Serving Christ as Master
Main Idea of Ephesians:
Ephesians reveals God’s eternal plan to unite all things in Christ, detailing our spiritual riches, the Church’s unity as His body, and our calling to live out this new identity.
Recap from Last Lesson:
In our previous lesson (Eph 6:1-4), we saw how the gospel transforms the parent-child relationship. Children are called to obey and honor their parents “in the Lord,” a command rooted in God’s timeless design for the family. Fathers, in turn, are commanded not to provoke their children to anger but to raise them in the gentle discipline and instruction of the Lord, reflecting the loving care of our Heavenly Father.
Questions to Consider:
Paul addresses “bondservants” (slaves). How does the gospel speak into such a difficult and unjust situation without condoning the institution of slavery itself?
The motivation for a servant’s work is to be done “with a sincere heart, as you would Christ.” How does this command elevate the nature and dignity of all labor?
What is the difference between working with “eye-service, as people-pleasers” and working “as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart”?
The command to masters is to “do the same to them” and to “stop your threatening.” How radical would this instruction have been in the first-century Roman world?
What is the ultimate motivation for both servants and masters? (v. 9) How does the reality of a final, impartial judgment change how we should view our earthly roles and responsibilities?
The Text:
“Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as you would Christ. Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing God’s will from your heart. Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to people, knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord. And masters, treat your slaves the same way, without threatening them, because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.”
– Ephesians 6:5-9 (CSB)
Observations:
Counter-Cultural Address: As with children, Paul directly addresses bondservants as responsible moral agents who can choose to honor God within their circumstances.
The True Master: Christ is repeatedly presented as the ultimate Master whom both the bondservant and the earthly master serve. The phrase “as to the Lord” is central.
Heart Motivation: The passage heavily emphasizes the internal attitude of the worker—sincerity, from the heart, with good will—over mere outward compliance (“eye-service”).
Reciprocal Command: The command to masters, “do the same to them,” creates a principle of reciprocity, urging them to act with the same good will and sincerity they expect from their servants.
The Great Equalizer: The final verse establishes that both servant and master are on equal ground before God, who judges without partiality based on social status. This radically undermines the worldly hierarchy.
Interpretation:
The Bondservant’s Calling: Service as Worship (vv. 5-8): Paul is not endorsing slavery; rather, he is instructing believers how to live for Christ within a fallen, unjust system they could not immediately change. He commands them to work with respect and sincerity, reframing their earthly labor as a direct act of worship to the Lord Jesus Christ. By doing their work “from the heart” for the Lord, they transformed a degrading situation into an opportunity to glorify God. Paul assures them that their true reward comes not from their earthly master, but from the Lord, who sees and values their faithful service.
The Master’s Calling: Just and Godly Leadership (v. 9): Paul’s command to masters was revolutionary. First, he tells them to “do the same to them,” meaning they should treat their bondservants with the same integrity and good will that they are to receive. Second, he commands them to “stop your threatening.” This strikes at the very heart of slavery, which was an institution built on fear, coercion, and violence. A Christian master could no longer rule by intimidation. The reason for this is profound: they have the same Master in heaven, who does not recognize earthly social distinctions. Before God, the master is just another servant, equally accountable for his actions.
Application:
For Employees: Do you do your work with sincerity and excellence, as if you were working directly for the Lord Jesus? Or do you only work hard when the boss is watching (“eye-service”)?
For Employers/Managers: Do you treat your employees with fairness, respect, and good will? Do you lead through encouragement and clear direction, or through intimidation and “threatening”? Do you remember that you are ultimately accountable to God for how you steward your authority?
For All: This passage dignifies all honest labor. Whether you are cleaning a floor or running a company, your work can be an act of worship when done from the heart for the Lord.
Connection to the Main Idea:
This passage demonstrates the radical, transformative power of the gospel on societal structures. By redefining the motivation for work and the basis for authority, the Spirit-filled life breaks down worldly barriers and brings unity. It shows how our “new identity” in Christ reshapes even the most hierarchical of human relationships into a platform for glorifying God.
How Does This Text Point to Christ?
Christ is the central reality of this passage. He is the true Master whom both employee and employer ultimately serve. He is the perfect model of a servant, who did the will of God from the heart, not as a people-pleaser, but in perfect obedience to the Father. He is also the perfect Master, who is just, righteous, and shows no partiality. Our relationship to our work and to those above or below us in authority is completely redefined by our relationship to Him.
Summary:
Paul applies the gospel to the workplace, instructing bondservants to obey their earthly masters with a sincere heart, viewing their labor as a direct service to the Lord Christ. This gives dignity and purpose to their work. He then gives a radical command to masters to treat their servants with the same respect and to stop using threats, reminding them that both master and servant are equally accountable to their one true Master in heaven, who judges without partiality.
Be Intentional:
If you are an employee: This week, consciously choose one task in your job that you dislike. Before you do it, pray, “Lord, I am doing this for You,” and then do it with all your heart as an act of worship.
If you are an employer or manager: This week, find a specific way to “nourish and cherish” (as Christ does the church) an employee. Offer a word of sincere encouragement, provide a resource they need, or simply listen to their concerns.
Ask Yourself:
(For employees): Does the quality of my work depend on who is watching?
(For employers): Do I view my employees as tools to get a job done, or as people for whom I am responsible before God?
(For all): How does knowing that I will receive my ultimate reward “from the Lord” change my attitude toward my daily work?
Bibliography:
Carson, D. A. (General Editor). NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible (NIVBTSB). Zondervan.
Merida, Tony. Exalting Jesus in Ephesians (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary – CCE). B&H Publishing Group.
O’Brien, Peter T. The Letter to the Ephesians (Pillar New Testament Commentary – PNTC). Eerdmans.
Stott, John R. W. The Message of Ephesians (The Bible Speaks Today – BST). InterVarsity Press.
Thielman, Frank. Ephesians (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament – BECNT). Baker Academic.
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