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.
- Matt. 24:45-47
- Matt. 24:48-51
- Luke 12:42-44
- Luke 12:45-48
Key moments
- 1881 Introduced The servant is the little flock of consecrated Christians, the body of Christ, collectively distributing spiritual food to the wider household of believers.
- 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.
- 1906 Refined Russell recounts the personal application of the servant prophecy to himself but expresses a preference for considering The Watch Tower magazine, rather than its editor personally, as the servant.
- 1909–1915 Refined The special-channel interpretation continued. Russell acknowledged that Matthew 24:45 had been personally applied to him, while the Society's publications were presented as the channel of spiritual instruction. The single-channel explanation continued to be published in 1915 without claiming inspiration or infallibility for the steward.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 1944 Refined The servant is more precisely distinguished from the legal corporation. The servant class comprises the entire faithful spirit-anointed remnant, whereas the incorporated Watch Tower Society is a legal instrument that does not itself include every member of the servant class.
- 1971–1975 Refined The collective identification remains, while the institutional structure is explained more precisely. The Governing Body represents and directs the anointed slave class but is distinct from the legally incorporated Watch Tower Society. The slave class is also explicitly traced back to the first-century anointed Christian congregation.
- 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.
- 2013 Refined The appointment over Christ’s belongings was placed at his future coming during the great tribulation, replacing the former 1919 date. This is distinct from appointment over the domestics, and supplements the card’s already recorded narrowing of the slave’s identity.
Russell
Charles Taze Russell · 1877–1916
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The servant is the little flock of consecrated Christians, the body of Christ, collectively distributing spiritual food to the wider household of believers.
1 quote
Is it not that "little flock" of consecrated servants who are faithfully carrying out their consecration vows--the body of Christ-- and is not the whole body individually and collectively, giving the meat in due season to the household of faith--the great company of believers?
The Watchtower, October 1, 1881 -
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 -
Russell recounts the personal application of the servant prophecy to himself but expresses a preference for considering The Watch Tower magazine, rather than its editor personally, as the servant.
1 quote
Some little objection was aroused by her interpretation and I urged great moderation in the making of any personal application, suggesting that the WATCH TOWER rather than its editor might be considered "that servant."
The Watchtower, July 15, 1906 -
The special-channel interpretation continued. Russell acknowledged that Matthew 24:45 had been personally applied to him, while the Society's publications were presented as the channel of spiritual instruction. The single-channel explanation continued to be published in 1915 without claiming inspiration or infallibility for the steward.
2 quotes
THE application to us of `Matthew 24:45` some fourteen years ago, styling us "that servant," came not from us, but from one who is now our bitter enemy and who claims that while we did occupy such position we have forfeited it, lost it, to a successor.
The Watchtower, October 1, 1909 To our understanding this would not imply that “that servant” or steward, used as a channel for the circulation of the “meat in due season,” would be the originator of that meat, nor inspired, nor infallible.
Bible Students Monthly, November 1915 -
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
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The individual interpretation continues after Russell's death. Russell is portrayed as a specially appointed personal servant and watchman.
1 quote
Faithfulness in individual watching during a trial period of seven years was rewarded by the bestowal of the office of the greatest servant whom the Church of God has had since the Apostle Paul.
The Finished Mystery, 1918 -
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 -
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
Knorr
Nathan H. Knorr · 1942–1977
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The collective servant interpretation remains established. The servant is the faithful anointed class approved when Christ is understood to have come to the temple for judgment in 1918, thereafter receiving responsibility for the Kingdom interests on earth.
2 quotes
When Christ Jesus, having now received the Kingdom, came to the temple in 1918 and began judgment at the house of God he found two classes among those consecrated to God and begotten of His spirit. One class he approved, to wit, those who faithfully sought to keep unity with Him their Head and to look after the interests of their brethren in Christ and to serve them with the Lord’s provided “meat in due season”. Such he brought into the temple and anointed them and made them his “faithful and wise servant”.
The Watchtower, May 1, 1942 This is factual proof that Christ Jesus has approved and laid his hands upon the remnant of Jehovah’s witnesses as his visible representatives and that he has united them with himself at the temple. Thus since 1918 they constitute with him and under him the “faithful and wise servant” class. Christ Jesus is Jehovah’s Ruler over all the Kingdom “goods” or interests, and the Ruler has entrusted those interests on earth to the faithful and wise remnant.
The Watchtower, July 15, 1943 -
The servant is more precisely distinguished from the legal corporation. The servant class comprises the entire faithful spirit-anointed remnant, whereas the incorporated Watch Tower Society is a legal instrument that does not itself include every member of the servant class.
2 quotes
This they must do, down to the battle of Armageddon, when the Kingdom will destroy all the enemies of The Theocracy and then the millennial reign of Christ Jesus will begin. This “faithful and wise servant” class is the real “Society” of Jehovah’s anointed remnant. That is, it includes all those of the faithful spirit-begotten remnant, whereas the legal corporation, the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, does not include all such.
The Watchtower, November 1, 1944 That is, it includes all those of the faithful spirit-begotten remnant, whereas the legal corporation, the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, does not include all such.
The Watchtower, November 1, 1944 -
The established collective interpretation is repeatedly reaffirmed. The servant is not an individual man but the united company of anointed Christians responsible for distributing spiritual food, with the anointed remnant on earth constituting the modern manifestation of that class.
6 quotes
No individual man now on earth was here foretold, but the entire organized company of God’s consecrated people who are dedicated to his service and who work in unity as one man throughout the earth.
The Watchtower, February 15, 1948 By what examples and reasons may we be sure there is only one “faithful and wise servant”? 15 There is only one Most High Jehovah, one Lord Jesus Christ, one holy spirit, one anointed company, one company of the Lord’s “other sheep”. There are not two Christs, and neither are there two anointed companies. So today there is only one “faithful and wise servant” class.
The Watchtower, August 1, 1950 When Christ came for judgment in 1918 he found some associated with this group that thought the Lord had delayed his coming and they were oppressing their fellow slaves in Christ. These were cast off as the “evil slave” class. Those faithfully serving God were identified as the “faithful and discreet slave” class.
The Watchtower, February 1, 1952 This “faithful and discreet slave,” then, is not an individual man but a company following the example of Christ; it is the united company of the anointed followers of Christ.
The Watchtower, June 1, 1957 But you of the “great crowd” and any others who desire to be enlightened, follow the awake “faithful and discreet slave” class, who keep their lamp burning day and night.
The Watchtower, July 15, 1960 These persons keenly appreciate any contact they have with the temple class and show this by cooperating fully with the "faithful and discreet slave," made up of all anointed Christians on earth as a class.
The Watchtower, May 1, 1969 -
The collective identification remains, while the institutional structure is explained more precisely. The Governing Body represents and directs the anointed slave class but is distinct from the legally incorporated Watch Tower Society. The slave class is also explicitly traced back to the first-century anointed Christian congregation.
3 quotes
So it is today: the governing body of the "faithful and discreet slave" class includes more than the seven anointed Christians who are on the Board of Directors of the Society.
The Watchtower, December 15, 1971 Since the "slave" of Jesus' illustration is not just one Christian man but is the anointed congregation of Christ's disciples, the "faithful and discreet slave" class continued to serve on after the death of C. T. Russell.
God's Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached, 1973 This "slave" class, the spirit-anointed Christian congregation, would remain loyal right down to the time of Christ's coming to destroy the present wicked system of things.—Matt. 28:18-20.
The Watchtower, February 15, 1975
Franz
Frederick W. Franz · 1977–1992
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The servant remains the composite body of spirit-anointed Christians, including the remaining members on earth of the heavenly Kingdom class. They collectively supply spiritual food and administer Kingdom interests, while the Governing Body represents them and oversees the worldwide work.
6 quotes
Yes, for over thirty years until 1914, a small group of devoted Christians had been serving as the modern-day "faithful and discreet slave" in providing spiritual food for fellow servants of the household of God.
The Watchtower, January 1, 1977 Likewise the anointed remnant of spiritual Israelites today render to God "public service" as the "faithful and discreet slave" class.
The Watchtower, July 1, 1978 Appreciating this appointment from the Master, the composite anointed "slave" has taken good care of Kingdom interests on earth, seeing to the publishing of the "good news."
Let Your Kingdom Come, 1981 Because of his loyal submission to theocratic rule, even to the death, Jesus was rewarded with immortal heavenly life. Additionally, he was given "all authority . . . in heaven and on the earth." (Matthew 28:18) In turn, he entrusted "all his belongings" on earth (earthly interests of his Kingdom) to faithful anointed Christians. These ones Jesus called a "faithful and discreet slave."
The Watchtower, June 1, 1982 These are the Kingdom interests that Christ has committed to the care of the faithful and discreet slave, represented by its Governing Body.
The Watchtower, March 15, 1990 As foretold at Matthew 24:3, 45-47, the Master, Jesus Christ, has appointed "the faithful and discreet slave," made up of anointed Christians, to care for all his belongings on earth during this day of his presence.
The Watchtower, September 1, 1991
Governing Body
1992–
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The faithful and discreet slave continues to be identified with all anointed Christians on earth acting collectively. Individual members are also described as the domestics receiving spiritual food. The Governing Body represents the slave class, while the Watch Tower Society's legal corporation remains institutionally distinct from that class.
5 quotes
In our century, it was the few thousands who responded to the preparatory work of the Bible Students during the years leading up to 1914.
The Watchtower, December 1, 1992 The facts show that today "the faithful and discreet slave" is associated with Jehovah's Witnesses and represented by the Governing Body of these Witnesses.
The Watchtower, February 1, 1993 The facts indicate that this faithful and discreet slave class comprises all anointed Christians as a group on earth at any given time.
The Watchtower, May 15, 1995 Directors of the Watch Tower Society are elected, whereas Witnesses who make up 'the faithful slave' are anointed by Jehovah's holy spirit.
The Watchtower, March 15, 1998 And the apostle Paul spoke of "the deep things of God," profound thoughts that Jehovah reveals to his people "through his spirit" operating on the faithful and discreet slave class.
The Watchtower, October 1, 2000 -
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?” -
The appointment over Christ’s belongings was placed at his future coming during the great tribulation, replacing the former 1919 date. This is distinct from appointment over the domestics, and supplements the card’s already recorded narrowing of the slave’s identity.
1 quote
each of these eight references to his coming applies to the future time of judgment during the great tribulation.
The Watchtower, July 15, 2013, pp. 3–8, “Tell Us, When Will These Things Be?”, pars. 17–18 -
The identification of the faithful slave with the Governing Body was reaffirmed. Its members decide matters collectively and remain fallible; the publication acknowledged that doctrinal and organizational errors are possible.
1 quote
The Governing Body is neither inspired nor infallible. Therefore, it can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction.
The Watchtower, February 2017, pp. 23–28, “Who Is Leading God’s People Today?”, pars. 10–12
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