Type/antitype 1897–2012

The faithful and wise servant

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Also known as The faithful and discreet slave · The faithful and prudent servant · The faithful steward · The faithful and wise servant class · The faithful slave · The discreet slave · The slave class · That servant · The composite servant · The composite slave

In 1881 the faithful and wise servant was identified as the entire body of consecrated Christians acting collectively. In 1897 the interpretation shifted toward one specially selected channel for dispensing spiritual food. In 1906 Russell suggested that The Watch Tower rather than its editor might be regarded as that servant, while in 1909 he discussed the application of the passage to himself and the Society's role as the channel of instruction. The special-channel interpretation was repeated in 1915. After Russell's death in 1916, The Watchtower explicitly identified him as that servant. This personal identification continued under Rutherford, but by 1920 the Watch Tower Society was described as Russell's successor in carrying on the work, a position reaffirmed in 1923. In 1927 the individual interpretation was rejected and replaced with the collective identification of the faithful anointed class approved at Christ's temple judgment. This understanding was reaffirmed in 1930, 1933, 1937, and 1938. Under Knorr the collective interpretation continued, with statements from 1942 onward identifying the servant as the faithful anointed remnant. In 1944 a distinction was explicitly drawn between the anointed servant class and the legal Watch Tower corporation. In 1957 the interpretation as an individual man was expressly rejected again. In 1969 the class was defined as all anointed Christians on earth collectively. In 1971 the relationship between the slave class, its Governing Body, and the legal corporation was further clarified. Publications in 1973 and 1975 emphasized the class's continuity from the first-century congregation. During the Franz presidency the same collective identification continued, including the 1977 description of the modern-day servant as a group of devoted Christians and later statements that the Governing Body represented the slave class. From 1992 through 2000 this collective understanding remained in force. In 1995 it was explicitly stated that the class comprised all anointed Christians on earth as a group at any given time.

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Russell

Charles Taze Russell · 1877–1916

2 readings
  1. 1897 Reversal

    The servant is understood as one specially selected channel through which the Lord supplies spiritual food to fellow servants and the household, rather than the entire body acting collectively.

    1 quote
    The intimation here seems to be, that at the particular time indicated by the prophecy—namely, during the Lord's presence, and at the time of the gathering of the elect—our Lord, the great Servant of his people, will make choice of one channel for dispensing the meat in due season, though other channels or "fellow-servants" will be used in bringing the food to the "household."
    The Battle of Armageddon, 1897
  2. 1916 Narrowed

    Following Russell's death, a Watchtower editorial explicitly identifies Brother Russell as the servant appointed to distribute spiritual food, distinguishing his personal identity from his official capacity.

    1 quote
    We must make the distinction between Brother Russell as a creature and his official capacity as "that servant" of the Master to give out the "meat in due season."
    The Watchtower, December 15, 1916

Rutherford

Joseph F. Rutherford · 1917–1942

2 readings
  1. 1920–1923 Broadened

    The servant's work is connected with both Russell personally and the Watch Tower Society as the organization expected to continue his work. The Society is presented as Russell's successor and the continuing instrument for carrying out the assigned mission.

    2 quotes
    It is manifest from the language used by Brother Russell that he expected the Society to constitute his successor to carry on the work after he had finished that which was committed to him personally.
    The Watchtower, April 1, 1920
    Both statements were true; for Brother Russell was in fact the Society in a most absolute sense, in this, that he directed the policy and course of the Society without regard to any other person on earth.
    The Watchtower, March 1, 1923
  2. 1927–1938 Reversal

    The identification of the servant with one individual is replaced by a collective interpretation. The servant is the class of faithful anointed Christians found approved at Christ's temple judgment and entrusted with Kingdom interests. Later statements emphasize that the remnant collectively, rather than privileged individuals, constitutes the servant.

    7 quotes
    The answer to this is, Those found faithful when the Lord comes to his temple. The goods of the Lord are all his interests. The Lord has made this faithful and wise class ruler over all his goods, or kingdom interests, on earth. Continued faithfulness unto death is required of each one who remains in this wise and faithful Servant class.
    The Watchtower, February 15, 1927
    That class constitutes the "faithful and wise servant."—Matthew 24: 45. 36 Such, in order to prove finally faithful, must continue in the faithful performance of the duties laid upon them by virtue of their commission or ministry. They must serve the Lord, and serving the Lord does not mean to idly meditate upon getting away from the earth and going to a place of rest.
    The Watchtower, May 1, 1927
    It is those who compose the “faithful and wise servant” class that constitute the children of Zion, brought forth and built up into the organization of the Lord.
    Prophecy, 1930
    Speaking of the faithful ones whom he would find on coming to his temple, he collectively calls them by the name and title of “servant”, or “faithful and wise servant”.
    The Watchtower, December 15, 1930
    No individuals are singled out and given a preferential place, but all together the remnant constitute the servant, that is, Jehovah’s witnesses, to declare his name in the earth.
    The Watchtower, December 1, 1933
    Now the Lord has gathered unto his temple the remnant of the faithful ones and made them his trusted servant and committed to them all his earthly kingdom interests, laying upon them the obligation of advancing those interests.
    The Watchtower, December 15, 1937
    Those persons who at the temple judgment received the approval of the Lord became the bondservants of the Lord and are entirely committed to the doing of his will. Such persons collectively constitute that body whom the Lord designates as his “faithful and wise servant”. These are called “faithful” because of their devotion to the Lord and being dependable; “wise” because they are diligent to obey the will of the Lord, always following his instructions.
    1938 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses

Governing Body

1992–

1 reading
  1. 2012 Narrowed

    The annual meeting announced that the faithful slave is the small composite group of anointed brothers dispensing spiritual food from headquarters, acting together as the Governing Body. This replaced the identification with all anointed Christians and distinguished the slave from its domestics.

    1 quote
    That slave is the small, composite group of anointed brothers serving at world headquarters during Christ’s presence who are directly involved in preparing and dispensing spiritual food.
    Annual Meeting Report 2012, “Who Is the Faithful and Discreet Slave?”