect to your countrymen, the sons of Israel, you shall not rule with severity over one another.

Servants » When good » Shall be rewarded

Servants » Bad--exemplified

2 Samuel 14:30

Therefore he said to his servants, “See, Joab’s field is next to mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire.” So Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.

Genesis 13:7

And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. Now the Canaanite and the Perizzite were dwelling then in the land.

2 Samuel 13:28

Absalom commanded his servants, saying, “See now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then put him to death. Do not fear; have not I myself commanded you? Be courageous and be valiant.”

Servants » Characteristics of wicked servants: » Deceit

Psalm 101:6-7

My eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me; He who walks in a blameless way is the one who will minister to me. He who practices deceit shall not dwell within my house; He who speaks falsehood shall not maintain his position before me.

2 Samuel 19:26

So he answered, “O my lord, the king, my servant deceived me; for your servant said, ‘I will saddle a donkey for myself that I may ride on it and go with the king,’ because your servant is lame.

Servants » When good » To be honored

Proverbs 27:18

He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit,
And he who cares for his master will be honored.

Genesis 24:31

And he said, “Come in, blessed of the Lord! Why do you stand outside since I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels?”

Servants » Hired » If foreigners not allowed to partake of the passover or holy things

Exodus 12:45

A sojourner or a hired servant shall not eat of it.

Leviticus 22:10

No layman, however, is to eat the holy gift; a sojourner with the priest or a hired man shall not eat of the holy gift.

Servants » Hired » Engaged by the year

Leviticus 25:53

Like a man hired year by year he shall be with him; he shall not rule over him with severity in your sight.

Isaiah 16:14

But now the Lord speaks, saying, “Within three years, as a hired man would count them, the glory of Moab will be degraded along with all his great population, and his remnant will be very small and impotent.”

Servants » Who is not a mere servant

Galatians 4:6-7

Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

John 15:1-15

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. read more.
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. "These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. "You are My friends if you do what I command you. "No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To bless God for mercies shown to them

Genesis 24:48

And I bowed low and worshiped the Lord, and blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had guided me in the right way to take the daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son.

Genesis 24:27

He said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His lovingkindness and His truth toward my master; as for me, the Lord has guided me in the way to the house of my master’s brothers.”

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To be industrious in laboring for them

Nehemiah 4:16

From that day on, half of my servants carried on the work while half of them held the spears, the shields, the bows and the breastplates; and the captains were behind the whole house of Judah.

Nehemiah 4:23

So neither I, my brothers, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us removed our clothes, each took his weapon even to the water.

Servants » Slaves or bond » When foreigners to be circumcised

Genesis 17:13

A servant who is born in your house or who is bought with your money shall surely be circumcised; thus shall My covenant be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.

Genesis 17:27

All the men of his household, who were born in the house or bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.

Servants » Slaves or bond » By purchase

Genesis 37:36

Meanwhile, the Midianites sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, Pharaoh’s officer, the captain of the bodyguard.

Genesis 17:27

All the men of his household, who were born in the house or bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.

Servants » When good » Often exalted

Proverbs 17:2

A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully,
And will share in the inheritance among brothers.

Genesis 41:40

You shall be over my house, and according to your command all my people shall do homage; only in the throne I will be greater than you.”

Servants » Who is the servant of sin

John 8:34-35

Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. "The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever.

Romans 6:15-20

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, read more.
and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

Servants » Characteristics of wicked servants: » Quarrelsomeness

Genesis 26:20

the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with the herdsmen of Isaac, saying, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they contended with him.

Genesis 13:7

And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. Now the Canaanite and the Perizzite were dwelling then in the land.

Servants » Slaves or bond » Persons unable to pay their debts liable to be sold as

Nehemiah 5:4-5

Also there were those who said, "We have borrowed money for the king's tax on our fields and our vineyards. "Now our flesh is like the flesh of our brothers, our children like their children Yet behold, we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters are forced into bondage already, and we are helpless because our fields and vineyards belong to others."

Servants » Slaves or bond » Engaged in the most menial offices

John 13:4-5

got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

1 Samuel 25:41

She arose and bowed with her face to the ground and said, “Behold, your maidservant is a maid to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.”

Servants » Slaves or bond » Called bondmen

Genesis 43:18

Now the men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph’s house; and they said, “It is because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time that we are being brought in, that he may seek occasion against us and fall upon us, and take us for slaves with our donkeys.”

Genesis 44:9

With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my lord’s slaves.”

Servants » Divided into » Male

Genesis 32:5

I have oxen and donkeys and flocks and male and female servants; and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight.”’”

Genesis 24:34

So he said, “I am Abraham’s servant.

Servants » When good » Bring God's blessing upon their masters

Genesis 30:27

But Laban said to him, “If now it pleases you, stay with me; I have divined that the Lord has blessed me on your account.”

Genesis 39:3

Now his master saw that the Lord was with him and how the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hand.

Servants » When good » Are guided by God

Genesis 24:7

The Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my birth, and who spoke to me and who swore to me, saying, ‘To your descendants I will give this land,’ He will send His angel before you, and you will take a wife for my son from there.

Genesis 24:27

He said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His lovingkindness and His truth toward my master; as for me, the Lord has guided me in the way to the house of my master’s brothers.”

Servants » Persons devoted to the service of another so called

1 Kings 19:21

So he returned from following him, and took the pair of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the implements of the oxen, and gave it to the people and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah and ministered to him.

Exodus 24:13

So Moses arose with Joshua his servant, and Moses went up to the mountain of God.

Servants » Good--exemplified

Genesis 35:8

Now Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died, and she was buried below Bethel under the oak; it was named Allon-bacuth.

Genesis 24:59

Thus they sent away their sister Rebekah and her nurse with Abraham’s servant and his men.

Acts 7:10

and rescued him from all his afflictions, and granted him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he made him governor over Egypt and all his household.

Genesis 39:3

Now his master saw that the Lord was with him and how the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hand.

Servants » Characteristics of wicked servants: » Lying

2 Kings 5:22

He said, “All is well. My master has sent me, saying, ‘Behold, just now two young men of the sons of the prophets have come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothes.’”

2 Kings 5:25

But he went in and stood before his master. And Elisha said to him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant went nowhere.”

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To honor them

1 Timothy 6:1

All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against.

Malachi 1:6

“‘A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My respect?’ says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name. But you say, ‘How have we despised Your name?’

Servants » Divided into » Female

Genesis 32:5

I have oxen and donkeys and flocks and male and female servants; and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight.”’”

Genesis 16:6

But Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your maid is in your power; do to her what is good in your sight.” So Sarai treated her harshly, and she fled from her presence.

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To be profitable to them

Luke 19:15-16

"When he returned, after receiving the kingdom, he ordered that these slaves, to whom he had given the money, be called to him so that he might know what business they had done. "The first appeared, saying, 'Master, your mina has made ten minas more.'

Luke 19:18

The second came, saying, ‘Your mina, master, has made five minas.’

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To obey them

Titus 2:9

Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,

Servants » The subjects of a prince or king so called

Exodus 11:8

All these your servants will come down to me and bow themselves before me, saying, ‘Go out, you and all the people who follow you,’ and after that I will go out.” And he went out from Pharaoh in hot anger.

Exodus 9:20

The one among the servants of Pharaoh who feared the word of the Lord made his servants and his livestock flee into the houses;

Servants » Hired » Often oppressed and their wages kept back

Servants » Hired » Called hirelings

John 10:12-13

"He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. "He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep.

Job 7:1

Is not man forced to labor on earth,
And are not his days like the days of a hired man?

Servants » Divided into » Hired

Mark 1:20

Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him.

Luke 15:17

But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger!

Servants » Who not to be the servant of

1 Corinthians 7:23-24

You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called.

Servants » Should be contented in their situation

1 Corinthians 7:20-21

Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called. Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that.

Servants » Slaves or bond » To be furnished liberally, when their servitude expired

Deuteronomy 15:13-14

"When you set him free, you shall not send him away empty-handed. "You shall furnish him liberally from your flock and from your threshing floor and from your wine vat; you shall give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you.

Servants » Slaves or bond » Sometimes intermarried with their master's family

1 Chronicles 2:34-35

Now Sheshan had no sons, only daughters. And Sheshan had an Egyptian servant whose name was Jarha. Sheshan gave his daughter to Jarha his servant in marriage, and she bore him Attai.

Servants » Wise servants

Proverbs 17:2

A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully,
And will share in the inheritance among brothers.

Proverbs 14:35

The king’s favor is toward a servant who acts wisely,
But his anger is toward him who acts shamefully.

Servants » Slaves or bond » Israelites sold to strangers as, might be redeemed by their nearest of kin

Leviticus 25:47-55

'Now if the means of a stranger or of a sojourner with you becomes sufficient, and a countryman of yours becomes so poor with regard to him as to sell himself to a stranger who is sojourning with you, or to the descendants of a stranger's family, then he shall have redemption right after he has been sold. One of his brothers may redeem him, or his uncle, or his uncle's son, may redeem him, or one of his blood relatives from his family may redeem him; or if he prospers, he may redeem himself. read more.
'He then with his purchaser shall calculate from the year when he sold himself to him up to the year of jubilee; and the price of his sale shall correspond to the number of years. It is like the days of a hired man that he shall be with him. 'If there are still many years, he shall refund part of his purchase price in proportion to them for his own redemption; and if few years remain until the year of jubilee, he shall so calculate with him. In proportion to his years he is to refund the amount for his redemption. 'Like a man hired year by year he shall be with him; he shall not rule over him with severity in your sight. 'Even if he is not redeemed by these means, he shall still go out in the year of jubilee, he and his sons with him. 'For the sons of Israel are My servants; they are My servants whom I brought out from the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

Servants » When good » Are the lord's freemen

1 Corinthians 7:22

For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave.

Servants » Hired » Hebrew slaves serving their brethren to be treated as

Leviticus 25:39-40

'If a countryman of yours becomes so poor with regard to you that he sells himself to you, you shall not subject him to a slave's service. 'He shall be with you as a hired man, as if he were a sojourner; he shall serve with you until the year of jubilee.

Servants » Characteristics of wicked servants: » Do not bear to be exalted

Proverbs 30:21-22

Under three things the earth quakes, And under four, it cannot bear up: Under a slave when he becomes king, And a fool when he is satisfied with food,

Servants » Slaves or bond » Seeking protection not to be delivered up to masters

Deuteronomy 23:15

You shall not hand over to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you.

Servants » Slaves or bond » Sometimes rose to rank and station

Ecclesiastes 10:7

I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land.

Servants » Slaves or bond » More valuable than hired servants

Deuteronomy 15:18

“It shall not seem hard to you when you set him free, for he has given you six years with double the service of a hired man; so the Lord your God will bless you in whatever you do.

Servants » Hired » Not to be oppressed

Deuteronomy 24:14

You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your countrymen or one of your aliens who is in your land in your towns.

Servants » Persons of low condition so called

Ecclesiastes 10:7

I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land.

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To be prudent in the management of their affairs

Genesis 24:34-49

So he said, "I am Abraham's servant. "The LORD has greatly blessed my master, so that he has become rich; and He has given him flocks and herds, and silver and gold, and servants and maids, and camels and donkeys. "Now Sarah my master's wife bore a son to my master in her old age, and he has given him all that he has. read more.
"My master made me swear, saying, 'You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live; but you shall go to my father's house and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son.' "I said to my master, 'Suppose the woman does not follow me.' "He said to me, 'The LORD, before whom I have walked, will send His angel with you to make your journey successful, and you will take a wife for my son from my relatives and from my father's house; then you will be free from my oath, when you come to my relatives; and if they do not give her to you, you will be free from my oath.' "So I came today to the spring, and said, 'O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, if now You will make my journey on which I go successful; behold, I am standing by the spring, and may it be that the maiden who comes out to draw, and to whom I say, "Please let me drink a little water from your jar"; and she will say to me, "You drink, and I will draw for your camels also"; let her be the woman whom the LORD has appointed for my master's son.' "Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder, and went down to the spring and drew, and I said to her, 'Please let me drink.' "She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder, and said, 'Drink, and I will water your camels also'; so I drank, and she watered the camels also. "Then I asked her, and said, 'Whose daughter are you?' And she said, 'The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bore to him'; and I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her wrists. "And I bowed low and worshiped the LORD, and blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had guided me in the right way to take the daughter of my master's kinsman for his son. "So now if you are going to deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me; and if not, let me know, that I may turn to the right hand or the left."

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To be earnest in transacting their business

Genesis 24:54-56

Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank and spent the night. When they arose in the morning, he said, "Send me away to my master." But her brother and her mother said, "Let the girl stay with us a few days, say ten; afterward she may go." He said to them, "Do not delay me, since the LORD has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master."

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To be kind and attentive to their guests

Genesis 43:23-24

He said, "Be at ease, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money " Then he brought Simeon out to them. Then the man brought the men into Joseph's house and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their donkeys fodder.

Servants » Good--exemplified » jacob

Genesis 31:36-40

Then Jacob became angry and contended with Laban; and Jacob said to Laban, "What is my transgression? What is my sin that you have hotly pursued me? "Though you have felt through all my goods, what have you found of all your household goods? Set it here before my kinsmen and your kinsmen, that they may decide between us two. "These twenty years I have been with you; your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten the rams of your flocks. read more.
"That which was torn of beasts I did not bring to you; I bore the loss of it myself. You required it of my hand whether stolen by day or stolen by night. "Thus I was: by day the heat consumed me and the frost by night, and my sleep fled from my eyes.

Servants » Slaves or bond » Laws respecting, often violated

Jeremiah 34:8-16

The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people who were in Jerusalem to proclaim release to them: that each man should set free his male servant and each man his female servant, a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman; so that no one should keep them, a Jew his brother, in bondage. And all the officials and all the people obeyed who had entered into the covenant that each man should set free his male servant and each man his female servant, so that no one should keep them any longer in bondage; they obeyed, and set them free. read more.
But afterward they turned around and took back the male servants and the female servants whom they had set free, and brought them into subjection for male servants and for female servants. Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel, 'I made a covenant with your forefathers in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, saying, "At the end of seven years each of you shall set free his Hebrew brother who has been sold to you and has served you six years, you shall send him out free from you; but your forefathers did not obey Me or incline their ear to Me. "Although recently you had turned and done what is right in My sight, each man proclaiming release to his neighbor, and you had made a covenant before Me in the house which is called by My name. "Yet you turned and profaned My name, and each man took back his male servant and each man his female servant whom you had set free according to their desire, and you brought them into subjection to be your male servants and female servants."'

Servants » Who is not the servant of Christ

Galatians 1:6-10

I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! read more.
As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

Servants » The property of masters increased by faithful

Genesis 30:29-30

But he said to him, "You yourself know how I have served you and how your cattle have fared with me. "For you had little before I came and it has increased to a multitude, and the LORD has blessed you wherever I turned. But now, when shall I provide for my own household also?"

Servants » Bad--exemplified » Ziba

2 Samuel 16:1-4

Now when David had passed a little beyond the summit, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him with a couple of saddled donkeys, and on them were two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a jug of wine. The king said to Ziba, "Why do you have these?" And Ziba said, "The donkeys are for the king's household to ride, and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine, for whoever is faint in the wilderness to drink." Then the king said, "And where is your master's son?" And Ziba said to the king, "Behold, he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, 'Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.'" read more.
So the king said to Ziba, "Behold, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours." And Ziba said, "I prostrate myself; let me find favor in your sight, O my lord, the king!"

Servants » Slaves or bond » Persons belonging to other nations might be purchased as

Leviticus 25:44

As for your male and female slaves whom you may have—you may acquire male and female slaves from the pagan nations that are around you.

Servants » Slaves or bond » Strangers sojourning in israel might be purchased as

Leviticus 25:45

Then, too, it is out of the sons of the sojourners who live as aliens among you that you may gain acquisition, and out of their families who are with you, whom they will have produced in your land; they also may become your possession.

Servants » Slaves or bond » Maimed or injured by masters, to have their freedom

Exodus 21:26-27

"If a man strikes the eye of his male or female slave, and destroys it, he shall let him go free on account of his eye. "And if he knocks out a tooth of his male or female slave, he shall let him go free on account of his tooth.

Servants » Slaves or bond » Laws respecting the killing of

Exodus 21:20-21

"If a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod and he dies at his hand, he shall be punished. "If, however, he survives a day or two, no vengeance shall be taken; for he is his property.

Servants » Should serve » As the servants of Christ

Ephesians 6:5-6

Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.

Servants » When good » Are the servants of Christ

Servants » When patient under injury are acceptable to God

1 Peter 2:19-20

For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

Servants » Early mention of

Genesis 9:25-26

So he said, "Cursed be Canaan; A servant of servants He shall be to his brothers." He also said, "Blessed be the LORD, The God of Shem; And let Canaan be his servant.

Servants » Characteristics of wicked servants: » Will not submit to correction

Proverbs 29:19

A slave will not be instructed by words alone;
For though he understands, there will be no response.

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To sympathize with them

2 Samuel 12:18

Then it happened on the seventh day that the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Behold, while the child was still alive, we spoke to him and he did not listen to our voice. How then can we tell him that the child is dead, since he might do himself harm!”

Servants » Good--exemplified » David's servants

2 Samuel 12:18

Then it happened on the seventh day that the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Behold, while the child was still alive, we spoke to him and he did not listen to our voice. How then can we tell him that the child is dead, since he might do himself harm!”

Servants » Slaves or bond » Laws respecting marriage with female

Exodus 21:7-11

"If a man sells his daughter as a female slave, she is not to go free as the male slaves do. "If she is displeasing in the eyes of her master who designated her for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He does not have authority to sell her to a foreign people because of his unfairness to her. "If he designates her for his son, he shall deal with her according to the custom of daughters. read more.
"If he takes to himself another woman, he may not reduce her food, her clothing, or her conjugal rights. "If he will not do these three things for her, then she shall go out for nothing, without payment of money.

Servants » Slaves or bond » Custom of branding, alluded to

Servants » When good » Often advanced by master

Genesis 39:4-5

So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge. It came about that from the time he made him overseer in his house and over all that he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house on account of Joseph; thus the LORD'S blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field.

Servants » Hired » To partake of the produce of the land the sabbatical year

Leviticus 25:6

All of you shall have the sabbath products of the land for food; yourself, and your male and female slaves, and your hired man and your foreign resident, those who live as aliens with you.

Servants » Hired » Often stood in the market place waiting for employment

Matthew 20:1-3

"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. "When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. "And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the market place;

Servants » Who shall be servant to the wise of heart

Proverbs 11:29

He who troubles his own house will inherit wind,
And the foolish will be servant to the wisehearted.

Servants » Whose servants are wicked

Proverbs 29:12

If a ruler pays attention to falsehood,
All his ministers become wicked.

Servants » Who are the servants of corruption

2 Peter 2:1-19

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. read more.
For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter; and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties, whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord. But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed, suffering wrong as the wages of doing wrong They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, as they carouse with you, having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children; forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he received a rebuke for his own transgression, for a mute donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet. These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.

Servants » Characteristics of wicked servants: » Unmerciful to their fellows

Matthew 18:30

But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed.

Servants » Characteristics of wicked servants: » Gluttony, &c

Matthew 24:49

and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards;

Servants » Characteristics of wicked servants: » Shall be punished

Matthew 24:50

the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know,

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To prefer their business to their own necessary food

Genesis 24:33

But when food was set before him to eat, he said, “I will not eat until I have told my business.” And he said, “Speak on.”

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To revere them the more, when they are believers

1 Timothy 6:2

Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and preach these principles.

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To pray for them

Genesis 24:12

He said, “O Lord, the God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today, and show lovingkindness to my master Abraham.

Servants » Good--exemplified » Onesimus after his conversion

Philemon 1:11

who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.

Servants » Good--exemplified » Captive maid

2 Kings 5:2-4

Now the Arameans had gone out in bands and had taken captive a little girl from the land of Israel; and she waited on Naaman's wife. She said to her mistress, "I wish that my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would cure him of his leprosy." Naaman went in and told his master, saying, "Thus and thus spoke the girl who is from the land of Israel."

Servants » Bad--exemplified » Onesimus before his conversion

Philemon 1:11

who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.

Servants » Bad--exemplified » Servants of abimelech

Genesis 21:25

But Abraham complained to Abimelech because of the well of water which the servants of Abimelech had seized.

Servants » Bad--exemplified » Servants of amon

2 Kings 21:23

The servants of Amon conspired against him and killed the king in his own house.

Servants » Bad--exemplified » Jeroboam

1 Kings 11:26

Then Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, Solomon’s servant, whose mother’s name was Zeruah, a widow, also rebelled against the king.

Servants » Slaves or bond » Israelites sold as, refusing their liberty, to have their ears bored to the door

Exodus 21:5-6

"But if the slave plainly says, 'I love my master, my wife and my children; I will not go out as a free man,' then his master shall bring him to God, then he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him permanently.

Servants » Slaves or bond » Could not when set free demand wives or children procured during servitude

Exodus 21:3-4

"If he comes alone, he shall go out alone; if he is the husband of a wife, then his wife shall go out with him. "If his master gives him a wife, and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall belong to her master, and he shall go out alone.

Servants » Should serve » As doing the will of God from the heart

Servants » Should serve » With good will

Servants » When good » Are brethren beloved in the lord

Philemon 1:16

no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Servants » When good » Are blessed by God

Servants » Should be compassionate to their fellows

Matthew 18:33

Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’

Servants » Characteristics of wicked servants: » Covetousness

2 Kings 5:20

But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, thought, “Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Aramean, by not receiving from his hands what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and take something from him.”

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To be subject to them

1 Peter 2:18

Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.

Servants » Good--exemplified » Servants of naaman

2 Kings 5:13

Then his servants came near and spoke to him and said, “My father, had the prophet told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?”

Servants » Bad--exemplified » Servants of shimei

1 Kings 2:39

But it came about at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away to Achish son of Maacah, king of Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, “Behold, your servants are in Gath.”

Servants » Bad--exemplified » Gehazi

2 Kings 5:20

But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, thought, “Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Aramean, by not receiving from his hands what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and take something from him.”

Servants » Bad--exemplified » Zimri

1 Kings 16:9

His servant Zimri, commander of half his chariots, conspired against him. Now he was at Tirzah drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza, who was over the household at Tirzah.

Servants » Slaves or bond » Masters to be recompensed for injury done to

Exodus 21:32

If the ox gores a male or female slave, the owner shall give his or her master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.

Servants » Slaves or bond » To be allowed to rest on the sabbath

Exodus 20:10

but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you.

Servants » Should serve » For conscience towards God

1 Peter 2:19

For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.

Servants » When good » Are mourned over after death

Genesis 35:8

Now Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died, and she was buried below Bethel under the oak; it was named Allon-bacuth.

Servants » When good » Are protected by God

Servants » When good » Are prospered by God

Genesis 39:3

Now his master saw that the Lord was with him and how the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hand.

Servants » Hired » Engaged by the day

Matthew 20:2

When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard.

Servants » Should follow Christ's example

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To attend to their call

Psalm 123:2

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master,
As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
So our eyes look to the Lord our God,
Until He is gracious to us.

Servants » Good--exemplified » Servants of centurion

Matthew 8:9

For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”

Servants » Slaves or bond » Thieves unable to make restitution were sold as

Exodus 22:3

But if the sun has risen on him, there will be bloodguiltiness on his account. He shall surely make restitution; if he owns nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.

Servants » Characteristics of wicked servants: » Stealing

Titus 2:10

not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.

Servants » Duties of, to masters » Not to defraud them

Titus 2:10

not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.

Servants » When good » Adorn the doctrine of God their saviour in all things

Titus 2:10

not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.

Servants » Hired » Often will fed and taken care of

Luke 15:17

But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger!

Servants » Are inferior to their masters

Luke 22:27

For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To please them well in all things

Titus 2:9

Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,

Servants » Duties of, to masters » Not to answer them rudely

Titus 2:9

Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,

Servants » Good--exemplified » Servants of cornelius

Acts 10:7

When the angel who was speaking to him had left, he summoned two of his servants and a devout soldier of those who were his personal attendants,

Servants » Bad--exemplified » Job's servants

Job 19:16

“I call to my servant, but he does not answer;
I have to implore him with my mouth.

Servants » Hired » To be esteemed worthy of their hire

Servants » Good--exemplified » Servants of boaz

Ruth 2:4

Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem and said to the reapers, “May the Lord be with you.” And they said to him, “May the Lord bless you.”

Servants » Hired » Anxiety of, for the end of their daily toil, alluded to

Job 7:2

“As a slave who pants for the shade,
And as a hired man who eagerly waits for his wages,

Topics on Servants

Examples Of Bad Servants

2 Samuel 16:1-4

Now when David had passed a little beyond the summit, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him with a couple of saddled donkeys, and on them were two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a jug of wine.

Fire From God's Servants

Genesis 3:24

So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.

Servants Of People

Psalm 123:2

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master,
As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
So our eyes look to the Lord our God,
Until He is gracious to us.

Servants, Good

1 Kings 11:28

Now the man Jeroboam was a valiant warrior, and when Solomon saw that the young man was industrious, he appointed him over all the forced labor of the house of Joseph.

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