On Being a Slave/Bondservant ...

There I was, sitting in Sunday School on June 13th, 2010. The teacher was teaching from Acts 2, Pentecost and Peter's sermon. He made a comment that made me think very hard, he said "as Christ's slave" and I balked. My first thought was "I'm not a slave, I'm a servant" ... so this lead me to the following study!

Acts 2:18 is translated:
"even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy." (KJV)

and:

"even on my bondslaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth of mu Spirit and they shall prophesy." (NASB)

I got to thinking ... "what does that word servant/bondslave mean in Greek? What is the root?

I didn't do an intense study but this is what I came up with:

• The word is δοῦλος (doo'-los) From the root δέω (deh'-o) [which is "A primary verb; to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively): - bind, be in bonds, knit, tie, wind."]; a slave (literally or figuratively, involuntarily or voluntarily; frequently therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency): - bond (-man), servant.
  
• So this word can have three meanings:

1. A slave bondman, man of servile condition
   
2. Metaphorically, one who gives himself up to another’s will those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men.
   
3. Devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests

(taken from Thayer's Greek Definitions)

Looking at the context I tend to believe that we are more than a slave, who is bound to his master by demand.

We are ...

• Servants of the Most High God. Redeemed people who have given up our own will to the will of the Father. For the sake of the Kingdom, extending and advancing God's cause among men. Devoted to God, to the disregard of our own interest!

I want to live my life patterned after the LORD Jesus Christ, following the Father's will, and allowing the work of the Holy Spirit in my daily living!