Paul, a Doulos of Jesus Christ
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There is a unique story in Exodus 21:2-6
about the process of a person choosing to become a servant/slave… for life!
Before
we get into this discussion let’s get something very clear - slavery depicted
in the Bible is drastically different from the type of slavery that is on most
people’s minds. Slaves in our times and
in our most recent history are people who were tricked or forced into
work and generally receive no pay and had no right to refuse to work. This type of slavery is condemned in Exodus 21:16.
Whoever
kidnaps someone, either to sell him or to keep him as a slave, is to be put
to death. (Ex. 21:16 GNB)
This
verse makes it very clear that the type of slavery that a lot of people of
different races and of different countries have been subjected to is condemned
by the Bible. As a Christian, I am so sorry
if there is this type of slavery in your family history. I know that a lot of Christian people throughout
history have worked hard to try and help stop this type of abuse against
humanity. It is absolutely horrible that
forced slavery still exists in this sinful world and some people actually think
that God approves of it. He does NOT and
the Bible makes this very clear!
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One
of the few types of servanthood that God did allow was actually
established to help someone out of poverty.
Being someone’s servant would allow him to have his needs provided for
and give him a chance to work off his debt and get back on his feet. This type of servant/slave was NOT forced
to be in this position and this arrangement could only last six
years. On the seventh year (the
Sabbatical year) – the person was to be set free, regardless of whether his debt
was completely paid off or not! There is
a good explanation of this issue on the website “compelling truth.org”.
Now
that we have made sure that we are talking about a person who is willingly choosing
to be put in this position and not forced – let’s take another look at our
story. Please check out Exodus 21 and verse
2 and verse 6.
Give the
Israelites the following laws: If you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve you
for six years. In the seventh year, he is to be set free without having to pay
anything.
But if the
slave declares that he loves his master, his wife,
and his children and does not want to be set free, then his master shall take
him to the place of worship. There he is to make him stand against the door or
the doorpost and put a hole through his ear. Then he will be his slave for
life.
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The first type of
servant mentioned in this passage is the Hebrew word ebed which
refers to someone who has become an indentured servant for financial reasons,
or for any reason that he has willingly chosen to submit himself to someone else
for a period of time. If during this
time, the person has come to love his master and wants to work for his master
permanently – then the Hebrew word changes to abad, and the person is
taken to a post and a hole is put in their ear to show everyone around them
that they have willingly put themselves into the position of a bondservant… for
the rest of their lives! This is an incredible
story. Can you imagine someone working
for a master and deciding that they love the position so much – that they are
willing to sign their life away for this Master's for the rest of their
lives! Incredible.
In the New Testament
– Paul refers to himself in a number of different ways and with a number of
titles. When he is trying to give the
believers that he is writing some correction and direction he will often
refer to himself as an Apostle, but sometimes he refers to himself using the Greek
word Doulos. In Romans 1:1
“From Paul, a servant (doulos) of Christ Jesus an apostle, chosen and called by
God to preach his Good News.” (GNB) In Philippians 1:1 “From Paul and Timothy,
servants (Doulos) of Christ Jesus.” (GNB) In Titus 1:1 “From Paul, a servant
(doulos) of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. (GNB) The Greek word doulos is
defined as: “subjection without bondage.” “Someone who belongs to another,
without any ownership rights of their own”.
It is used with the highest dignity in the New Testament to describe
believers who willingly live under Christ’s authority as His devoted followers. It is interesting how Paul refers to himself
as a doulos, before referring to himself as an Apostle.
From what I
understand – the Greek Word doulos is from this Hebrew story from “ebed
to abad”. Paul is using this
wonderful expression to say that he is voluntarily submitting to the will of
Christ as a perpetual indentured servant for the rest of his life. He is saying that he loves Jesus so much that he is willing to become his bondslave for the rest of his life. This is a great example for us all. Have you willingly submitted to Christ? Have you learned enough about the nature of
the Lord and His love to be willing to call yourself a doulos for Him?
Written by Lee Malden 2022
For more information: email lmalden@hotmail.com
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