Lexical Summary oiketes: Servant, household servant, domestic Original Word: οἰκέτης Strong's Exhaustive Concordance household servant. From oikeo; a fellow resident, i.e. Menial domestic -- (household) servant. see GREEK oikeo HELPS Word-studies 3610 oikétēs (from 3624 /oíkos, "house") – properly, a household-servant working for a family, implying it is done with affection and devotion. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3610: οἰκέτηςοἰκέτης, οἰκέτου, ὁ (οἰκέω), from (Aeschylus and) Herodotus down, Latindomesticus, i. e. one who lives in the same house with another, spoken of all who are under the authority of one and the same householder, Sir. 4:30 Sir. 6:11, especially a servant, domestic; so in Luke 16:13; Acts 10:7; Romans 14:4; 1 Peter 2:18; the Sept. for עֶבֶד. See more fully on the word, Meyer on Romans, the passage cited (where he remarks that οἰκέτης is a more restricted term than δοῦλος, designating a house-servant, one holding closer relations to the family than other slaves; cf. διάκονος at the end, Schmidt, chapter 162.) Topical Lexicon Scope of the Term in Scripture The word refers to a household servant who lives within, and answers directly to, the master of the oikos. Scripture employs it five times to describe relationships that are intensely personal, distinguished from the broader term for bond-slave, and used to illuminate discipleship and responsibility within God’s household. Occurrences and Literary Setting • 1 Peter 2:18 directs believing household servants: “Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but even to those who are unreasonable.” In each passage the term functions to highlight accountability, fidelity, and the intimate sphere of the master’s household. Historical Setting: Household Servitude in the Roman Empire Domestic servants occupied the most trusted stratum of first-century servile labor. They handled finances, education of children, food distribution, and often represented the paterfamilias in legal matters. Their elevated access made loyalty indispensable; betrayal threatened the entire oikos. Understanding this backdrop sharpens Jesus’ and the apostles’ emphasis on single-minded devotion and trustworthy stewardship. Ethical and Theological Significance 1. Individual Accountability before God (Romans 14:4). Paul’s metaphor dismantles human hierarchies within the church by fixing every believer’s gaze on his true Master. Servanthood and Discipleship The term depicts more than menial labor; it embodies belonging. Jesus frames discipleship in household categories—He is “Son over God’s house” and believers are entrusted servants within it. Authority flows from the Master; privilege is inseparable from responsibility; reward is tied to faithfulness, not status. Practical Ministry Applications • Leadership: Pastors are under-stewards charged with feeding the household timely spiritual food (Matthew 24:45). The measure of success is faithfulness, not visibility. Related Concepts and Distinctions • doulos emphasizes ownership; this term stresses household intimacy. Christological Perspective Jesus, though Lord, “took the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7). He washes feet like the lowliest household attendant, then entrusts His followers with the keys of His Father’s house. By assuming the servant’s role, He dignifies service and establishes the pattern: the greatest in the kingdom is servant of all. Eschatological Echoes Matthew 24 ties the servant’s faithfulness to the timing of the Master’s return. Reward or reproof hinges on present stewardship. The imagery urges watchfulness; every act of care within the household points to that decisive day when “the Son of Man comes at an hour you do not expect.” Conclusion Across its five New Testament occurrences, the term for household servant offers a rich tapestry of devotion, stewardship, and accountable freedom. It invites believers to live as trusted members of God’s household—loyal to one Master, respectful toward human authorities, and steadfast in feeding others until the Lord’s sure return. Forms and Transliterations οικεται οικέται οἰκέται οικέταις οικέτας οικετειας οἰκετείας οικέτη οικετην οικέτην οἰκέτην οικετης οικέτης οἰκέτης οικέτιν οικέτις οικέτου οικετων οικετών οἰκετῶν oiketai oikétai oiketeias oiketeías oiketen oiketēn oikéten oikétēn oiketes oiketēs oikétes oikétēs oiketon oiketôn oiketōn oiketō̂nLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 24:45 N-GFSGRK: ἐπὶ τῆς οἰκετείας αὐτοῦ τοῦ NAS: put in charge of his household to give INT: over the household of him Luke 16:13 N-NMS Acts 10:7 N-GMP Romans 14:4 N-AMS 1 Peter 2:18 N-NMP Strong's Greek 3610 |
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