"to reduce to servitude, enslave, oppress by retaining in servitude, Acts 7:6; 2 Pet. 2:19; met. to render subservient, 1 Cor. 9:19; pass. to be under restraint, 1 Cor. 7:15; to be in bondage, spiritually or morally, Gal. 4:3; Tit. 2:3; to become devoted to the service of, Rom. 6:..."
Definition and meaning
to reduce to servitude, enslave, oppress by retaining in servitude, Acts 7:6; 2 Pet. 2:19; met. to render subservient, 1 Cor. 9:19; pass. to be under restraint, 1 Cor. 7:15; to be in bondage, spiritually or morally, Gal. 4:3; Tit. 2:3; to become devoted to the service of, Rom. 6:18, 22*
In the original Greek the word is written: δουλόω
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
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 douloo (G1402) across the King James Bible.
And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.
Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
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Common questions
Strong's G1402 (douloo) is a Greek word that means: to reduce to servitude, enslave, oppress by retaining in servitude, Acts 7:6; 2 Pet. 2:19; met. to render subservient, 1 Cor. 9:19; pass. to be under restraint, 1 Cor. 7:15; to be in bondage, spiritua... It appears 8 times in the King James Bible.
The word douloo (G1402) appears 8 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1402 is douloo, a Greek word defined as: to reduce to servitude, enslave, oppress by retaining in servitude, Acts 7:6; 2 Pet. 2:19; met. to render subservient, 1 Cor. 9:19; pass. to be under . James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
douloo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.