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Greek Lessons
- The Grammar of Pleading: Conditional Syntax and Subjunctive Permission in Matthew 8:31
- The Grammar of Silence: Commands, Purpose, and the Messianic Secret
- “What to Us and to You?”: Demonic Recognition and Eschatological Grammar in Matthew 8:29
- Whispers of Identity: From Prophets to Pronouns in Mark 8:28
- The Field of Blood: Passive Voice and Temporal Clauses in Matthew 27:8
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Category
Tag Archives: διάκονος
Synonyms: Servants in Function and Faith: θεράπων, δοῦλος, διάκονος, οἰκέτης, ὑπηρέτης in the Greek New Testament
The vocabulary of servanthood in the Greek New Testament is strikingly diverse. Rather than using a single term for “servant,” the Holy Spirit—through the inspired authors—employs a spectrum of words: θεράπων, δοῦλος, διάκονος, οἰκέτης, and ὑπηρέτης. These words are not mere synonyms; they reflect differences in rank, relationship, responsibility, and spiritual significance. This article explores each term’s lexical meaning, biblical usage, and theological role in describing both literal and spiritual servitude. These five terms—θεράπων, δοῦλος, διάκονος, οἰκέτης, and ὑπηρέτης—all denote various kinds of servants in the Greek New Testament, but each carries a distinct social, spiritual, or functional nuance. Together, they form a rich vocabulary for understanding service, authority, and discipleship in early Christian theology.… Learn Koine Greek