Commentary - Ephesians 6:5-9

Bird's-eye view

In this section of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul continues his instruction on the Christian household, turning his attention to the relationship between slaves and masters. This is often a difficult passage for modern readers, but it is crucial that we resist the temptation to apologize for the Bible or to edit out the parts that make us uncomfortable. The gospel invaded a world where slavery was a deeply embedded and unquestioned institution. Paul's instructions here are not an endorsement of the institution of slavery as an ideal, but rather a radical subversion of it from the inside out. He does not call for a violent, external revolution, which would have been futile and bloody. Instead, he applies the gospel in a way that completely redefines the master/slave relationship, grounding it in the ultimate reality of Christ's lordship. Both slave and master are commanded to orient their lives and their duties toward Christ, their true Master in heaven. This passage teaches us that our ultimate identity is not defined by our social status, whether slave or free, but by our position as slaves of Christ. All our work, in every station of life, is to be done as unto the Lord, because He is the one who will ultimately reward every good deed.

The core principle is the transformation of motive. Slaves are to obey not out of fear of man or a desire to curry favor, but with a sincere heart as an act of worship to Christ. Masters are to treat their slaves with the same God-fearing integrity, recognizing that they too are under authority and will be judged by a Master who shows no partiality. The gospel thus demolishes the worldly hierarchy at a spiritual level, placing both slave and master on level ground before the throne of God. This is how Christianity ultimately dismantled the institution of slavery in the West, not by a political program, but by changing the hearts of men and women, one household at a time.

Outline

Context In Ephesians

Ephesians 6:5-9 is the third and final pairing in Paul's instructions for the Christian household, which began in chapter 5. The foundational principle for this entire section is mutual submission "in the fear of Christ" (Eph 5:21). This principle is then applied to wives and husbands, children and parents, and finally, slaves and masters. It is crucial to see that these are not standalone rules for social order but are direct applications of a life filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18). The Spirit-filled life results in singing, giving thanks, and submitting to one another. Therefore, the instructions to slaves and masters are not a mere social ethic; they are a description of what Spirit-filled relationships look like within the existing structures of the first-century world. Paul is showing the Ephesians how their new identity in Christ, as detailed in the first three chapters, works itself out in the most basic and challenging relationships of daily life. This section is a bridge between the doctrinal realities of our union with Christ and the practical realities of spiritual warfare that immediately follow (Eph 6:10ff).

Key Issues

All Work as Worship

The radical message of this passage is that the gospel elevates all legitimate work to the level of worship. For the slave in the first century, his labor was often seen as the most menial, degrading, and meaningless part of his existence. It was something to be endured, not embraced. But Paul says that for the Christian slave, the drudgery of his daily tasks can be transformed into a holy service rendered directly to the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a revolutionary concept. It means that the value of our work is not determined by the nature of the task, our pay, or our social status, but by the one for whom we are working.

This principle applies to every Christian in every vocation. Whether you are a slave, a CEO, a pastor, or a stay-at-home mother, your work is your primary context for serving Christ. The distinction between "sacred" and "secular" work is a pagan fiction. For the believer, all of life is sacred. Washing dishes, writing code, driving a truck, or managing a household can and should be done "as to Christ." This passage calls us to find our dignity not in the job title, but in the identity of our true Master. When we understand this, the temptation to be a "man-pleaser" who only works hard when the boss is watching evaporates. We are always being watched by our true Master, the one who sees the heart and who promises to reward every good deed done in faith.

Verse by Verse Commentary

5 Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the integrity of your heart, as to Christ;

Paul begins by addressing slaves, who were numerous in the Ephesian church. The command is straightforward: be obedient. But this obedience is immediately qualified. They are to obey their masters "according to the flesh," which is a crucial limitation. This acknowledges the master's earthly, temporal authority, but it implicitly points to a higher authority. The manner of this obedience is "with fear and trembling," which should not be understood as a cowering terror before a cruel master, but rather as a profound sense of holy reverence and anxiety to do what is right before God. It's the same phrase Paul uses to describe how believers should work out their own salvation (Phil 2:12). The final and most important qualification is the motive: "in the integrity of your heart, as to Christ." The obedience is not to be merely external, but sincere and wholehearted, because the slave is to see his earthly master as a stand-in for his true Master, Jesus Christ.

6 not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,

Here Paul contrasts the wrong way to work with the right way. "Eyeservice" is work done only when the boss is looking. It is the service of a "man-pleaser," someone whose goal is to win the approval and favor of human beings. This is fundamentally a form of idolatry. The Christian slave is to reject this. Why? Because he is not ultimately a slave to his earthly master; he is a "slave of Christ." This is his true identity. Therefore, his work is not about pleasing men but about "doing the will of God." And this is to be done "from the heart," or more literally, "from the soul." It is a deep, internal, willing service. The gospel transforms the slave's work from coerced compliance into a willing act of worship.

7 serving with good will as to the Lord, and not to men,

Paul summarizes and reinforces the point. The attitude of the Christian worker should be one of "good will." This is the opposite of a resentful, grudging spirit. It is a cheerful and willing disposition. And again, the object of this service is explicitly stated: it is "as to the Lord, and not to men." Of course, in a practical sense, they were serving men. But their ultimate orientation, their spiritual focus, was to be on the Lord. They were to look through their earthly master to their heavenly Master. This is the secret to finding joy and meaning in any kind of labor, no matter how difficult or unappreciated it may seem from a worldly perspective.

8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

This verse provides the great motivation and comfort for the Christian worker. There is a final accounting. Earthly masters might be unfair, ungrateful, or exploitative. They might fail to reward good work. But the Lord misses nothing. He sees every act of faithful service, and He promises to give a reward. The Greek here is emphatic: "this he will receive back." It is a guaranteed return on investment. And notice the radical equality this principle introduces: it applies to everyone, "whether slave or free." In the final judgment, earthly social status will mean nothing. The slave who served faithfully from the heart will be rewarded by the Lord, and the free man who did the same will be rewarded. God's economy is perfectly just.

9 And masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

Now Paul turns to the masters. His instruction is brief but potent. He tells them to "do the same things to them." This means they are to adopt the same Christ-centered, wholehearted, God-fearing attitude in their role as masters that he just commanded of the slaves. Their authority is not an excuse for self-indulgence but a stewardship to be carried out before God. Specifically, they are to give up "threatening." The master-slave relationship in the Roman world was built on a foundation of fear and intimidation. Paul commands Christian masters to dismantle that foundation. Instead of ruling by threats, they are to rule with the same integrity and good will they expect from their slaves. The reason for this is twofold. First, they must know that they also have a Master in heaven. Their authority is delegated and they are accountable. Second, this heavenly Master shows "no partiality." He will not be impressed by their wealth or social standing. He will judge the master and the slave by the same righteous standard. This puts the master and slave on a level playing field before God, completely subverting the worldly power dynamic.

Application

While the institution of chattel slavery is no longer a feature of our society, the principles in this passage are timeless and apply directly to every modern workplace and every hierarchical relationship. All of us are under some form of authority, and many of us have authority over others. This passage calls us to radically re-evaluate how we work and how we lead.

For the employee, the call is to work with integrity, diligence, and good will, not just to earn a paycheck or impress the boss, but as an act of worship to the Lord Jesus Christ. Your work matters to God. He is your true boss, and He is the one who will ultimately reward your faithfulness. This frees you from the need to be a man-pleaser and from the bitterness that comes when your hard work is overlooked by others. Do your work for an audience of One.

For the employer, the manager, the leader, the call is to exercise authority with justice, fairness, and a deep sense of accountability to God. You are not the ultimate master of your domain. You are a steward, and you will give an account to your Master in heaven for how you treated those under your charge. Leading by threats, intimidation, and manipulation is a pagan practice. Christian leadership is characterized by service, respect, and a genuine concern for the well-being of those you lead, knowing that you and your employees are equal before the impartial judgment seat of Christ. The gospel transforms the workplace from a place of conflict and exploitation into a context for mutual service and the glory of God.