A Servant Heart

Introduction:

Today’s text will wrap up Paul’s instruction on what many commentators refer to as the household code. This series of instruction related to three specific relationships that may exist within the household. This particular instruction was initiated in Eph 5:21

Ephesians 5:21 ESV

submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

If you recall the idea we have been trying to capture throughout this series is the idea of “True Christianity.” Paul lays out very clear instruction on what it looks like for the Christian to walk the life of faith in Jesus. His clarity is in sharp contrast to how the rest of the world walks.

Illustration:

Let me ask you all a very practical question. What can you tell me about how you walk? I mean literally walk. Do you know how long of a step you take? How far do your arms swing forward or backward while walking? Do you walk on your toes or does your heel strike first? Seems silly but in the military you find there are very clear instructions on everything and as a member of the military you are to look and act like a member of the military and not like the rest of the world. There is a manual for how to march. According to that manual when marching the service member will take a 30 inch step, your arms swing 9in to the front and 6in to the rear, with elbows slightly bent, chest out, eyes forward, hands closed, and walk at a pace of 120 steps per minute.

Now if you have ever seen a group of service members marching in formation then you recognize quickly they are doing something different then the rest of the world. In fact often even if you see individual soldiers walking alone you recognize something a little different about the way they walk.

In many ways Paul has been writing to express something very similar to the church at Ephesus and not only to them but for all the church for all time. When you walk, not physically walk, but as you navigate and negotiate life you should look very different then the rest of the world. He addresses that on a personal basis beginning in ch4 but then also begins to teach on how your relationships should look different as well.

Proposition:

Regardless of your position in life you are called, as Christians, to serve God by way of serving others.

One’s position in life does not define their position before Christ. One’s position before Christ should absolutely determine how you walk through this life.

In other words… your primary goal in life is not to improve your position, your primary goal is service to God through service to others. That is not to say that imrpoving one’s position is wrong or bad, it is just not the singular or even primary focus of the Christian, or at least it should not be.

Text:

Ephesians 6:5–9 (ESV): 5 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. 9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

Doulos - Slave, Servant, or Bondservant:

Depending on the translation you are reading the first word in Eph 6:5 may vary.

Bondservant - ESV

Slave - NIV, NASB95, NRSV

Servant - KJV1900

So what’s the deal? Why are they not all the same? Does it even matter?

Anytime we open our bible and begin to read it is always important to consider the context. Context drives much of the translation as well as interpretation of the scriptures. A major part of understanding the context is understanding the practices, institutions, and cultures that were common in the Ancient Near East during the time the text was written.

The Hebrew word EBED and the Greek word DOULOS both translate literally to slave. Simply put a slave is defined as a “Person owned as property by another.” (Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible, 1971.) However the context of which the word is being employed will determine the English translation., because the context covers a wide range of relationships. Since we typically teach from the ESV and that is the translation I am reading today I will give examples that are specific to the ESV.

There are cases in which absolute slavery was pictured. Joseph was sold into slavery, or absolute ownership, by his brothers (Gen 37:25-28). Absolute ownership is also in view in Romans 6 where doulos is translated as “slave.” Where a more limited form of servitude was in view the word “bondservant” is employed as in 1 Cor 7:21-24. Finally where the context indicates an even wider range of freedom the word “servant” is employed (John 4:51).

You may become a slave for many reasons in the ancient world both involuntary and voluntary. Involuntary means may include birth, capture, or judicial. Voluntary means may include to escape poverty or to pay off debt. Generally bondservant envisions the latter. During the time of the New Testament in the Greek and Roman world it has been estimated that 1 out of every 2 people were slaves. Others estimate 1/3 of the population were slaves while another 1/3 had been slaves while only 1/3 had always been free. Either way the numbers aren’t positive.

It is also generally accepted among scholars that much of the slavery during this time would fall under the term of bondservant. One who voluntarily gives up his rights to another primarily to survive. You may willingly enter into this type of servitude to provide for your family. This would parallel the idea of indentured servitude. By voluntarily entering servanthood, the “master” not only takes ownership but responsibility, providing for the basic needs of you and your family such as food, shelter, clothing, and medical.

We must also address the fact that for most in our society the term “slave” carries specific connotations. Most envision the Atlantic slave trade of 18th 19th century America. The very dehumanizing slave trade that targeted a specific race forcing people into hard labor and oppressive environments without the hope of ever being free again. That is not what is in view with the biblical writers.

While slavery of any kind was not and is not the ideal lifestyle, it was a reality of life. Paul employs this term in a positive manner in many cases. In Romans, Philippians, and Titus Paul labels himself a “doulas” of Jesus Christ. Here in Ephesians its usage is not intended to disparage but identify one’s position in a relationship. Paul is not trying to reform the culture or abolish the act of slavery, because what he is speaking of is not what we tend to envision of slavery. That is not to say that all slavery in the ancient world was kind and loving. In many cases it was a very harsh reality that treated human beings as property devaluing their worth as image-bearers of God. I am simply delineating from the context of its usage here in Ephesians and our most recent historical context in America.

Submission

Ephesians 6:5 ESV

Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ,

Obedience and submission remain the primary overtone in this relationship within the household as with husbands/wives and parents/children.

Paul has done something unique in each of these 3 relationships. The temptation when reading these passages is to think that Paul is emphasizing the one who is in submission and ultimately Paul is putting them in their place. However, I think Paul is approaching this from a different position altogether. What Paul is doing by beginning with the submissive position is giving value to this relationship. It would be very uncommon in the Ancient world for anyone to write or address anything to wives, children, or servants.

The world would consider these positions/relationships less than, and would not deem it necessary to address them in any manner. Paul I think flips that by addressing them first, and by likewise following up with clear instructing to the other in the relationship. The same is true in this final discourse on households. Paul is acknowledging the value and worth of the slave by positioning his address to them first.

The setting begins in vs5 with ones earthly position in life but by the end we will see that Paul shifts to an eternal, heavenly setting. Bondservants your rightful responsibility is to obey, not begrudgingly but with fear and trembling. A phrase generally reserved for one’s position before God. You approach God with fear and trembling, with reverence and respect. “With a sincere heart.” Paul’s concern is not simply a matter of behavior but of the condition of the heart of the Ephesus church regardless of their position in life. “As sincere heart” pictures pure motives, godly intent, not selfish gain. But approach your master in same manner in which you would approach Christ. Why? Because you are slave? No because of Ephesians 5:21 “submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

Ephesians 6:6 ESV

not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,

Paul continues… “not by way of eye-service” you have all interacted with someone who doesn’t like to work but the second the boss comes around or they have an audience they jump into action to make sure they are seen. Paul discourages this behavior. That is not befitting of the true Christian regardless of their position in life.

You were not placed on this earth to be a people-pleaser. If you enter into relationships of any kind with the posture of a bondservant of Christ, you will please the Lord and in many cases please those you are serving as well. Paul began with an earthly setting but he is already shifting the setting to the heavenly realm. He is adjusting the perspective from temporal to eternal.

The final phrase of vs6… “doing the will of God from the heart.” So what is the will of God? Is slavery the will of God? Of course not. Again context matters. God does not condone or promote slavery of the very beings that were made in his image. He delivered Israel from slavery to Egypt. The Mosaic law regulated how a master was to treat their servants. They were to treat them with dignity as fellow image bearers, and one was not to remain in servanthood for life.

So what is the will of God? What Paul has in view here is not a temporal position in life but an eternal position of the heart. The will of God is service to God. Honoring him with your life. Walking differently than the rest of the world to display his glory to people who are from him. Making disciples of all nations whether as a common slave or leader of the free world.

The will of God does not change. The problem generally is when we consider the will of God, we consider it only from our position in life. God I want to work somewhere else, live somewhere else, have different relationships, make more money, have nicer things, experience more freedom. Which really is not considering the will of God but considering our own will and hoping to coax God into fulfilling our will.

Ephesians 6:7 ESV

rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man,

Here we see once again the attitude of which the servant serves. With good will, and the third and final as to statement. “As to the Lord.” Remember Paul is writing to Christians in the city of Ephesus that make up the church of Ephesus. To walk the true life of Christianity walk this way.

Ephesians 6:8 ESV

knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.

Your position makes no difference. The actions you take within your position makes a great deal of difference. What is done in service to the Lord will be received back from the Lord whether slave or free, either in this life or the life to come.

Ephesians 6:9 ESV

Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

Finally Paul addresses masters. His remarks are brief and direct. “Do the same to them.” What does this mean? Well I think Ephesians 5:21 “submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” answers this question. Now is Paul calling them to trade positions? No certainly not. How do we know? Who is called Master in scripture? Jesus right. In fact he is often referred to in the Gospels as master by his disciples. First of all did they feel disparaged by referring to him as master. No, they were honored to devote their lives to his service.

As Master how did Jesus treat his disciples? Well right? In John 13 just days before Jesus would go to the cross the Master washes the feet of his disciples. Setting the model for service in the kingdom of heaven. The servant is not greater than the master and if the master is willing to do the task of a servant how much more should the servant serve.

Did this episode mean that Jesus was no longer the master and the disciples/servants become the master? No that’s ridiculous. “Do the same to them” is not positional in nature but is likewise a reflection of the condition of the heart of the master. In this case there are both masters and bondservants living together in the Ephesians church. Both have a responsibility to service in honor of God and in neither case does it determine their lot in this life. Rather it identifies them as walking with the True Master who Paul then goes on to address.

Whether slave or free as true Christians we all serve one Master, who is in heaven. He shows no partiality. His actions are determined by one central decision. Do you live in submission to him, or in rebellion to his position as Master and Lord over all.

Conclusion

I don’t think I need to go into great detail to connect the dots from ancient practices of bondservants and the modern work force. Most of us have someone we work for, we may not live on their property, or take care of their household chores, but we do conduct business on their behalf. Often many are living indebted to someone financially and dependent on another to provide for the welfare of their family.

The point is not about your position in life. There is nothing wrong with improving your position in life. But whether you find yourself in the position of slave or free, employer or employee, blue collar or white collar, husband or wife, child or parent, in power or powerless, with great influence or none at all, recognized wherever you go or never seen. Your position in life has nothing to do with your standing before the Lord. Christ sees all and knows all. The posture of a true Christian is servitude, with a pure heart, “Submitting to one another as to the Lord.”

Does that define how you are currently walking through life? Do others see you negotiating life in a different manner in the rest of the world, or does your walk mimic the rest of society? The condition of your heart will be revealed in your response to these challenging texts. What is it revealing?