Justice, Mercy, Humility

Ephesians 6:5–9

Ephesians 6:5–9 “Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as you would Christ. Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, do God’s will from your heart. Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to people, knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord. And masters, treat your slaves the same way, without threatening them, because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.”

Historical Context & Rightly Handling the Text

I won’t try to give an academic-level teaching on the nature of slavery in the ancient Greco-Roman context, and frankly, I’m not qualified to do so. If this topic interests you, I encourage you to explore it further on your own. What I’m sharing is a combination of existing knowledge and some basic research done within a limited timeframe.

Note that most often in the bible, the terms "slave" and "servant" can be used interchangeably. Additionally, it's important to note that slavery in the ancient world is not easily comparable to the American slavery we might be more familiar with, as there were significant differences. The nature of slavery back then covered a broad spectrum, varying from one slave to another and one master to another. In some cases, it did indeed resemble the harsh conditions of American slavery. But in other instances, it was more akin to a modern-day domestic worker or even a respected executive administrator. Regardless of their role, slaves were legally considered property and had no rights or legal protections.

The roles slaves performed varied widely, from manual labor to skilled tasks like tutoring children, managing estates, or serving as administrators for wealthy households. Some slaves, especially those engaged in grueling work in mines or on large estates, endured harsh and brutal conditions. Their life expectancy was often short due to dangerous working environments, poor treatment, and inadequate nourishment.

Household slaves, on the other hand, could experience significantly different treatment. Slaves who worked as tutors, accountants, or household managers were often valued for their skills. They were sometimes educated and had responsibilities that afforded them a degree of respect within the household. These slaves even could have more healthy relationships with their masters and expeirnce a mutually loving relationship. Moreover, household slaves could even earn their freedom, and when they did, it wasn’t a limited or conditional freedom like what existed in the Jim Crow South; they became fully integrated members of society, and they sometimes even maintained lasting relationships with their former masters.

In many sermons on Ephesians 6:5–9, Paul's instructions to slaves are often compared to how we should approach our modern workplaces. While there are some valuable lessons to draw from this approach, we must acknowledge that this was not Paul's original intent. He was speaking to a specific group in a particular historical context—slaves who faced a reality vastly different from what we experience in our jobs today. In fact, I would argue that equating the struggles of those slaves with the challenges of modern work is not only misguided but also dishonors and disrespects the harsh realities they endured.

To be faithful to the text and the broader narrative of Scripture, we must acknowledge the historical circumstances of slavery in Paul's time. His instructions were not an endorsement of the institution but rather a call for integrity and faithful living within the realities that existed. When we consider Paul's other writings, there is even a case to be made that his teachings subtly encourage the eventual abolition of slavery.

Recall from previous weeks how Paul challenged husbands to turn from coldness to genuine love for their wives, and fathers to shift from viewing children as expendable property, even subject to lawful execution, to seeing them as beloved, cherished, and nurtured. In this passage, Paul similarly undermines the institution of slavery. His command to "masters, treat your slaves the same way" (v. 9) was radical in a society where slaves were considered mere property. By appealing to the equality of all people under one Master in heaven, Paul hints at a deeper, subversive ethic that challenges the social norms of his time.

With this understanding, how can we apply the passage more faithfully to our lives today?

In light of today's text and the larger narrative of the gospel, I suggest that our challenge is to pursue justice, love mercy, and walk humbly, advocating for freedom and dignity wherever we encounter oppression.

Exhortation to Seek Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly

The consistent message of Scripture is that God’s heart is for justice, mercy, and liberation. The Old Testament laws, prophetic writings, and poetry reveal a God who cares deeply about the oppressed and who commands His people to act justly. The Year of Jubilee, for instance, illustrates God’s commitment to economic and social restoration, while the prophets frequently call for justice on behalf of the poor, the widow, and the foreigner.

In the New Testament, Jesus, at the same time, both fulfills and extends these themes. His ministry embodies the mission of setting the oppressed free and healing the broken. The church, as His body, is called to continue this work by advocating for justice, mercy, and liberation in all areas of life. The radical inclusivity and equality expressed in passages like Galatians 3:28 and the instructions in James to show no favoritism reflect a kingdom ethic that challenges social hierarchies and calls for the restoration of all people.

When we hear phrases like "the already, not yet," the focus is often on the future fulfillment of Christ's mission. It’s usually framed as, "I know life is hard now, but one day it will be better," or, "I know we’re broken by sin now, but one day we’ll experience perfect reconciliation." There are certainly elements of beautiful truths in these statements, and we rightly draw hope from them; I’m even going to go back to this concept in my conclusion this morning. However, can I suggest to you this morning that the gospel is meant to be good news not only for the future but also for today?

My conviction is that the gospel's broader narrative is not limited to spiritual salvation—though it is certainly not less than that. It also encompasses holistic restoration in the present, bringing freedom and justice to every dimension of human life. This grand story invites believers to actively engage in God's mission by working for justice and mercy wherever there is oppression.

The Great Commission is not merely about sharing the good news; it’s about bringing the good news, participating in the good news, and embodying the good news.

Consider Micah 6:8 which highlights that God's expectations for His people include actively working for justice, kindness, and humility in the here and now, not just in anticipation of future fulfillment.: “Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.”

Consider Isaiah 61:1–2 which Jesus quotes in in Luke 4: I beleive to illustrate that His mission included the present reality of setting captives free and bringing healing, not just future hope: “The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of our God’s vengeance; to comfort all who mourn,”

Consider Luke 17:20–21 where Jesus made it clear that the kingdom of God was already present among His followers, indicating that the benefits of His kingdom are not only for the future but also accessible now: “When he was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming with something observable; no one will say, ‘See here!’ or ‘There!’ For you see, the kingdom of God is in your midst.””

Consider Matthew 6:10 “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”, the Lord's Prayer, where Jesus taught His disciples to pray for God's will to be done on earth now, emphasizing the call for believers to seek justice, mercy, and righteousness in the present.

Consider James 2:14–17 where we see the clear teaching that faith must manifest in tangible actions, address current needs, thereby reflecting the immediate impact of the gospel on everyday life.: “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can such faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it? In the same way faith, if it does not have works, is dead by itself.”

And finally, consider that the ultimate act of God's justice and liberation is found in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, where God demonstrated the depth of His love and commitment to setting His people free. In Christ’s sacrifice, we see a God who would not even withhold His own Son, offering Him as a spotless lamb to be slain for the sake of our redemption. This act goes beyond addressing our individual sins; it confronts the very powers of darkness, breaking the chains of systemic evil and oppression. Through the cross, God not only forgives our transgressions but also dismantles the structures of sin that enslave humanity, declaring victory over every form of bondage. In the resurrection, we find the promise of new life and the assurance that God's justice will prevail, not just for us personally, but for all creation.

To conclude this point, let’s zoom back out to the broader context of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. As I’ve been emphasizing, one of Paul's main priorities in this epistle is to show us that, through the Holy Spirit’s miraculous work in our hearts, we are transformed by the new birth. We move from a state of spiritual death to a new nature—a nature that partakes in the divine nature and grants us union with God.

Paul illustrates this just a few verses earlier by comparing it to the union of husband and wife, who share the same essence and become one flesh. Similarly, when we are reborn, we take on a new nature that shares in the very essence of God, making us one with Christ.

The parallel I’m drawing here is this: God’s heart beats for justice, mercy, and liberation, and He calls us to reflect these attributes in our lives. But He doesn’t stop at the call; He also empowers His people through divine power, enabling us to co-labor with Him and live out this calling. We clearly see what God has called us to, and we also clearly see that He has made a way for us to accomplish it.

With this in mind, let's stay within the context of today’s message and move toward a brief and practical “call to action.”

Call to Action

Please be gracious with me and don’t read into my words what I’m not saying. I am not making blanket statements against capitalism, I am not referencing critical race theory or endorsing any particular ideology, and I am not getting political or prescribing specific methods. However, in light of the message I've just shared, I want us to recognize that many forms of exploitation and "slavery" still exist—across the world, in our country, in our state, and even in our own city. Some of these are obvious; others are more hidden.

Consider the exploitation of children in various industries like agriculture, mining, or manufacturing, where they endure hazardous conditions and are denied an education. Think about the abuse and trafficking of individuals, particularly women and children, for commercial sex or pornography, often through coercion or manipulation. There are also migrant workers who are forced into domestic servitude, working in private households under exploitative conditions with little or no pay and limited freedom. Even within our prison systems, inmates can be subjected to labor with minimal compensation, often for the benefit of private companies. Vulnerable migrant populations, in general, face exploitation through low wages, unsafe working conditions, and threats of deportation, often with no legal recourse or protection.

Human trafficking, forced labor, systemic poverty, and other forms of exploitation are present all around us, and as Christians, this should matter deeply to us. God hates injustice and oppression, and we are called to hate these things too. Pray and seek God’s direction on how He might be calling you to act as an agent of reconciliation in these areas. Your response could be more passive, such as choosing not to buy certain products, or donating to organizations that fight exploitation. It could also be more hands-on, involving direct action. You can make a meaningful impact by partnering with existing local organizations. You could connect with groups like End Slavery Tennessee to support anti-trafficking efforts, or join forces with shelters such as the Nashville Rescue Mission to aid the homeless. You can also volunteer with organizations like World Relief Nashville to support immigrants and refugees. You could encourage ethical consumer choices, get involved in advocacy for vulnerable populations, or participate in skills training programs for at-risk individuals, I believe the community center at Rolling Hills down the street has much of this available that you can partner with.

My point is that when we encounter these injustices face-to-face, they should be radically offensive to our very core—something we are prepared to stand against. Caring deeply for these things is the way of Jesus.

As we labor for justice now, we must also recognize the tension between the "already" and the "not yet" of God's kingdom. The gospel indeed brings real change and liberation in our present circumstances, but it doesn't promise to resolve all injustices immediately. Our efforts for justice are often met with resistance, setbacks, and the limitations imposed by a world still marred by sin. Yet, this awareness should not lead us to despair. Instead, it sustains our hope, reminding us that while our work may seem incomplete, God’s final restoration is certain. The small victories we see today are glimpses of the ultimate victory to come, encouraging us to persevere. We labor faithfully, not because we expect to fix everything now, but because we trust in the One who will one day make all things new. And we pray, come, Lord Jesus. Let’s pray.