"slavery, bondage, servile condition; in NT met. with reference to degradation and unhappiness, Rom. 8:15, 21; Gal. 4:24; 5:1; Heb. 2:15*"
Definition and meaning
slavery, bondage, servile condition; in NT met. with reference to degradation and unhappiness, Rom. 8:15, 21; Gal. 4:24; 5:1; Heb. 2:15*
In the original Greek the word is written: δουλεία
Historical context
Paul wrote Romans from Corinth, one of the most important commercial cities in the empire. Rome had a Jewish population of around 50,000. The letter addresses real tensions between Jewish believers with centuries of Torah tradition and Gentile believers with no such background. Emperor Nero was on the throne. Within ten years he would execute both Paul and Peter.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of douleia (G1397) across the King James Bible.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
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Common questions
Strong's G1397 (douleia) is a Greek word that means: slavery, bondage, servile condition; in NT met. with reference to degradation and unhappiness, Rom. 8:15, 21; Gal. 4:24; 5:1; Heb. 2:15* It appears 5 times in the King James Bible.
The word douleia (G1397) appears 5 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1397 is douleia, a Greek word defined as: slavery, bondage, servile condition; in NT met. with reference to degradation and unhappiness, Rom. 8:15, 21; Gal. 4:24; 5:1; Heb. 2:15*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
douleia is a Greek word found in the New Testament.