What is The Difference Between a Servant and a Bondservant ?

Dusty

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What is The Difference Between a Servant and a Bondservant ?

I was reading in the NKJ and in 2 Peter 1 : 1 it says Simon Peter ; a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ. Does it mean one and the same ?

Colossians 4:12
12Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
Titus 1

1Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness—

James 1

1James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
Greetings.

2 Peter 1

1Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:

2 Peter 1

1Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:

Corinthians 4:5
5For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.
Ephesians 6:6

6Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.


Philippians 1

1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:


1 Peter 2:16
16Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.
 
Ok , I did some research.

Bondservant is more the just a servant, like today when one get’s bonded there is a need to be without a past in crime, the past needs to be honorable and free of anything that puts a stain on the person. Many servants just sold them self’s into service because of a criminal past and needed to pay off there debt. Also the slave could be sold to others because the owner felt they were unworthy for there home.

A bond servant was honorable trust worthy and the master loved the servant, if you remember the servant in the bringing of the old test. The servant became a bondservant when he had his ear pierced at the door post meaning that the evidence was there every time he walked through the door it was a choice he made for life to remain all of his life in service to his master. The master would except him as a bondservant and love him and give the servant a good home food and a place for life.

A total commitment, no turning back, no choice in turning back, it was for life. Times changed and in the new test. We see the word servant and it can have the same effect if the servant has the heart of a bond servant (it is forever)…


So in essence if we are a bondservant to Christ that is the highest honour we can pay and we will be totallly committed and devoted to Him for life.
 
Indeed a bond servant is one who debt is paid but loves his Master and wishes to serve Him always. The Master would take an awl an pierce His servants earlobe through to the doorpost of His house and this would be a covenant between them. Below is a link to a great artcile on this subject:

A Bondservant? Bondservant
 
a bond servant in the most literal sense is a slave. they are different, though, in that they became a slave willingly instead of being forced into it. generally its when a servant of someone likes them so much that they want to stay with them for the rest of their life. they commit their lives into slavery to that person and signify it with piercing their ear.
 
I was reading in the NKJ and in 2 Peter 1 : 1 it says Simon Peter ; a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ. Does it mean one and the same ?

Your NKJ is wrong to make a distinction where there is none. All those verses should say "bondservant."

A bondservant isn't a slave, but it is someone who is obligated to serve.

A non-bonded servant is someone who serves, but is free to stop at anytime.
 
After looking over about twenty translations the majority are translated servant (including the 1611 King Jimmy) and slave comes in a distant second.
 
practical definition

There have been servants, slaves, and bondservants in many cultures through history.

In general--
1. a servant is a hireling, may come and go as the servant desires, is paid a wage
2. a slave is property, may not leave unless freed by the owner, is not paid (unless the owner is generous, see Greek histories)
3. a bondservant may not leave (usually), may or may not be paid, but has much greater authority and responsibilty, in some cultures a bondservant is bound more to the family or household than to a particular master ( see "huscarl", more the Norse notion and less the Anglo-Saxon one)
 
Well wait a minute now. That definition is not accurate.

In Lev. the "bondservant" example is used. Look up 5650- in the Hebrew translation. Here is the actual meaning of it-

ebed- 5650- Hebrew-

"servant, slave, attendant, indentured servants and owned slaves. OT Heb. slaves could be sold to a Heb. Master for only six years, but there was no time limit on Gentile slaves. "

This in truth, was refering to a "owned" slave type of "servant" situation. Now, for the word "servant" alone, the meaning is different.

This, in the Greek, means "Covenant"- (agreement between two people), type of slave or servant. The Apostle Paul spoke of he and the Apostles being slaves to Christ. This was refering to thier love and committment to Christ in serving Him as He lead them, being fools for Christ even.

Difference is, a "bondservant" is one that is owned or bound by "Contract" to a Master. A regular "servant", is one who by choice thru a "Covenant"- (agreement), with another serves that other.

As A Child of God, we each entered into an agreement with God, thru Christ, to read and learn His Word, to follow Him as well as we each can. But, we are not "bound" or "bonded" by that Covenant.

We can enter that Covenant and just sit there enjoying life never doing anything really and still enter Heaven. But, as Paul told the Corinthians, our "works" shall be investigated. If they burn, we'll lose rewards. Even if lose all of them, we will still be in Heaven, as if tried by fire.

But, I've also known a few Christians, who decided they liked the freedom of living by the world more, and walked away from God.

A "bondservant" is not one who has already paid a price. Its a person who is still bound by a "contract" to a specific Master, to fulfill that servential position.

I can't remember the man of God who went after Rachel for his wife. But, he entered in a contractual agreement to work 7 years for her father, to gain her as his wife.

But, the father did not tell this man thier custom also calls for the eldest sister to be married first before younger ones. So, this young man ended up working 14 years for Rachel. The first 7 covered unknowingly the right to marry the eldest Daughter. The second 7 covered for Rachel to marry the young man.

The above is now a perfect example of a "bondservant." After the stipulations of the "Contract" have been fulfilled and its finished, they are no longer a "bondservant."

God Bless!!
 
Praise God ... C. C...... Yes , I have a better understanding of it now. Thanks for the clarification. God Bless.
 
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