Doulos Or Bond Servant To.god Series

SERMON MANUSCRIPT

Title:

“SERMON MANUSCRIPT

Title:

“Doulos: Called to Serve as Slaves—or Bond-Servant of God”

Main Texts:

Exodus 21:5–6

Romans 1:1

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I. INTRODUCTION (Approx. 5–7 minutes)

A. Opening Illustration/Hook

Good morning, church family! I want to begin today by asking a question: Have you ever met someone who was so dedicated—so committed—to a person or cause that they were willing to give up personal rights and freedoms for its sake? We hear stories of athletes who train every waking hour, or scientists who forego personal leisure to pursue a breakthrough. But what if I told you the Bible invites us into a relationship with God that requires an even deeper commitment—one so complete that the Scriptures use a word that often translates as “slave”?

The word I’m referring to is the Greek term doulos often rendered as “bond-servant” or “slave.” For many, the very mention of “slave” triggers discomfort. Our modern history, especially in the West, is marred by racial chattel slavery, a horrific institution. So how should we feel about applying the word “slave” to our relationship with God or Christ? Is it contradictory for the Bible—filled with messages of love, grace, and freedom—to use a word that suggests total subjection?

B. Purpose and Scope

Today, we will explore what the Bible means by doulos, and why believers should actually embrace, rather than avoid, this identity. We’ll look at two key passages: one from the Old Testament—Exodus 21, where the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures) uses forms of doulos to describe a servant who voluntarily commits for life—and one from the New Testament—Romans 1:1, where Paul calls himself a doulos of Christ Jesus. Through these Scriptures, we will uncover:

1. The meaning and nuances of the word doulos.

2. The theological truth behind being “bond-servants” or “slaves” to the Lord.

3. The practical implications for how we live our daily lives in absolute submission to Jesus.

C. Transition

Let’s begin by looking at the origin and core definition of doulos. Then we will move straight into the Exodus passage, see how it was applied in ancient Israel, and finally contrast that with Paul’s usage in Romans 1:1.

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II. EXPLAINING DOULOS (Approx. 5–7 minutes)

A. Literal Meaning

The Greek word doulos most literally means “slave”—someone legally owned by a master, lacking personal autonomy. In the first-century Greco-Roman world, a doulos was under complete authority of the master. That’s strong imagery! Today, we might call that “radical subjection”—giving up every right to self-determination.

B. Why “Bond-Servant” or “Servant”?

Translators sometimes render doulos as “bond-servant” to reflect situations where servitude could be voluntary or contractual, such as paying off debt. This can also avoid conjuring modern images of slavery’s worst abuses, which often differ from ancient practice. However, the reality is that in both contexts—ancient or modern—“slave” implies surrender of personal freedom. It’s not a part-time volunteer or an employee. It is a person wholly given over to the master’s will.

C. Tension in Modern Ears

Why does this matter? Some folks say, “I can accept being a servant of God, but slave? That sounds demeaning.” Scripture, however, boldly uses doulos to emphasize our relationship with Christ as one of complete submission. It’s not primarily about being exploited; it’s about belonging to a loving Master. And that’s where the biblical picture diverges from the cruel, dehumanizing forms of slavery we’ve seen in human history.

D. Key Insight

The difference often boils down to this: doulos points to a relationship with a master. When the Bible uses “bond-servant” or “slave,” it’s communicating a sense of ownership—we do not belong to ourselves, but to the One who redeemed us. And that can be good news when our Master is God Himself, the Holy and Loving One.

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III. OLD TESTAMENT EXAMPLE: EXODUS 21:5–6 (Approx. 10 minutes)

Let’s open our Bibles to Exodus 21:5–6. In the NASB, it reads:

> “But if the slave plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife and my children; I will not go out as a free man,’ then his master shall bring him to God, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him permanently.”

A. The Context of Exodus 21

1. Hebrew Servitude

Ancient Israel had laws that allowed a Hebrew person to serve another Hebrew, typically for six years to pay off a debt (Ex. 21:2). On the seventh year, they were to be set free.

This was not identical to modern slavery. There were regulations to protect the dignity of the servant.

2. The Choice to Stay

If, at the end of six years, the slave (the doulos in the Greek Septuagint) loved the master, he could choose to remain permanently.

The text says: “I love my master…I will not go out as a free man.” This is a voluntary lifetime commitment.