Slaves and Masters (Eph. 6:5–9)

Series: Ephesians: Building the ChurchText: Ephesians 6:5–9

By: Shaun Marksbury Date: August 6, 2023

Venue: Living Water Baptist ChurchOccasion: PM Service

Introduction

We’re reading a few words in this passage that gives our current world pause. As such, last week, we tackled a difficult topic — slavery and Scripture. We noted that Scripture condoned specific forms of slavery, but we also noted that it condemned the form of slavery previously practiced in the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Indeed, this very passage challenges the more recent past. As such, even though we’re done away with the institution of slavery in our current culture, the terms “slave” and “master” here still have application today.

Let’s review the Book of Ephesians for a moment. The book starts with a long theological section (chapters one through three), and the other half of the book consists of the practical section. Many of the New Testament epistles have a comparable layout. This communicates a need for us to know and remember the gospel message before hearing and applying the commands of the Christian life.

One of the main directives in this half of the book is 5:18 — “be filled with the Spirit.” Remember that the five following participles (the -ing words) flow from that verse; to be filled with the Holy Spirit means that we’ll be “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,” “singing and making melody” in our hearts “to the Lord,” “always giving thanks for all things,” and (as the ESV translates it) “submitting” to each other” (vv. 19–21).

That last one is an essential element to having Spirit-filled households. Wives submit when they’re subject to their own husbands (v. 22), and husbands when they’re subject to their wives by loving them “just as Christ” (v. 25). The same is true in this chapter with the subjection of children (v. 1) and parents (v. 4). In this text, we see that slaves are commanded to be in subjection to their own masters (6:5), and masters to their slaves (v. 9). All this submission is to be unto the Lord, an expression of being filled with the Holy Spirit.

How does slavery fit in the household codes, though? That is because slaves were “often considered members of the household in Graeco-Roman culture.” Since none of us need to engage in slavery today in order to climb the social ladder or engage in gainful employment, our best application of this is in considering how people are taking care of their families in their place of employment.

In other words, we’re considering how the Holy Spirit fills the employee/employer relationship. So, like with the previous relationships (wives/husbands, children/parents), we can divide this section in two. We see that the Spirit calls slaves to submit (vv. 5–8), but we also see that He calls masters to submit (v. 9). Let’s consider the first of these.

The Spirit calls slaves to submit (vv. 5–8)

Slaves, 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; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

While we’ve officially done away with slavery as an institution, many would liken a need to work to survive to a form of slavery. Indeed, I know I feel that way often with our mortgage, and indeed, “the borrower becomes the lender’s slave” (Prov. 22:7). The inherent greed in the system today is a common complaint, where both employees and employers vie for more wealth. However, there are undeniable blessings to living in our current system.

Our problem isn’t one peculiar to our system. For instance, there’s always some form of hierarchy, which doesn’t have to be a bad affair; that God reigns blesses us immeasurably. Those pushing for the abolition of all power structures advocate anarchy and fail to address the true problem.

The answer certainly isn’t to nix capitalism and embrace socialism, where bureaucratic interests not only trample out human rights, but silence dissenters. Indeed, as one commentary notes, “Revelation 18 suggests that the final Antichrist will come into power through a great worldwide economic system in which virtually all power is centered in the hands of a few elite leaders.” Those who want to promote socialistic or communistic leadership and policies only intensify the problem.

The problem isn’t economics, but human hearts. Scripture presents the issue as one of human relations, how we operate both in our subordinate and superior positions in life. Just as the Holy Spirit gives us instruction in handling our marriages and families, He now provides a corrective for many of our workplace problems.

In fact, we see two authorities in this passage. The Lord calls Christians to be in submission to those in authority (v. 5), while recognizing that there is the True Authority over us all (vv. 6–8). Let’s consider the first point.

He calls Christians to perpetual obedience to those in authority (v. 5)

Slaves, 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;

If you hadn’t noticed, each of these three sections begin with what Roman society would recognize as the subordinate groups — women, children, and slaves. However, in doing so, the apostle treats them in a countercultural way, “as ethically responsible persons (cf. Col. 3:22–25).” He treats them as equals, seated next to one another in Christian churches.

The question is how we choose to live, and here, the believer is called to an ongoing obedience. Scripture calls those who are slaves to be in submission to those over them “according to the flesh” (Col 3:22; 1 Tm 6:1; Ti 2:9). This applies to all believers, for elsewhere we read, “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God” (Rom. 13:1).

As such, Christian obedience is to be perpetual and done “with fear and trembling.” We are not to dread the wrath of earthly masters (the next verse says don’t be men-pleasers). We see an example in Paul, who described his ministry in this way (1 Cor. 2:3) but said he wasn’t trying to please people (Gal. 1:10). Instead, we should be beware to make morally correct choices in the workplace, for the glory of God.

Indeed, we should take care to give those in authority over us proper respect — even those who don’t deserve it (cf. 1 Pet. 2:18). Otherwise, we might allow bitterness to consume us, prompting insubordinate and other unchristian attitudes. If, however, we realize that those over us act like they don’t know the Lord because they don’t, then we respond with trepidation, wanting to be a faithful witness and servant of the Lord to them.

Christian, you are to obey “in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ.” In other words, we should seek to do this with a pure motive in your heart, seeking the good of your neighbor and primarily, the will of the Lord. In this way, you’re seeking to avoid doublemindedness in work, which Paul further defines in the next verse.

So, your work ethic ultimately comes down to worship. As O’Brien notes, the “distinction between the sacred and the secular breaks down. Any and every task, however menial, falls within the sphere of his lordship and is done in order to please him.” That brings us to the next point.

He calls Christians to perpetual obedience to True Authority (vv. 6–8)

not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

This is a larger section, but much of what we needed to note, we have. Still, there’s an essential truth that we must recognize here. Christians are all slaves of Christ. Unbelievers may be slaves to other men, or to their lusts, but the Christian has a higher allegiance.

We all tend to work a little harder when we know we’re being observed. Eyeservice is serving just to be seen, and our being men-pleasers is misdirected motives. We should instead seek the Lord’s help in cultivating a consistent attitude of the heart, regardless of whether our earthly master is present. In this way, we will be serving in sincerity of heart, as the previous verse says.

As Paul said in Col 3:22, “Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.” He also challenges us to not do what we do for the sake of people, but for the Lord (Gal. 1:10). As the Book of Proverbs notes, the fear of man is a snare (Prov. 29:25). The real aim of our obedience isn’t people, but Christ.

The problem is that we define ourselves based on earthly relationships, not based on our relationship with the Lord. Paul rightly called himself a bond-servant or a doulos, a slave of Christ, the same term used here (Rom. 1:1; Philip. 1:1). This enslavement is true of all Christians, and the paradox is, as one commentary notes, that “this latter slavery is the highest human freedom.”

As such, Christians should not just be serving their earthly masters. In all they do, they should be “doing the will of God from the heart.” This is how we are to love God (Matt. 22:37; Mark 12:30). As Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.” Christians are slaves of Christ, and so, we must also see ourselves as His servants.

In v. 9, we read, “With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men.” We are not serving other people ultimately, but Christ. Of course, we should be concerned with the needs and even demands of others. Still, if it is not service to the Lord, it is not good will service. It should manifest in our lives as a benevolent and caring attitude, perhaps even eagerness to render service. As Paul said in Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.”

Consider how this leads into the next verse. In v. 8, we read, “knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.” Each person in here is building an account with the Lord for good, and He takes note. Sometimes we focus on the bad that we do, but here, the Lord promises good!

This doesn’t mean that there won’t still be trials. There is no prosperity gospel, that believers will be free from all their earthly enslavements. However, we know that one day, “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10).

This is true, by the way, “whether slave or free.” The truth of Scripture is that we are all one in Christ (1 Cor 12:13; Col 3:11). The implicit in this verse becomes explicit in v. 9, that there is no partiality in God. He doesn’t lean toward the master or toward the slave. Let’s consider that now.

The Spirit calls masters to also submit (v. 9)

And 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.

Again, Paul addressed the slaves first and then their masters. We’ll notice in this verse that masters who may have been nodding in agreement with the instructions to slaves now stand still. The Lord calls masters to the same obedience as all Christians. He also calls them to rule properly and impartially. Let’s consider that first point.

He calls masters to the same obedience as all Christians

Note that the Lord says, “do the same things to them.” This means that every command for slaves in vv. 5–8 applies now to masters. So, in v. 5, there must be mutual submission. So, in the case that tradition records of Onesimus serving as the elder of Philemon’s church, Philemon (the master) must now be submissive. In other cases, where there is no relationship in which masters should be submissive to their slaves, they still must provide for them to avoid tempting them to become un-submissive, leading “with fear and trembling,” with sincerity of heart, “as to Christ.”

Similarly, in v. 6, masters are not to lead “by way of eyeservice,” just in visible ways that their slaves would see. Masters are not called to be “men-pleasers” but “slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. Moreover, in v. 7, masters are to “render service” to their slaves, providing for their needs “with good will… as to the Lord, and not to men.” We see this further expounded in the following words.

He calls masters to proper rule

He tells masters to “give up threatening.” The Law tells them, “You shall not rule over him with severity, but are to revere your God” (Lev. 25:43). As such, masters should see their own role as one given by God and to be used as an opportunity for ministry. At the very least, they shouldn’t tempt slaves to sin by encouraging the fear of man or disobedient behavior through their unreasonableness.

In a culture that commonly saw slaves as chattel, property a little above livestock, this would have been unconventional. Masters commonly beat their disobedient slaves, harassed them sexually, and sometimes even killed them. However, the Lord calls masters to treat their slaves with dignity, as fellow human beings.

He calls masters to impartiality before Christ

Note how the verse ends: “knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.” Similarly, Paul said in Col 4:1, “Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.” Because the master has authority, he should conduct his affairs with justice. He should interact with his subordinates impartially, knowing he’s also a slave of the impartial Heavenly Master (cf. Acts 10:34; Rom. 2:11; James 2:9). He shouldn’t become arrogant due to his position, looking down on his subordinates, but should instead lead by serving others (Matt. 20:27).

Conclusion

This would have completely transformed the slavery that existed in the ancient world (as well as the American brand). Again, this is a stake in the heart of the great Atlantic slave trade. There’s no partiality, so there can be no race-based slavery. Slaves and masters are equals in Christ.

Even so, that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t still have a work environment where there are subordinates and those who are in charge. There’s nothing wrong with the existence of wealth or profit, but both the employer and the employee should submit to Christ’s overarching authority in their commerce. Where one or the other is an unbeliever, the Christian should take extra care to fulfill the will of the Lord, and there should certainly exist symmetry for all to see when both are converts. All should be done for the glory of God.

Of course, this is the ideal, but we often fail in our relationships. Thankfully, God forgives us in Christ for our many transgressions against a proper work ethic. Where we find ourselves weak, we can find strength in the Holy Spirit to help us fulfill His will. Rely on His grace to work and to will, not the sweat of your own brow!