Tag Archives: information on the doulos

The Greek word “doulos”

We were unable to post yesterday due to technical difficulties.  After tomorrow’s study, we will be on break until 9/19.

Found 125 times in the New Testament, the Greek noun “doulos” meant “servant,” “slave,” “bondman.”  This term is used most frequently in Matthew, Luke, John, and Revelation.

There are some definite nuances associated with this term, but a good summary was given by Trench (Synonyms of the New Testament, p. 30).  He said doulos is “one that is in a permanent relation of servitude to another, his will altogether swallowed up in the will of the other.”

The Greek word “doulos” (the adjective, not the noun)

Limited to Rom. 6:19, the adjective “doulos” meant “subservient” or “servile.”  Paul reminded his readers of how their bodies and lives had previously been enslaved to sin.  Freedom from sin’s enslavement is possible (Rom. 6:18) through only one person—Jesus Christ.