Eph 6:5-9 | PNT | STEP | Servants . The term does not refer so much to hired servants, as slaves, of whom there were many millions in the Roman Empire at that time. These were of all races, prisoners taken in war, or their children. Christianity did not violently destroy this relation, but regulated, mitigated and undermined it by introducing a new element into human life which would destroy it. Masters according to the flesh . Earthly masters whose dominion will go no farther than this world. With fear and trembling . Not for fear of punishment, but for fear that the service is not done right. In singleness of your heart, as unto Christ . Christ will see and reward your fidelity to duty, even if an earthly master does not.

Ephesians 6:5-9

Servants. The term does not refer so much to hired servants, as slaves, of whom there were many millions in the Roman Empire at that time. These were of all races, prisoners taken in war, or their children. Christianity did not violently destroy this relation, but regulated, mitigated and undermined it by introducing a new element into human life which would destroy it.

Masters according to the flesh. Earthly masters whose dominion will go no farther than this world.

With fear and trembling. Not for fear of punishment, but for fear that the service is not done right.

In singleness of your heart, as unto Christ. Christ will see and reward your fidelity to duty, even if an earthly master does not. Not with eye-service, as men-pleasers. Service that seems faithful when under the eye of the master, but relaxes when he does not see. Such is the usual service of slaves, unless they have a high sense of duty. With good will doing service. With a well disposed mind towards the master.

As to the Lord, and not to men. It pleases the Lord, whatever may be the relations of life, for us to do our service well. We may engage in very lowly duties to the glory of the Lord. Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, etc. If a man renders good service anywhere, whether he be bond or free, the Lord will see that he is rewarded. And ye masters. The Roman law allowed masters to treat their slaves as brute beasts, to abuse and even to murder them. But Christianity at once put Christian masters under restraint.

Do the same things unto them. Act on the same principles towards them, that the Lord requires of them towards you. There must be mutual good will and mutual service.

Forbearing threatening. The habit of cruel masters.

Knowing that your Master also is in heaven. That you have a Master who sees you, to whom your slave is just as dear as you are, and who will hold you to account if you wrong him.