365bet娱乐

The concept of Servant in Christianity

In Christianity, the term Servant encompasses a variety of interpretations and roles. It refers to the followers of Jesus Christ engaged in fulfilling His teachings while also highlighting significant biblical figures, such as the one who struck Jesus or Moses, who famously speaks to God. The Servant embodies humility, as they are not above their master and are expected to replicate Christ's example of service. This concept emphasizes responsibilities, faithfulness, and the appropriate behaviors for those in positions of service within the Church and community.1
gallery thumb

Synonyms: Attendant, Helper, Assistant, Subordinate, Aide, Steward, Handmaiden, Lackey, Worker, Retainer, Housekeeper, Employee

In Malay: Hamba; In Dutch: Bediende; In Finnish: Palvelija; In Spanish: Servidor; In German: Diener; In Swedish: 罢箩盲苍补谤别; In French: Serviteur

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Christian concept of 'Servant'

Christianity Books

Significance in Early Christian church and writers:
Early Christianity Books

From: Ante-nicene Fathers

(1) The servant is a person who is not greater than his Lord, so those who follow the Lord should tread in His steps humbly and peacefully.[1] (2) The servant is the person who betrayed Polycarp, causing him to relocate and subsequently leading to his eventual capture by pursuers.[2] (3) The whole people saved is called the servant of God, in virtue of obedience to the command, not just David alone.[3] (4) These individuals are bound to respect and venerate their lord, and religion relates to them, implying a relationship based on duty and reverence toward a figure of authority.[4] (5) This is a person who is mentioned in relation to the Lord, and the text suggests drawing near to this individual.[5]

From: Gospel of Thomas Commentary

(1) This is a person who is sent by the owner of the vineyard to the husbandmen, and who is often mistreated, in the parables.[6] (2) These are the individuals who were told not to pluck up the tares, and were told that the tares would be taken away and burnt on the harvest day.[7] (3) The servant might be given the produce of the vineyard by the farmers.[8] (4) These are the individuals sent by the owner to the husbandmen to collect the fruit from the vineyard, but they were mistreated.[9]

Early Christianity (also known as Early Church) refers to the period starting roughly in the 6th century BC up until 325 A.D. during which year the first council of Nicaea was convened. Popular literature includes the writings by the early Church Fathers which forms the basis of later Christian theology.

Significance in Christianity (general):

From: Expositions of Holy Scripture

(1) This is a term referring to followers, highlighting the idea that their future is brighter than the present, and earthly life is preparation for a greater state.[10] (2) A person in service, the servant is not above their lord, and the servant's role is to imitate the master, as demonstrated in the foot-washing example, and is expected to share the master's fate.[11] (3) Those who are served and serve, which suggests ideas regarding the condition of those whom the Lord ministers to, and waits upon.[12] (4) This is what the speaker calls himself when speaking about the Gospel.[13] (5) This refers to Jesus Christ, who is contrasted with the other servants and the slaves in the text.[14]

From: The Complete Sayings of Jesus

(1) These are individuals dispatched by the king to invite people to the wedding, with some sent to call those who were originally invited.[15] (2) A person who was sick of the palsy, grievously tormented, and was healed in the selfsame hour after Jesus spoke the word.[16] (3) This is an individual who is in a position of service, and there is a comparison made between this person and the lord.[17] (4) These are individuals who are given resources or responsibilities by their master, and their actions and outcomes are central to the narrative.[18] (5) This is an individual sent by the owner of the vineyard to collect the fruit from the husbandmen, but they were mistreated.[19]

From: A Cyclopedia of Biblical literature

(1) The text describes the appropriate behaviors and qualities for those in service roles, offering guidance on how they should conduct themselves and the values they should uphold.[20] (2) These are the individuals who were protected by the law equally with their masters, and their civil and religious rights were the same, and they had the power of changing their masters.[21] (3) In some establishments, there is a supply of these individuals, as well as cooks, and a shop in the porter's house, providing additional advantages.[22]

From: A Dictionary of the Bible (Hastings)

(1) The servant is Eliezer, who proceeds to the city of Nahor to find a wife for Isaac, and loads Rebekah with gifts.[23] (2) Refers to a figure, possibly Israel or an idealized representation of it, tasked with instructing the nations in the religion of Jahweh.[24]

From: Hymns for Christian Devotion

(1) These individuals are expected to fulfill their duties, remaining attentive to divine pronouncements and vigilant at their designated stations, representing those who serve the higher power.[25]

Significance in Global Christian community:
Catholic Church Books

From: Summa Theologica (English translation)

(1) People under the power of a master, and they can only give alms with the permission of their master, similar to children and their parents.[26] (2) The text discusses the servant in terms of the law, including the penalties for harm inflicted upon them by their master, such as maiming or killing, and the implications of such actions.[27]

From: The city of God

(1) The people who obey the masters, and who are admonished by the apostle to be subject to their masters, and to serve them heartily and with good-will.[28]

From: The Little Flowers of St. Francis

(1) The individual is addressed as a servant of the heavenly King, which implies a position of service and devotion within a spiritual context.[29]

The Catholic Church is a global Christian community with over a billion members, rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is led by the Pope and emphasizes the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist. Catholicism is a denomination centered on the teachings thereof. It has a rich theological and cultural heritage.

Significance in Church of the East (or the East Syriac Church):
Church of the East Books

From: The Kebra Nagast

(1) The term refers to individuals who are not treated as such, but rather as a father and a teacher, according to the speaker.[30]

The Church of the East emerged in the 5th century and separated from the Roman Empire's state church by adopting Nestorianism. It emphasizes the distinct human and divine natures of Jesus Christ. It is also called the Assyrian Church, Nestorian Church or the East Syriac Church.

Significance in Protestantism (Christian movement emphasizing faith and scripture):
Protestantism Books

From: The Existence and Attributes of God

(1) This is a term used in the text to describe those who are under the authority of a lord or master, and who are expected to obey their commands.[31]

Protestantism (or simply the protestant church) is a major branch of Christianity originating from the Reformation in the 16th century, led by figures like Martin Luther. It emphasizes salvation by faith alone and the Bible as the ultimate authority. Variants of Protestantism include Lutheranism, Calvinism, Anglicanism, Methodism and Presbyterianism, each with unique practices but generally united by these core principles.

Plural form: Servants.