G'day All: 2 Tim 2:24 where we are encouraged to be a "servant " of the Lord. Had a little look at the translation of servant in the NET version with their references. Very interesting and informative.
Though "doulos " is normally translated "servant ", the word does not bear the connotation of a free individual serving another. Servant for slave is largely confined to Biblical translation and early American times- in normal usage at present time the two words servant and slave are carefully distinguished. One good translation is "bond-servant "in that it often indicates one who sells himself into slavery to another. But as this is archaic, few today understand it's force. Also, many slaves in the Roman world became slaves through Rome's subjugation of conquered nations, kidnapping, or being born into slave household. Undoubtedly the background for the Lord's slave or servant is to be found in the Old Testament scriptures. FOR A JEW THIS DID NOT CONNOTE DRUDGERY, BUT HONOUR AND PRIVILEGE. It was of national interest at times(Is 43:10)but was especially associated with famous O.T personalities, including such greats as Moses(Josh 14:7), David (Ps 89:3),(2Sam7:5,8), and Elijah (2 Kings 10:10): all of these were "servants " of the Lord.