"5Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; 6not by way of eye service, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. 7With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free. 9And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him." - Ephesians 6:5-9 (NASB)
In Ephesians 6:5-9, Paul provides the third domestic example to illustrate how being filled with the Spirit can impact daily life. He addresses the relationship between “slaves” (referred to as “douloi” or household servants) and their masters. Paul emphasizes the importance of showing mutual respect and conducting oneself according to the teachings of Christ. He urges slaves to serve their masters sincerely, as they would serve Christ, and advises masters to treat their slaves with the same respect, recognizing that they are ultimately accountable to the same Master in heaven. We must realize that Paul is not endorsing or supporting slavery, but rather attempting to reform an existing institution within a Christian framework, emphasizing the intrinsic worth and equality of all believers in Christ, irrespective of social status.
It is also important to note that the New Testament does not explicitly challenge the institution of slavery in its cultural context. However, the principles and values espoused in the gospel message laid the groundwork for gradual societal change. Over time, the truths of the gospel transformed these aspects of culture, ultimately contributing to the abolition of slavery in many parts of the world.1
“Slaves” (douloi) refers to household servants; “be obedient” is a Present Active Imperative, and it expresses a command in the present tense and active voice. There is a similar passage in 1 Peter 2:18-21 where it talks about the idea of obeying those in authority, even when it’s hard, following Christ’s example by being patient and gracious, even in the face of unjust treatment. There is an obvious parallel between the instructions for wives, children, and servants, although wives are not commanded to obey in the same way as children (for a period) and slaves are.
“who are your masters according to the flesh” – The apostle Paul uses the Greek term “flesh” (sarx) to refer to the physical rather than its evil aspect, applying it to both Christian and pagan masters. He contrasts earthly masters with the slaves’ Master in heaven, Jesus Christ. Ultimately, there is only one “kyrios” (Lord) for Christian slaves, and by distinguishing their earthly masters from the Master in heaven, the author places the household’s social structures in a Christian perspective. The point is, Christian slaves are to serve their earthly masters whether they are kind or unkind.
The phrase “with fear and trembling” is used in 1 Corinthians 2:3, 2 Corinthians 7:15, and Philippians 2:12 to convey a sense of respect. It expresses a feeling of reverence, awe, and humility before God. It signifies a deep awareness of one’s own inadequacy and a recognition of the responsibility of living out one’s faith in serving God.
Paul discusses the treatment of slaves as “moral agents” instead of solely advising the masters, as was common in Greco-Roman culture. Paul urges Christian slaves to serve their masters with “fear and trembling”. This doesn’t promote false humility or subservience to a human master, but rather encourages slaves to view their service as ultimately directed towards God, making Him the primary authority in their lives.
The phrase “in sincerity of heart, as to Christ” emphasizes the importance of being genuine and sincere in our actions as believers (cf. 2 Cor. 1:12; 11:3; Col. 3:22). Paul highlights that our motivations should be based on our identity in Christ, rather than on the value or merit of others. This principle applies to all aspects of our lives, including our relationships with others. Just as Christian husbands are called to love their wives not because of their wives’ perfection or worthiness, but because they are fellow believers, we are called to love others as an expression of our love for God. This underscores the significance of loving others as individuals created in the image of God and for whom Christ died (cf. 1 John 2:9, 11; 3:16; 4:20).
In essence, Paul is saying that Christian slaves should serve their masters honestly and without hidden motives. They are called to live with integrity, glorify God, and genuinely serve others. Paul also emphasizes that the earthly master is accountable to the heavenly Master, and does not stand in place of the heavenly Master as His representative.
In verse 6, Paul criticizes work that is done only to seek favor with a human master. Instead, now that they belong to Christ, they are encouraged to seek to please Him (cf. Col 3:22). The term “slave of Christ” sets the standard for the rest of the discussion. The idea here is that the Christian slave ultimately belongs to Christ and is primarily accountable for his or her behavior toward Christ. They are expected to carry out God’s will from their innermost selves.
In verse 7, Paul states that slaves should serve their masters enthusiastically, doing their work as if they were serving the Lord and not just ordinary humans (see Colossians 3:22-24). This contrasts with the typical expectation of slaves in ancient times, where the master’s wish was the slave’s command. However, Paul emphasizes that in a Christian household, even the will of the slave should be aligned with the will of God. The slaves should not see themselves as serving human masters, as was the norm, but rather as serving the Lord. This contrast is crucial to understanding Paul’s argument. He regards enthusiasm as a virtue in a slave, and slaves are freed because of their enthusiasm and affection in serving their masters. Therefore, Paul may be promoting virtues here that lead to emancipation.
It’s important to remember that in our daily interactions with others, both believers and nonbelievers, God is concerned with all our actions. Verse 8a – “knowing that whatever good thing” is a Third-Class Conditional sentence indicating a potential future action for believers to do good works, although, believers are not made right with God by good works, they are saved unto good works (Eph 1:4; 2:10; 4:17-5:14).
Believers should remember that God is watching their lives, and they will be held accountable (2 Cor 5:10). The Bible does speak about eschatological rewards and crowns, and regardless of social status, everyone will be rewarded according to their deeds (cf. Matt 16:27; 1Cor 3:14; Rev 22:12). Divine accounting differs from human accounting, as God shows no favoritism and treats all equally. This prompts the question of whether human beings should also refrain from making distinctions between individuals, given the call to be like our heavenly Master.
In verse 9, Paul now turns to masters, assumed to be believers. He admonishes them to treat their slaves with fairness and kindness. He urges them to act in a manner consistent with godly principles, refraining from using threats or intimidation. This aligns with Jesus’ teaching of treating others as we would like to be treated (cf. Mark 12:31; Matt 7:12), emphasizing the universal application of such principles in Christ.
Paul refers to “their Master and yours,” indicating that the true Master of both slaves and owners is Christ. He emphasizes that masters and slaves should have the same motivation and attitude, treating each other in a Christian way. This also applies to the behavior of masters, who are called to serve their slaves as Christians, in line with the teaching of Jesus and the idea of mutual servanthood.
Masters are urged to stop threatening their slaves and to reward good behavior, while both masters and slaves are equal before God. The concept of “partiality” is rooted in the Hebrew idea of “lifting the face,”2 indicating the elevation of someone’s status. The impartiality of God underpins Paul’s statement about the equality of slave and free, as well as other social distinctions, in Christ. Paul’s focus on all household relationships demonstrates how they can be lived out in a Christian manner.
Christian Slaves and Masters: Biblical Principles for Modern Workplaces
The principles outlined by Paul in this passage remain relevant in the context of modern-day employee-employer relationships. Although the specific dynamics of slavery mentioned in the text may not directly apply, the general principles of mutual respect, fairness, and consideration for others are timeless and can be applied to contemporary workplace settings. The emphasis on treating others with sincerity, respect, and fairness, regardless of their social or economic status, provides a valuable framework for healthy and respectful interactions between employers and employees in any era.
“In today’s workplace, Christians should demonstrate specific attitudes and work practices, especially in their relationship with their managers.
- Show deep respect to your managers or supervisors, regardless of whether you think they deserve it.
- Approach your work with sincerity and a positive attitude, and regularly evaluate your motives.
- Don’t perform just to impress your boss. Maintain consistent job performance even when your boss is not around.
- Make God’s will your top priority in your personal and professional life. Serving Christ should take precedence over any wrongful behavior at work.
- Do good deeds knowing that the Lord recognizes and rewards them, even if they go unnoticed by your supervisor.”
Those in positions of authority should remember that they are also under authority. All managers are accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ for every decision they make and how they treat their employees. Every supervisor, boss, and manager will be judged by Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Keep in mind the following principles:
- Managers should demonstrate the same attitudes and behaviors they expect from their employees.
- Avoid using threats to motivate employees.
- Use positive feedback and periodic evaluations to hold employees accountable.
- Avoid favoritism to maintain fairness and morale.
- Remember that all managers are responsible for their actions and how they treat their employees.
- read “The Gospel & Slavery” by J.I. Packer and “Slaves, Women & Homosexuals: Exploring the Hermeneutics of Cultural Analysis” by William J. Webb. ↩︎
- The Hebrew idea of “lifting the face” refers to the concept of showing favor, acceptance, or
acknowledgement to someone. In Hebrew thought, “lifting the face” signifies a positive and affirming interaction or response to another person. This idea is rooted in the cultural and religious significance of facial expressions and gestures in Hebrew tradition. – Mangum, Douglas. (2018). The Biblical Hebrew idiom ‘lift the face’ in the Septuagint of Job. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies. 74. 10.4102/hts.v74i3.5025. ↩︎
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