Topics

Servants

Scripture portrays servanthood as both a practical reality and a spiritual posture reflecting Christ's humility and devotion to God's purposes. The Bible teaches that faithful service, whether in employment or spiritual calling, is rendered ultimately to the Lord.

Overview

The Bible addresses servanthood in both practical and spiritual contexts. Servants in Scripture ranged from household workers to those in covenant servitude under Old Testament law. Throughout Scripture, faithful service is presented as honorable work done with diligence and integrity, reflecting one's service to God Himself (Colossians 3:23).

Key Scriptures

"Jesus said to them, 'It is the master who is to be served. But I am among you as one who serves'" (Luke 22:27, ESV).

"Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ" (Ephesians 6:5, ESV).

"Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust" (1 Peter 2:18, ESV).

Application

Believers should approach their work and service with excellence and faithfulness, recognizing that all honest labor done with integrity is ultimately service rendered to the Lord.

Scripture References 40

2 Samuel 13:28 2 Samuel 13:29 2 Samuel 14:30 Titus 2:10 Leviticus 25:10 Leviticus 25:40 Leviticus 25:41 Leviticus 25:54 Job 7:2 Matthew 24:46 Philemon 1:16 Genesis 24:7 Genesis 24:27 Luke 22:27 Genesis 35:8 1 Corinthians 12:13 Galatians 3:28 Ephesians 6:8 Colossians 3:11 Genesis 39:3 Genesis 31:7 1 Corinthians 7:22 Colossians 3:24 Ephesians 6:6 Ephesians 6:5 Ephesians 6:6 Genesis 43:18 Leviticus 25:46 Genesis 30:27 Genesis 30:30 Genesis 39:3 Genesis 14:14 Psalms 116:16 Jeremiah 2:14 Genesis 17:27 Genesis 37:36 Genesis 43:18 Genesis 44:9 Job 7:1 John 10:12

Full Topical Reference List 361 total — Nave's Topical Bible

Absalom's servants [Absalom's servants obeyed a bad master; they were bad men rather than bad servants]

2 Samuel 13:28 2 Samuel 13:29 2 Samuel 14:30

Adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour in all things

Titus 2:10

All Israelites sold as, to be free at the jubilee

Leviticus 25:10 Leviticus 25:40 Leviticus 25:41 Leviticus 25:54

Anxiety of, for the end of their daily toil, alluded to

Job 7:2

Are blessed by God

Matthew 24:46

Are brethren beloved in the Lord

Philemon 1:16

Are guided by God

Genesis 24:7 Genesis 24:27

Are inferior to their masters

Luke 22:27

Are mourned over after death

Genesis 35:8

Are partakers of gospel privileges

1 Corinthians 12:13 Colossians 3:11 Ephesians 6:8 Galatians 3:28

Are prospered by God

Genesis 39:3

Are protected by God

Genesis 31:7

Are the Lord's freemen

1 Corinthians 7:22

Are the servants of Christ

Colossians 3:24

As doing the will of God from the heart

Ephesians 6:6

As the servants of Christ

Ephesians 6:5 Ephesians 6:6

Bond

Genesis 43:18 Leviticus 25:46

Bring God's blessing upon their masters

Genesis 30:27 Genesis 30:30 Genesis 39:3

By birth

Genesis 14:14 Jeremiah 2:14 Psalms 116:16

By purchase

Genesis 17:27 Genesis 37:36

Called bondmen

Genesis 43:18 Genesis 44:9

Called hireling

Job 7:1 John 10:12 John 10:13

Captive maid

2 Kings 5:2 2 Kings 5:3 2 Kings 5:4

Captives taken in war often kept as

2 Kings 5:2 Deuteronomy 20:14

Christ condescended to the office of

John 13:5 Luke 22:27 Matthew 20:28 Philippians 2:7

Could not when set free demand wives or children procured during servitude

Exodus 21:3 Exodus 21:4

Covetousness

2 Kings 5:20

Custom of branding, alluded to

David's servants

Deborah

Genesis 24:59 Genesis 35:8

Deceit

2 Samuel 19:26 Psalms 101:6 Psalms 101:7

Deserve the confidence of their masters

Genesis 24:2 Genesis 24:4 Genesis 24:10 Genesis 39:4

Do not bear to be exalted

Isaiah 3:5 Proverbs 30:21 Proverbs 30:22

Early mention of

Genesis 9:25 Genesis 9:26

Eliezer

Genesis 24:1 Genesis 24:2 Genesis 24:3 Genesis 24:4 Genesis 24:5 Genesis 24:6 Genesis 24:7 Genesis 24:8 Genesis 24:9 Genesis 24:10 Genesis 24:11 Genesis 24:12 Genesis 24:13 Genesis 24:14 Genesis 24:15 Genesis 24:16 Genesis 24:17 Genesis 24:18 Genesis 24:19 Genesis 24:20 Genesis 24:21 Genesis 24:22 Genesis 24:23 Genesis 24:24 Genesis 24:25 Genesis 24:26 Genesis 24:27 Genesis 24:28 Genesis 24:29 Genesis 24:30 Genesis 24:31 Genesis 24:32 Genesis 24:33 Genesis 24:34 Genesis 24:35 Genesis 24:36 Genesis 24:37 Genesis 24:38 Genesis 24:39 Genesis 24:40 Genesis 24:41 Genesis 24:42 Genesis 24:43 Genesis 24:44 Genesis 24:45 Genesis 24:46 Genesis 24:47 Genesis 24:48 Genesis 24:49 Genesis 24:50

Engaged by the day

Matthew 20:2

Engaged by the year

Isaiah 16:14 Leviticus 25:53

Engaged in the most menial offices

1 Samuel 25:41 John 13:4 John 13:5

Eye-service

Colossians 3:22 Ephesians 6:6

Female

Genesis 16:6 Genesis 32:5

For conscience towards God

1 Peter 2:19

Gehazi

2 Kings 5:20

Gluttony

Matthew 24:49

Have God with them

Acts 7:9 Acts 7:10 Genesis 31:42 Genesis 39:21

Heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men

Colossians 3:23 Ephesians 6:7

Hebrew slaves serving strangers to be treated as

Leviticus 25:47 Leviticus 25:53

Hebrew slaves serving their brethren to be treated as

Leviticus 25:39 Leviticus 25:40

Hired

Luke 15:17 Mark 1:20

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

Exodus 12:45 Leviticus 22:10

In singleness of heart

Colossians 3:22 Ephesians 6:5

In the fear of God

Colossians 3:22 Ephesians 6:5

Israelites sold as, refusing their liberty, to have their ears bored to the door

Deuteronomy 15:16 Deuteronomy 15:17 Exodus 21:5 Exodus 21:6

Israelites sold to strangers as, might be redeemed by their nearest of kin

Leviticus 25:47 Leviticus 25:48 Leviticus 25:49 Leviticus 25:50 Leviticus 25:51 Leviticus 25:52 Leviticus 25:53 Leviticus 25:54 Leviticus 25:55

Jacob

Genesis 31:36 Genesis 31:37 Genesis 31:38 Genesis 31:39 Genesis 31:40

Jeroboam

1 Kings 11:26

Job's servants

Job 19:16

Jonathan's armour bearer

1 Samuel 14:6 1 Samuel 14:7

Joseph

Acts 7:10 Genesis 39:3

Laws respecting marriage with female

Exodus 21:7 Exodus 21:8 Exodus 21:9 Exodus 21:10 Exodus 21:11

Laws respecting the killing of

Exodus 21:20 Exodus 21:21

Laws respecting, often violated

Jeremiah 34:8 Jeremiah 34:9 Jeremiah 34:10 Jeremiah 34:11 Jeremiah 34:12 Jeremiah 34:13 Jeremiah 34:14 Jeremiah 34:15 Jeremiah 34:16

Lying

2 Kings 5:22 2 Kings 5:24

Maimed of injured by masters to have their freedom

Exodus 21:26 Exodus 21:27

Male

Genesis 24:34 Genesis 32:5

Masters to be recompensed for injury done to

Exodus 21:32

Men-pleasers

Colossians 3:22 Ephesians 6:6

More valuable than hired servants

Deuteronomy 15:18

Not to answer them rudely

Titus 2:9

Not to be oppressed

Deuteronomy 24:14

Not to defraud them

Titus 2:10

Not to serve them with eye-service, as men-pleasers

Colossians 3:22 Ephesians 6:6

Of Christ

Hebrews 10:5 Philippians 2:7 Philippians 2:8 Psalms 40:6

Of others not to be coveted or enticed away

Deuteronomy 5:21 Exodus 20:17

Of saints

1 Corinthians 6:20 1 Corinthians 7:23

Of the wicked

2 Peter 2:19 Romans 6:16 Romans 6:19

Often advanced by master

Genesis 39:4 Genesis 39:5

Often exalted

Genesis 41:40 Proverbs 17:2

Often oppressed and their wages kept back

James 5:4 Malachi 3:5

Often stood in the market place waiting for employment

Matthew 20:1 Matthew 20:2 Matthew 20:3

Often will fed and taken care of

Luke 15:17

Onesimus after his conversion

Philemon 1:11

Onesimus before his conversion

Philemon 1:11

Persons belonging to other nations might be purchased as

Leviticus 25:44

Persons devoted to God so called

Isaiah 56:6 Psalms 119:49 Romans 1:1

Persons devoted to the service of another so called

Isaiah 56:6 Psalms 119:49

Persons of distinction had many

Ecclesiastes 2:7 Genesis 14:14

Persons of low condition so called

Ecclesiastes 10:7

Persons unable to pay their debts liable to be sold as

2 Kings 4:1 Matthew 18:25 Nehemiah 5:4 Nehemiah 5:5

Quarrelsomeness

Genesis 13:7 Genesis 26:20

Seeking protection not to be delivered up to masters

Deuteronomy 23:15

Seizing and stealing of men for, condemned and punished by the law

1 Timothy 1:10 Deuteronomy 24:7 Exodus 21:16

Servants of Abimelech

Genesis 21:25

Servants of Abraham and Lot

Genesis 13:7

Servants of Amon

2 Kings 21:23

Servants of Boaz

Ruth 2:4

Servants of Centurion

Matthew 8:9

Servants of Cornelius

Acts 10:7

Servants of Naaman

2 Kings 5:13

Servants of Shimei

1 Kings 2:39

Servants of the High Priest

Mark 14:65

Shall be punished

Matthew 24:50

Shall be rewarded

Colossians 3:24 Ephesians 6:8

Should be compassionate to their fellows

Matthew 18:33

Should be contented in their situation

1 Corinthians 7:20 1 Corinthians 7:21

Should follow Christ's example

1 Peter 2:21

Sometimes intermarried with their master's family

1 Chronicles 2:34 1 Chronicles 2:35

Sometimes rose to rank and station

Ecclesiastes 10:7

Stealing

Titus 2:10

Strangers sojourning in Israel might be purchased as

Leviticus 25:45

The property of masters increased by faithful

Genesis 30:29 Genesis 30:30

The subjects of a prince or king so called

Exodus 9:20 Exodus 11:8

The term often used to express humility

1 Kings 20:32 1 Samuel 20:7 Genesis 18:3 Genesis 33:5

Thieves unable to make restitution were sold as

Exodus 22:3

To attend to their call

Psalms 123:2

To be allowed to rest on the Sabbath

Exodus 20:10

To be anxious for their welfare

1 Samuel 25:14 1 Samuel 25:15 1 Samuel 25:16 1 Samuel 25:17 2 Kings 5:2 2 Kings 5:3

To be earnest in transacting their business

Genesis 24:54 Genesis 24:55 Genesis 24:56

To be esteemed worthy of their hire

Luke 10:7

To be faithful to them

1 Corinthians 4:2 Luke 16:10 Luke 16:11 Luke 16:12 Titus 2:10

To be furnished liberally, when their servitude expired

Deuteronomy 15:13 Deuteronomy 15:14

To be honoured

Genesis 24:31 Proverbs 27:18

To be industrious in labouring for them

Nehemiah 4:16 Nehemiah 4:23

To be kind and attentive to their guests

Genesis 43:23 Genesis 43:24

To be paid without delay at the expiration of their service

Deuteronomy 24:15 Leviticus 19:13

To be profitable to them

Luke 19:15 Luke 19:16 Luke 19:18 Philemon 1:11

To be prudent in the management of their affairs

Genesis 24:34 Genesis 24:35 Genesis 24:36 Genesis 24:37 Genesis 24:38 Genesis 24:39 Genesis 24:40 Genesis 24:41 Genesis 24:42 Genesis 24:43 Genesis 24:44 Genesis 24:45 Genesis 24:46 Genesis 24:47 Genesis 24:48 Genesis 24:49

To be subject to them

1 Peter 2:18

To be submissive even to the froward

1 Peter 2:18 Genesis 16:6 Genesis 16:9

To bless God for mercies shown to them

Genesis 24:27 Genesis 24:48

To honour them

1 Timothy 6:1 Malachi 1:6

To obey them

Ephesians 6:5 Titus 2:9

To partake of the produce of the land in the sabbatical year

To participate in all national rejoicings

Deuteronomy 12:18 Deuteronomy 16:11 Deuteronomy 16:14

To please them well in all things

Titus 2:9

To pray for them

Genesis 24:12

To prefer their business to their own necessary food

Genesis 24:33

To revere them the more, when they are believers

1 Timothy 6:2

To sympathise with them

Unmerciful to their fellows

Matthew 18:30

When foreigners to be circumcised

Exodus 12:44 Genesis 17:13 Genesis 17:27

When Israelites not to be treated with rigour

Leviticus 25:39 Leviticus 25:40 Leviticus 25:46

When Israelites to have their liberty after six years service

Deuteronomy 15:12 Exodus 21:2

When patient under injury are acceptable to God

1 Peter 2:19 1 Peter 2:20

Will not submit to correction

With good will

Ephesians 6:7

Ziba

2 Samuel 16:1 2 Samuel 16:2 2 Samuel 16:3 2 Samuel 16:4

Zimri

1 Kings 16:9

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