"a fellow-slave, fellow-servant, Mt. 24:49; 18:28f., 31, 33; Col. 4:7; Rev. 6:11; 19:10; 22:9; a fellow-minister of Christ, Col. 1:7*"
Definition and meaning
a fellow-slave, fellow-servant, Mt. 24:49; 18:28f., 31, 33; Col. 4:7; Rev. 6:11; 19:10; 22:9; a fellow-minister of Christ, Col. 1:7*
In the original Greek the word is written: σύνδουλος
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
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 syndoulos (G4889) across the King James Bible.
But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:
And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
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Common questions
Strong's G4889 (syndoulos) is a Greek word that means: a fellow-slave, fellow-servant, Mt. 24:49; 18:28f., 31, 33; Col. 4:7; Rev. 6:11; 19:10; 22:9; a fellow-minister of Christ, Col. 1:7* It appears 10 times in the King James Bible.
The word syndoulos (G4889) appears 10 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4889 is syndoulos, a Greek word defined as: a fellow-slave, fellow-servant, Mt. 24:49; 18:28f., 31, 33; Col. 4:7; Rev. 6:11; 19:10; 22:9; a fellow-minister of Christ, Col. 1:7*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
syndoulos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.