The Watchtower, “'The Faithful Slave' and Its Governing Body”
“the spirit-anointed members of God's household at any given time collectively make up “the faithful and discreet slave,” “steward,” or “house manager.” Individually, the members of Jehovah's household are termed “domestics” or “body of attendants.””
Pre-2013 definition; par. 7 says Christ chose 'a small number of men out of the slave class to serve as a visible governing body'.
Official source (opens in new tab)
Provenance and verification note for The Watchtower, 'The Faithful Slave' and Its Governing Body
Confidence note. Opened on wol.jw.org; wording, paragraph and page confirmed.
Corroborated by. src-w-2007-0401-loyal-faithful-slave, src-w-2013-0715-who-really-is-fds
Accessed. 19 September 2026 · Source ID. src-w-1990-0315-faithful-slave-governing-body