"Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ"; so Paul introduces himself to the believers in Rome. The word he uses for " servant " is in fact the word slave - doulos in the Greek. Every English translation of the New Testament puts "servant" instead of slave, but this masks the true meaning of what Paul is trying to convey here. It is important we understand that the word he uses in the original language is the word slave not servant. There are six different words for "servant" in the New Testament.
- Diakonos - from which we get deacon, and literally means a table waiter
- Oiketes - a household servant, but not necessarily a slave
- Heis - one who serves by teaching the young
- Huperetes - a galley slave, or under rower
- Leitourgos - one who serves in a religious capacity
- Misthios - a public minister either political or religious
All of the above are words for "servant" but there is only one word for "slave" - doulos which is the word used here. Perhaps the reason why the translators changed this to servant was because of the historical revulsion of the word slave, yet this is the word Paul uses. Personal dignity was attached to a person's freedom but a slave had none.
A slave had no ownership of anything, had no legal rights, had no merit placed on their opinions, they were dependent on those who owned them. Slaves were scorned and despised, yet in Phillippians Ch 1 v 1 Paul & Timothy are slaves. In 2 Peter Ch 1 v 1 Peter is a slave. In Colossians Ch 1 v 7 Epaphras is a slave, the apostles James & Jude called themselves slaves. The greatest example of humility in history, the Lord Jesus Christ was said to have taken the form of a slave in Phillippians Ch 2. In human experience the term "slavery" is a bad word, yet these pillars of the church including the blessed Lord Himself (whilst here) were happy to take upon themselves the title.
The New Testament does not condone, nor does it condemn slavery. Indeed the New Testament reveals that the real slavery is not to be understood in terms of economics or material possessions. Jesus himself stated that the real slavery is slavery to sin which affects all human beings when he said in John Ch 8 v 34 "Whosover commiteth sin is the slave of sin". Material slavery is but one of the consequences of spiritual slavery, and Jesus came to deal with the root, and not only the fruit of sin, which enslaves every human being. The only true release from such slavery, from the sin that dominates our lives is to give lordship of our lives to Jesus Christ. There is no other way, either sin dominates us or God does through Jesus Christ.
Paul therefore describes himself as a slave of Jesus Christ and is thus saying that whereas before all his being was in the service of sin I am now in the service of Jesus Christ.
ALL MY TIME, ALL MY TALENTS, ALL MY ENERGIES, ALL MY POSSESSIONS ARE NOW HIS.
Slavery to sin is the greatest drudgery on earth and only ever leads to decay and finally death.
Slavery to Jesus Christ is the greatest joy on earth and leads to eternal life.
"Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest, take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is easy, my burden is light." Matthew Ch 11 verses 28 - 30.
Tomorrow we will discuss Paul's high calling.
No comments:
Post a Comment