Enslaved (1402) (douloo - see study of doulos) means to bring someone into a state of absolute obedience and thus to bring into bondage, to enslave, to make someone a slave. The idea is to be held and controlled against one’s will. Figuratively (all NT uses except Acts 7:6) douloo means to gain control over someone. To become servant, to make someone a slave or to become a slave, to serve. The imagery derives directly from the ancient practice of enslaving an enemy defeated in battle as a prisoner! And so douloo describes not so much a relation of service as primarily one of dependence upon, or bondage to, something. Vine writes that douloo... signifies to fulfill the duties of a slave, for whom there was no choice either as to the kind or length of his service. The TDNT has an interesting comment on the background of this Greek word group noting that... Greeks have a strong sense of freedom. Personal dignity consists of freedom. There is thus a violent aversion to bondage. Service may be rendered to the state, but by free choice. Slavery is scorned and rejected. This explains the fierceness with which the Greeks fought for political independence. The only slavery Plato will allow is to the laws. The laws, however, represent the goal of humanity, so that slavery to law is in no way derogatory. Aristotle shows a similar scorn for slavery; for him slaves have no part in the state or true service to it. The Stoics have a broader view of service. Zeus himself summons us to it, so that, while free in relation to all people, we are unconditionally bound to all. Yet the Stoic would never call himself the doúlos theoú; he moves through the world as basileús and despótÄ"s, the very opposite of the doúlos. This is the characteristic of the wise. Those who are not wise are slaves, no matter what the form of their bondage (cf. Epictetus, Plutarch, and Philo). This survey shows that the group has no religious significance for the Greeks. It acquires this as Near Eastern religions win new adherents and in so doing change the Greek view of God and our relationship to him. (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans) There are 8 uses of douloo in the NT (see below) and 2 in the Septuagint (LXX) - Ge 15:13; Pr 27:8. Genesis 15:13 And God said to Abram, "Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved (Hebrew = abad = to serve; Lxx = douloo) and oppressed four hundred years. Acts 7:6 (quoting Ge 15:13 above) "But God spoke to this effect, that his offspring would be aliens in a foreign land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated for four hundred years. Romans 6:18 (note) and having been freed from sin, you became slaves (to be subdued by or subjugated to) of righteousness. Comment: Paul calls upon his readers to be freed from the slavery of sin that they might find the glorious freedom of a higher slavery. They are to be slaves to God (verse below). Romans 6:22 (note) But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. 1Corinthians 7:15 (context refers to marriage) Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace. 1 Corinthians 9:19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more. Comment: The idea is that Paul voluntarily gave up personal rights for the sake of his work for others. Galatians 4:3 So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage (to be dependent) under the elemental things of the world. Titus 2:3 (note) Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, Comment: Expositor's Greek Testament has a pithy comment writing that "It is proved by experience that the reclamation of a woman drunkard is almost impossible." 2 Peter 2:19 (note) promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. Wiersbe rightly warns us that... The cords of sin get stronger the more we sin, yet sin deceives (Heb 3:13- note) us into thinking we're free and can quit sinning whenever we please. As the invisible chains of habit are forged, we discover to our horror that we don't have the strength to break them. Millions of people in our world today are in one kind of bondage or another and are seeking for deliverance, but the only One who can set them free is Jesus Christ. "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:36, NKJV). These deceived lying false teachers promise freedom, perhaps freedom from laws or other restraints (even conscience) of the sinful tendencies found in our flesh nature inherited from Adam. For example there is a teaching making the rounds in evangelical circles that if we are once saved we are always saved (this part of the teaching is sound) and now that we are under grace and saved forever, we can continue sinning habitually. John would counter this "soft gospel" (really a "no gospel") warning us that Everyone who practices (present tense = habitually, as a lifestyle) sin also practices (present tense = habitually, as a lifestyle) lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness...8 the one who practices (present tense = habitually, as a lifestyle) sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one who is born of God practices (present tense = habitually, as a lifestyle) sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin (present tense = habitually, as a lifestyle), because he is born of God. 10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice (present tense = habitually, as a lifestyle) righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother." (read the entire chapter 1John 3) Paul implies that he encountered a similar error in Corinth (read 1Cor 6:12ff). Jesus warned that Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE (present tense) LAWLESSNESS (see note Matthew 7:21, See also Torrey's interesting topical listing of Scriptures on "Self Delusion") Peter says the very ones who speak of freedom are slaves. These false teachers talk of religion and freedom but they do not truly know the Son of God and are not known by Him (as the passage in Matthew 7 teaches). Jesus taught that If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. (eleutheroo = verb form of word Peter used for the "freedom" the false teachers promised)" ...34..."Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits (present tense = habitually, as their lifestyle) sin is the slave (doulos) of sin. (Jn 8:31-37) Wuest writes... Strachan, commenting on the words, "while they promise them liberty," says: "Doubtless that Antinomianism (against law, thus lawlessness, not responsible to law) is indicated to which the doctrine of grace has ever been open. Compare Galatians 5:13. It arises from the ever-recurring confusion of liberty and license. The training of conscience is contemporaneous with the growth of Christian character. The Pauline teaching, which abrogated external legality, was open to abuse, and might easily be dangerous to recent converts from heathenism." The liberty spoken of in Galatians 5:1 is liberty from the Mosaic law, not liberty to do as one pleases. The one set at liberty from the law is under a stronger and more effective compulsion, namely, divine love as ministered to the yielded saint by the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:13). These false teachers, not being saved and therefore not knowing grace, misrepresented the latter as license to sin. "Servants" is Doulos, "slaves." The word is a designation of the most abject, servile form of slavery. (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans or Logos) Bible Knowledge Commentary adds that The techniques of false teachers are only workable with the naive, for the heretics are like a 300-pound man selling diet books— they promise . . . freedom but are themselves hopelessly enslaved by depravity (Jn 8:34, 35, 36). Their empty and boastful promises of liberty are reminiscent of Satan’s words to Eve (Ge 3:5). Slavery is not merely chattel ownership but is the mastery of one’s will by any person, idea, or substance (Ro 6:16-note; 1Cor 6:12b). (bolding & colors added) Torrey's Topic Self Delusion A characteristic of the wicked -Psalms 49:18 Prosperity frequently leads to -Psalms 30:6; Hosea 12:8; Luke 12:17-19 Obstinate sinners often given up to -Psalms 81:11,12; Hosea 4:17; 2 Thessalonians 2:10,11 EXHIBITED IN THINKING THAT Our own ways are right -Proverbs 14:12 We should adhere to established wicked practices -Jeremiah 44:17 We are pure -Proverbs 30:12 We are better than others -Luke 18:11 We are rich in spiritual things -Revelation 3:17 We may have peace while in sin -Deuteronomy 29:19 We are above adversity -Psalms 10:6 Gifts entitle us to heaven -Matthew 7:21,22 Privileges entitle us to heaven -Matthew 3:9; Luke 13:25,26 God will not punish our sins Psalms 10:11; Jeremiah 5:12 Christ shall not come to judge 2 Peter 3:4 Our lives shall be prolonged Isaiah 56:12; Luke 12:19; James 4:13 Frequently preserved in, to the last Matthew 7:22; 25:11,12; Luke 13:24,25 Fatal consequences of Matthew 7:23; 24:48-51; Luke 12:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:3 Exemplified Ahab 1 Kings 20:27,34 Israelites Hosea 12:8 Jews John 8:33,41 Church of Laodicea Revelation 3:17 Babylon Isaiah 47:7-11 Torrey's Topic Spiritual Bondage Is to the devil -1 Timothy 3:7; 2 Timothy 2:26 Is to the fear of death -Hebrews 2:14,15 Is to sin -John 8:34; Acts 8:23; Romans 6:16; 7:23; Galatians 4:3; 2 Peter 2:19 Deliverance from, promised -Isaiah 42:6,7 Christ delivers from -Luke 4:18,21; John 8:36; Romans 7:24,24; Ephesians 4:8 The gospel, the instrument of deliverance from -John 8:32; Romans 8:2 Saints are delivered from -Romans 6:18,22 Deliverance from, illustrated -Deuteronomy 4:20 Typified Israel in Egypt -Exodus 1:13,14