Berry-45

(G5928) Synonyms for Servant, Slave: doulos (δοῦλος G1401), therapon (θεράπων G2324), diakonos (διάκονος G1249), oiketes (οἰκέτης G3610), yperetes (ὑπηρέτης G5257).

(δοῦλος G1401) doulos is the usual word for slave, one who is permanently in servitude, in subjection to a master. therapon is simply one who renders service at a particular time, sometimes as a slave, more often as a freeman, who renders voluntary service prompted by duty or love. It denotes one who serves, in his relation to a person. diakonos also may designate either a slave or a freeman, it denotes a servant viewed in relation to his work. oiketes designates a slave, sometimes being practically equivalent to doulos. Usually, however, as the etymology of the term indicates, it means a slave as a member of the household, not emphasizing the servile idea, but rather the relation which would tend to mitigate the severity of his condition. yperetes means literally an under- rower, and was used to describe an ordinary rower on a war- galley. It is then used, as in the N. T., to indicate any man, not a slave, who served in a subordinate position under a superior.