What does the Bible say about servant?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that true greatness is found in humble, willing service to God and to others, following the example of Jesus Christ, who came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. Philippians 2:5-7 calls believers to Christlike humility, while Mark 10:45 and Luke 22:26 show that His kingdom reverses worldly ideas of status. Christians are freed through the gospel to serve one another in love, as Galatians 5:13 teaches, not to earn God’s favor but in grateful obedience. Those who serve Christ faithfully are honored by the Father, and their labor should be marked by zeal, humility, and devotion.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Philippians 2:5-7
[5] Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, [6] who, existing in the form of God, didn't consider it robbery to be equal with God, [7] but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.
- Luke 22:26
But not so with you. But one who is the greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves.
- Mark 10:45
For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
- Galatians 5:13
For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don't use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.
- Mark 9:35
He sat down, and called the twelve; and he said to them, "If any man wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all."
- Matthew 23:11-12
[11] But he who is greatest among you will be your servant. [12] Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
- Isaiah 61:1-2
[1] The Spirit of the Lord Yahweh is on me; because Yahweh has anointed me to preach good news to the humble; he has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening [of the prison] to those who are bound; [2] to proclaim the year of Yahweh's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;
- Matthew 20:26
It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.
- John 12:26
If anyone serves me, let him follow me. Where I am, there will my servant also be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
- Romans 12:11
not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- Distinguish a bondservant (Greek: doulos), who was a slave, from a hired servant (Greek: diakonos), who was not a slave
- BOND
- Laws of Moses concerning Exodus 21:1-11; Exodus 21:20; Exodus 21:21; Exodus 21:26; Exodus 21:27; Exodus 21:32; Leviticus 19:20-22; Leviticus 25:6; Leviticus 25:10; Leviticus 25:35-55; Deuteronomy 15:12; Deuteronomy 15:14
- Kidnapping forbidden Deuteronomy 21:10-14; Deuteronomy 24:7; 1 Timothy 1:10; Revelation 18:13
- Fugitive, not to be returned to his master Deuteronomy 23:15; Deuteronomy 23:16
- David erroneously supposed to be a fugitive slave 1 Samuel 25:10
- Instances of fugitive
- Hagar, commanded by an angel to return to Sarah (Sarai), her owner Genesis 16:9
- Sought by Shimei 1 Kings 2:39-41
- Onesimus interceded for, by Paul Philemon 1:21
- Rights of those born to a master Genesis 14:14; Genesis 17:13; Genesis 17:27; Exodus 21:4; Proverbs 29:21; Ecclesiastes 2:7; Jeremiah 2:14
- Bought and sold Genesis 17:13; Genesis 17:27; Genesis 37:28; Genesis 37:36; Genesis 39:17; Deuteronomy 28:68; Esther 7:4; Ezekiel 27:13; Joel 3:6; Amos 8:6; Revelation 18:13
- Captives of war became slaves Deuteronomy 20:14; Deuteronomy 21:10-14; 2 Kings 5:2; 2 Chronicles 28:8; 2 Chronicles 28:10; Lamentations 5:13
- Captive bondservants shared by priests and Levites Numbers 31:28-47
- Thieves punished by being made Genesis 43:18; Exodus 22:3
- Defaulting debtors made Leviticus 25:39; Matthew 18:25
- Children of defaulting debtors sold as 2 Kings 4:1-7
- Voluntary servitude of Leviticus 25:47; Deuteronomy 15:16; Deuteronomy 15:17; Joshua 9:11-21
- Given as dowry Genesis 29:24; Genesis 29:29
- Owned by priests Leviticus 22:11; Mark 14:66
- Slaves owned slaves 2 Samuel 9:10
- The master could marry, or give in marriage Exodus 21:7-10; Deuteronomy 21:10-14; 1 Chronicles 2:34; 1 Chronicles 2:35
- Taken in concubinage Genesis 16:1; Genesis 16:2; Genesis 16:6; Genesis 30:3; Genesis 30:9
- Used as soldiers by Abraham Genesis 14:14
- Must be circumcised Genesis 17:13; Genesis 17:27; Exodus 12:44
- Must enjoy religious privileges with the master’ s household Deuteronomy 12:12; Deuteronomy 12:18; Deuteronomy 16:11; Deuteronomy 16:14; Deuteronomy 29:10; Deuteronomy 29:11
- Must have rest on the sabbath Exodus 20:10; Exodus 23:12; Deuteronomy 5:14
- Equal status of, with other disciples of Jesus 1 Corinthians 7:21; 1 Corinthians 7:22; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 6:8
- Kindness to, commanded Leviticus 25:43; Ephesians 6:9
- Bond service threatened, as a national punishment, for the disobedience of Israel Deuteronomy 28:68; Joel 3:7; Joel 3:8
- Degrading influences of bondage exemplified by cowardice Exodus 14:11; Exodus 14:12; Exodus 16:3; Judges 5:16-18; Judges 5:23
- Emancipation of Ezra 1:1-4; Jeremiah 34:8-22; 1 Corinthians 7:21
- Freedmen called “Libertines,” Acts 6:9
- Cruelty to
- The Israelites Exodus 1:8-22; Exodus 2:1-4; Acts 7:19; Acts 7:34
- An abandoned sick man 1 Samuel 30:13
- Kindness to
- By the Roman centurion Matthew 8:8-13; Luke 7:2-10
- By Paul Philemon 1:21
- INSTANCES OF
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