Eph 6:5-9 | KingComments | STEP | Now Paul writes about a third circle in which the new man must become visible. 1. After our behavior in the church, the first circle (Ephesians 4:25-5:21), and 2. our behavior in marriage and family, the second circle (Ephesians 5:22-6:4), has been highlighted, 3. now comes our functioning in society (Ephesians 6:5-9). Instead of three circles you could also speak of three communities: 1. the faith community, 2. the family community and 3. the work community. . Again Paul starts with those who are in subjection and here he also has the most to say to them. You can imagine that of all three addressed groups, it must be most difficult for slaves to show the ‘new man’. At the same time it must be most challenging for them too. Their position offers the most opportunities to let the heavenly light shine. After all, light shines the brightest where the circumstances are the darkest. It is obvious that their circumstances, especially in the conditions of those days, were difficult. A slave was a serf, without having anything of his own, without any right to food, leisure time or entertainment. Even his own body was not his own. That means that we cannot apply all to our situation, regarding the relationship between employer and employee. Yet we can learn a lot of what is said here to the slaves and masters, as much of that is certainly applicable to nowadays situations. Slaves have of all people, the most unique opportunity to show what the value is of Christendom in practice. Slaves show the new man in their difficult circumstances and not in the meetings. They can show in their circumstances that doctrine is not a theory. Through them the doctrine is being illustrated in practice. In Titus 2 it is said that the faithful slaves “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every aspect” ( ). How wonderful that is! It is true that Christendom is not a program for world improvement, in order to banish all consequences of sin. Slavery is not being dissolved; it is, and remains, a consequence of sin. If a slave gets the opportunity to become free, he may use it ( ). However, when he has to remain a slave, then he will find instructions in Scripture how to practice that. Here also the starting point is obedience; that is expected from slaves. In Scripture, that obedience is led on the right track and taken to the higher level. In this way the Christian slave is being motivated in his obedience. The first thing he may be aware of is that he is a servant of “a master according to the flesh”. His authority remains limited to his life on earth and to ‘only’ the body of the slave. Beyond that master ‘according to the flesh’ he may look upon his Master in heaven. He will serve with “fear and trembling” because he doesn’t want to do anything inappropriate in fulfilling his duties. But if he only focuses on fulfilling his duties, he would be forcing himself. Therefore, it is added that it will happen “in the sincerity” of his “heart”, which is with pure intentions, without double-mindedness. Sincerity of heart belongs to a ‘sincere, or clear, eye’ ( ), that is an eye that is only focused on Christ in glory. The slave who obeys “as to Christ” surrounds his service with heavenly brightness. . There are more dangers. A slave is surrounded by fellow slaves who do not regard God or any commandment. They do their best as long as their master is watching. When he isn’t looking, they don’t work properly. Or they do their best just to charm their master for their own benefit. A Christian slave must not take part in that. He must bear in mind that he is a slave of Christ after all. Christ is not a severe Master. How difficult the position may be, how heavy the work and how demanding the ‘master according to the flesh’ may be, the slave may look beyond all that, to heaven. He may consider this as God’s will for his life, and God’s will is always the best. That is sometimes hard to believe for us, but it is true. When dealing with the armor of God later in this chapter, we will come across parts with which you can arm yourself against doubting the goodness of God. . When the slave has reached the point that he has accepted his position as God’s will for his life, then there will be peace in his soul. His inner desire will be to fulfill the demands of his master as best as he possibly can. He will notice that with that attitude toward his ‘master according to the flesh’ he has more pleasure in his soul and he will do his work with more joy. After all, he serves the Lord in heaven and not a human being. . In all of this he may know that the Lord is righteous. He does not forget what is done for Him. Even though the earthly employer hasn’t seen what the employee has done, even though he values the achievements of the employee wrong, even though the earthly employer deducts some of the salary of the employee falsely, the Lord will reward “whatever good thing each one does”. That protects the employee from seeking his right through a labor union or a judge. This attitude someone can only have when he lives by faith, with confidence on the Lord, that each work that has been done for Him, is not in vain ( ). This principle goes for everyone, “whether slave or free”. What is really important is the motive from which we have done or do something. And the Lord knows how to judge that perfectly ( ). He will surely make no mistake when He will do the pay-off. . Finally a word to the “masters”. They have authority over the slaves; that is the position they have. Yet there are certain rules that apply equally to them and the slaves. An admonition that was addressed to the slaves and which also applies to the masters is: “Do the same things to them.” That means that they should not show partiality to any of their subjects and that they should do the will of God from the heart in sincerity of heart. Like the slaves the masters are also slaves of Christ. When they realize that, they better understand the conditions in which their slaves live. In the working relationship they are above their slaves, but in relation to their Lord, they stand equal to their slaves. When the master is a good slave of Christ he will also be a good master to his slaves. In every possible way and in all circumstances we have an excellent and perfect model in the Father and the Son. By looking upon Them we learn how to represent on earth the spiritual, eternal and heavenly order in all our relations. Are you a father? Fathers can find a model in the Father. Are you a child? Children can find a model in the Son. Are you an employee? An employee can find a model in the true Slave and learn how heavenly standards can be put into practice. Are you an employer? An employer can find a model in the heavenly Master and learn how to be a master in accordance with heavenly standards. He is not a Master from Whom comes a threat that He will punish every bad move of his slaves. In Ruth 2 we have a beautiful example. There you see with Boaz a good relationship between a master and his servants. That appears from his greeting: “Boaz … said to the reapers: “May the LORD be with you.” And they said to him, “May the LORD bless you”” ( ) and also from what is said further. You do not see a boss there who approaches his workers with threats and whom the workers fear. Both master and servants consider the Lord in their greeting. Boaz also shows that with him there is “no partiality”. He took pity on Ruth, the Moabitess, who belonged to a cursed nation ( ). By this he illustrates strikingly how the “Master in heaven” deals with such situations. The addition ‘in heaven’ shows in a special way the majesty of that Master. How great the appearance of an earthly master can be, it pales completely compared to that! Now read Ephesians 6:5-9 again. Reflection: How can a slave let the heavenly light shine in his often pitiful circumstances?

‏ Ephesians 6:5-9

Slaves and Masters

Now Paul writes about a third circle in which the new man must become visible.

1. After our behavior in the church, the first circle (Ephesians 4:25-5:21), and

2. our behavior in marriage and family, the second circle (Ephesians 5:22-6:4), has been highlighted,

3. now comes our functioning in society (Ephesians 6:5-9).

Instead of three circles you could also speak of three communities:

1. the faith community,

2. the family community and

3. the work community.

Eph 6:5. Again Paul starts with those who are in subjection and here he also has the most to say to them. You can imagine that of all three addressed groups, it must be most difficult for slaves to show the ‘new man’. At the same time it must be most challenging for them too. Their position offers the most opportunities to let the heavenly light shine. After all, light shines the brightest where the circumstances are the darkest.

It is obvious that their circumstances, especially in the conditions of those days, were difficult. A slave was a serf, without having anything of his own, without any right to food, leisure time or entertainment. Even his own body was not his own. That means that we cannot apply all to our situation, regarding the relationship between employer and employee. Yet we can learn a lot of what is said here to the slaves and masters, as much of that is certainly applicable to nowadays situations.

Slaves have of all people, the most unique opportunity to show what the value is of Christendom in practice. Slaves show the new man in their difficult circumstances and not in the meetings. They can show in their circumstances that doctrine is not a theory. Through them the doctrine is being illustrated in practice. In Titus 2 it is said that the faithful slaves “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every aspect” (Tit 2:9-10). How wonderful that is!

It is true that Christendom is not a program for world improvement, in order to banish all consequences of sin. Slavery is not being dissolved; it is, and remains, a consequence of sin. If a slave gets the opportunity to become free, he may use it (1Cor 7:21). However, when he has to remain a slave, then he will find instructions in Scripture how to practice that.

Here also the starting point is obedience; that is expected from slaves. In Scripture, that obedience is led on the right track and taken to the higher level. In this way the Christian slave is being motivated in his obedience. The first thing he may be aware of is that he is a servant of “a master according to the flesh”. His authority remains limited to his life on earth and to ‘only’ the body of the slave. Beyond that master ‘according to the flesh’ he may look upon his Master in heaven.

He will serve with “fear and trembling” because he doesn’t want to do anything inappropriate in fulfilling his duties. But if he only focuses on fulfilling his duties, he would be forcing himself. Therefore, it is added that it will happen “in the sincerity” of his “heart”, which is with pure intentions, without double-mindedness. Sincerity of heart belongs to a ‘sincere, or clear, eye’ (Mt 6:22), that is an eye that is only focused on Christ in glory. The slave who obeys “as to Christ” surrounds his service with heavenly brightness.

Eph 6:6. There are more dangers. A slave is surrounded by fellow slaves who do not regard God or any commandment. They do their best as long as their master is watching. When he isn’t looking, they don’t work properly. Or they do their best just to charm their master for their own benefit. A Christian slave must not take part in that. He must bear in mind that he is a slave of Christ after all.

Christ is not a severe Master. How difficult the position may be, how heavy the work and how demanding the ‘master according to the flesh’ may be, the slave may look beyond all that, to heaven. He may consider this as God’s will for his life, and God’s will is always the best. That is sometimes hard to believe for us, but it is true. When dealing with the armor of God later in this chapter, we will come across parts with which you can arm yourself against doubting the goodness of God.

Eph 6:7. When the slave has reached the point that he has accepted his position as God’s will for his life, then there will be peace in his soul. His inner desire will be to fulfill the demands of his master as best as he possibly can. He will notice that with that attitude toward his ‘master according to the flesh’ he has more pleasure in his soul and he will do his work with more joy. After all, he serves the Lord in heaven and not a human being.

Eph 6:8. In all of this he may know that the Lord is righteous. He does not forget what is done for Him. Even though the earthly employer hasn’t seen what the employee has done, even though he values the achievements of the employee wrong, even though the earthly employer deducts some of the salary of the employee falsely, the Lord will reward “whatever good thing each one does”. That protects the employee from seeking his right through a labor union or a judge.

This attitude someone can only have when he lives by faith, with confidence on the Lord, that each work that has been done for Him, is not in vain (1Cor 15:58). This principle goes for everyone, “whether slave or free”. What is really important is the motive from which we have done or do something. And the Lord knows how to judge that perfectly (1Cor 4:5b). He will surely make no mistake when He will do the pay-off.

Eph 6:9. Finally a word to the “masters”. They have authority over the slaves; that is the position they have. Yet there are certain rules that apply equally to them and the slaves. An admonition that was addressed to the slaves and which also applies to the masters is: “Do the same things to them.” That means that they should not show partiality to any of their subjects and that they should do the will of God from the heart in sincerity of heart.

Like the slaves the masters are also slaves of Christ. When they realize that, they better understand the conditions in which their slaves live. In the working relationship they are above their slaves, but in relation to their Lord, they stand equal to their slaves. When the master is a good slave of Christ he will also be a good master to his slaves.

In every possible way and in all circumstances we have an excellent and perfect model in the Father and the Son. By looking upon Them we learn how to represent on earth the spiritual, eternal and heavenly order in all our relations. Are you a father? Fathers can find a model in the Father. Are you a child? Children can find a model in the Son. Are you an employee? An employee can find a model in the true Slave and learn how heavenly standards can be put into practice. Are you an employer? An employer can find a model in the heavenly Master and learn how to be a master in accordance with heavenly standards. He is not a Master from Whom comes a threat that He will punish every bad move of his slaves.

In Ruth 2 we have a beautiful example. There you see with Boaz a good relationship between a master and his servants. That appears from his greeting: “Boaz … said to the reapers: “May the LORD be with you.” And they said to him, “May the LORD bless you”” (Rth 2:4) and also from what is said further. You do not see a boss there who approaches his workers with threats and whom the workers fear. Both master and servants consider the Lord in their greeting.

Boaz also shows that with him there is “no partiality”. He took pity on Ruth, the Moabitess, who belonged to a cursed nation (Deu 23:3). By this he illustrates strikingly how the “Master in heaven” deals with such situations.

The addition ‘in heaven’ shows in a special way the majesty of that Master. How great the appearance of an earthly master can be, it pales completely compared to that!

Now read Ephesians 6:5-9 again.

Reflection: How can a slave let the heavenly light shine in his often pitiful circumstances?