The Christian Scriptures use the institution of slavery figuratively, in
illustration of the Christian character and duty, and also in happy
illustration of the providences of God to man.
“Who is that faithful and wise servant, (δοῦλος, _doulos_, _slave_,)
whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in
due season? Blessed is that servant (δοῦλος, _doulos_, _slave_,) whom
his lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing. But if that evil
_servant_ (δοῦλος, _doulos_, _slave_) shall say in his heart, My lord
delayeth his coming; and shall begin to smite his fellow-servants,
(συνδούλους, _sundoulous_, _fellow-slaves_,) and to eat and drink with
the drunken, the lord of that servant (δούλου, _doulou_, _slave_) shall
come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not
aware of.” “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far
country, who called his own servants, (δούλους, _doulous_, _slaves_,)
and delivered unto them his goods.” “His Lord said unto him, Well done,
thou good and faithful _servant_, (δοῦλε, _doule_, _slave_,) thou hast
been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many
things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” “His lord answered and
said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, (δοῦλε, _doule_,
_slave_,) thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I
have not strewed,” &c. “And cast ye the unprofitable servant (δοῦλον,
_doulon_, _slave_) into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and
gnashing of teeth.” _Matt._ xxiv. 45–50 xxv. 14, 30.
“And he called his servants (δούλους, _doulous_, _slaves_), and
delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. And
it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom,
then he commanded these servants (δούλους, _doulous_, _slaves_) to be
called unto him, to whom he had given money, that he might know how much
every man had gained by trading.” “And he said unto him, Well, thou good
servant (δοῦλε, _doule_, _slave_), because thou hast been faithful in a
very little, have thou authority over ten cities.” “And he saith unto
him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant,
(δοῦλε, _doule, slave_.) Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking
up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow.” _Luke_ xix.
13–28.
“Blessed is that servant, (δοῦλος, _doulos_, _slave_) whom his lord,
when he cometh, shall find so doing. But if that servant (δοῦλους,
_doulos_, _slave_) say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and
shall begin to beat the men-servants (τοὺς παῖδας, _male-slaves_) and
maidens, (τὰς παιδίσκας, _female slaves_,) and to eat and drink and be
drunken; the lord of that servant (δούλον, _doulou_, _slave_,) will come
in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour when he is not
aware, and will cut him in sunder.” “And that servant (δοῦλος, _slave_)
which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did
according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.” _Luke_ xii.
43–48.
Here is an instance when the most favourite slave, called by the term
expressing such favouritism, when supposed to be disobedient, is
immediately designated by the term δοῦλος, _doulos_.
“Blessed are those servants (δοῦλοι, _douloi_, _slaves_) whom the lord
when he cometh shall find watching; and if he shall come in the second
watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those
servants,” (δοῦλοι, _douloi_, _slaves_.) _Luke_ xii. 37, 38.
“And sent his servant (δοῦλος, _doulos_, _slave_) at supper-time,” &c. *
* * “So that servant (δοῦλος, _doulos_, _slave_) came and showed his
lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry, said to his
servant,” (δούλῳ, _doulo_, _slave_.) “And the servant (δοῦλος, _doulos_,
_slave_) said, Lord, it is done. And the lord said unto the servant,
(δοῦλον, _doulon_, _slave_,) Go out into the highway,” &c. _Luke_ xiv.
17–23.
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free,
(ἐλευθερώσει, _eleutherosei_, _free_.) They answered him, We be
Abraham’s seed, we were never in bondage (δεδουλεύκαμεν,
_dedouleukamen_, _slavery_) to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be
made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you,
whosoever committeth sin, is the _servant_ of sin, (δοῦλος, _doulos_,
_slave_.) And the _servant_ (δοῦλος, _doulos_, _slave_) abideth not in
the house for ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall
be free indeed.” _John_ viii. 32–35.
“But which of you, having a servant (δοῦλον, _doulon_, _slave_)
ploughing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is
come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say
unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve
me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shall eat and
drink? Doth he thank that servant (δούλῳ, _slave_) because he did the
things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye
shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are
unprofitable servants (δοῦλοι, _slaves_): we have done that which was
our duty to do.” _Luke_ xvii. 7–10.
In all these instances slavery is made a lesson of instruction, and
always in the position commendable.
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