SERVANT - 20 Amazing Bible Words To Know: (DOULOS) Part 1

SERVANT - 20 Amazing Bible Words To Know: (DOULOS) Part 1

There is something about the people who are living out the commands of Jesus. They stand out in a special way. They are different from the rest of us because they have servants' hearts. They have the ability to put the needs of others above their own and to help people when they need it. Not everyone is good at that. It is human nature to worry about ourselves first.

The writers of the New Testament called a servant a “doulos”. Jesus used that word often to describe a special kind of person in a special kind of relationship. A doulos was subservient in some way to another. It’s very interesting to find, in that Greek word, an inverse of the biblical principle of doing.

Jesus taught that it’s our actions that are important. The book of James tells us to be “doers of the Word, not just hearers”. Yet, there is a fascinating story when we look at “doulos” by the numbers of the Bible.

The New Testament writers used “doulos” as a verb 25 times. That means the Bible wants us to do it. Serve. It is an action that we should partake in.

Galatians 5:13 tells us to serve one another. 2 Corinthians 11:8 shows us that some churches served other churches. Colossians 3:24 proclaims that we serve Christ. It is used as a verb about 2 dozen times.

But, far and away, the most common use of “doulos” in the New Testament looks like this: “servant.” That happens an astounding 148 times.

That’s a noun, not a verb. The implications are absolutely world-changing. The Bible is telling you this: it’s more important to think of yourself as a servant than to actually serve.

Now, that can’t be right, can it? That sounds like the complete opposite of what Jesus taught. Well, you will understand the importance of that when we look at the facts, tomorrow.

Matthew 20:27

“and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your servant.”