Ephesians 6:5-9 “The Christian work ethic”

Introduction:

Paul is continuing his teaching on what it means to be a Spirit-filled believer

A Spirit-filled life is demonstrated in everyday relationships, not just personal faith

Key principle:(Ephesians 5:21) “submitting to one another in the fear of the Lord” 

So far, Paul has addressed relationships within the home:

Husbands and wives

Parents and children

Now, Paul shifts to another important area of life:

The workplace

1. (V5) Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling in sincerity of heart

Context:

Slavery was a reality in Paul’s time, and he did not directly seek to abolish it.

Many Christian servants likely served under Christian masters.

Rather than dismantling the system, Paul focuses on transforming hearts within it.

Principle:

The emphasis is on how believers—even in difficult or unjust situations. walk in the light

Maybe you are in a difficult or unjust situation at work.

You find yourself thinking, “I can’t work for this boss anymore”

Christians ultimately serve Christ, not man

Identity & Witness:

Your witness is not just what you do, but who you are.

Paul models this mindset, repeatedly calling himself a bondservant of Christ (Romans, Philippians, Titus)

Bondservant (Greek: doulos): one fully devoted and at the disposal of a master; also translated as slave or servant.

His identity was rooted in total devotion to Christ.

a) Be obedient to those placed over you

Paul instructs believers to obey earthly authorities in the workplace, its your responsibility

Be obedient is the same word used in Eph 6:1, children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right

This speaks directly to our attitude at work:

Not just outward compliance, but inward respect

Philippians 2:14–15 “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,”

Practical application:

Don’t be the employee who is argumentative

Don’t create division or stir up dissension in the workplace

Avoid speaking negatively about your boss behind their back

Don’t undermine the work that is being done

Paul is saying, Don’t bring harm to the name of Christ by your work ethic, be obedient so your Father in Heaven is glorified

1 Timothy 6:1 “Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed.”

Instead:

Work with integrity

Show respect for authority

Reflect Christ in both attitude and action

Luke 17:9–10 “Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ””

Don’t look for recognition

b) In Sincerity of the heart

Paul shifts from outward obedience to inward motivation

“Sincerity of heart” means:

Genuine, not fake

Working hard even when no one is watching

You are working for the Lord, not for man

You don’t need supervision to do your job well

Your effort doesn’t change based on who’s around

1 Chronicles 29:17 “I know also, my God, that You test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things; and now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here to offer willingly to You.”

c) As to Christ

Not working for man, but your working for the Lord

Your’e in full time ministry because you are serving Christ

Your job may be the only place they will see Christ

Work with a joyful attitude and obedience to Christ

Illustration: Joseph is a clear example of working with sincerity of heart

His circumstances were difficult:

-Sold into slavery

-Falsely accused

-Imprisoned

-Yet in every situation, he remained faithful, in Potiphar’s house:

-He worked diligently and earned trust

When tempted:

-He chose integrity, even when no one was watching

-“How can I sin against God?”

In prison:

-He continued to serve faithfully, despite injustice

1.1 (V6) Not with eye service as men pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart

a) Not with eye service

Eye-service means working only when you are being watched

It is working for praise, not purpose

Putting in effort only when it will be seen or recognized

Eye service produces inconsistency

High effort when leadership is present

Low effort when no one is watching

Illustration: I once worked at a motorcycle dealership in Santa Cruz:

We had an employee who management absolutely loved

-He was one of the original hires of the company

-He was excellent at saying the right things

-And worked hard whenever the boss was in the office

But behind the scenes, it was very different:

-He would come in late and leave early

-He used company supplies for personal use

-When the boss took a day off, he did too

Meanwhile, the work didn’t stop:

-Phones ringing nonstop

-Customers lined up at the counter

-But this employee was nowhere to be found

One day, while putting away parts upstairs, I discovered a pillow and blanket:

-Hidden behind a stack of boxes

-He had been sleeping on company time

Key contrast:

Eye-service says: “I work when people see me.”

Sincerity says: “I work because God sees me.”

b) Not men pleasers

Men-pleasing shifts the focus from God to people:

Prioritizing approval over integrity

Integrity is so important as a Christian in the work place, you’re representing Christ

Often times, we need to make unpopular decisions based on what is right, despite what people may say about us

Man pleasing is rooted in the fear of men

Proverbs 29:25 “The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.”

Men-pleaser:

Overly concerned with recognition

Motivated by praise rather than purpose

Discouraged or frustrated when unnoticed

The result is a divided heart:

Working to impress people instead of honoring God

Galatians 1:10 “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.”

Colossians 3:23 “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,”

Transition: As we shift our focus from outward conduct to inward motivation, we now consider what it truly means to serve as bondservants of Christ, where both our attitude and actions in work are shaped by wholehearted devotion to Him.

c) As Bondservants of Christ

Bondservant (Greek: doulos): one fully devoted and at the disposal of a master; also translated as slave or servant.

Joy in the midst of your work because your working for Christ

Bringing Christ glory because of your service

The Christian worker should not be known for their bad attitude or unwillingness to fulfill the job their paid to do

1) Joy in the midst of your work

When Christ is your true Master, work takes on new meaning:

Even difficult tasks can be done with joy

Even unseen labor becomes valuable

Your joy is no longer dependent on circumstances

Not the job itself, but the One you are serving

2) Bringing Christ glory through your service

Your work becomes an act of worship:

Every task done with excellence reflects Christ

Every attitude of integrity points others to Him

It becomes a testimony of His character through you

1.2 (V7) With good will doing service, as to the Lord and not to men

a) Doing the will of God:

Paul emphasizes the attitude behind our work:

— a willing, eager, and positive heart“With good will” 

Not forced, not grudging, but intentional

Cultural contrast:

In Greek culture, manual labor was often despised

The goal of success was to reach a place where you no longer had to work

But God’s kingdom is different:

Work is not a curse to escape—it is a calling to fulfill

Biblical principle:

Every Christian should be known as a hard worker

Dependable

Diligent

Trustworthy

Key perspective:

You are doing the will of God through your work

“A Spirit-filled believer doesn’t avoid work—he honors God through it.”

1.3 (V8) Knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free

a) Your reward come from the Lord

Your work is not just for a paycheck—it is ultimately for Christ.

Every act of faithfulness, seen or unseen, is noticed by Him.

Earthly recognition may fail, but your heavenly reward never does.

Romans 2:6 “who “will render to each one according to his deeds”:”

Implication:

God repays both good and wrong with perfect justice.

Status does not matter—slave or free, all are accountable to Him.

What you do matters because God sees it all.

2. (V9) And you masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also in heave, and there is no partiality

a) The responsibility of a Christian boss

Lead with Integrity and Care:

“Do the same things to them” — masters are held to the same standard of sincerity, fairness, and service.

A godly leader seeks the welfare of others, not personal gain.

Boaz (Book of Ruth) cared for his workers and responded to their needs with generosity and sensitivity.

Leviticus 25:43 “You shall not rule over him with rigor, but you shall fear your God.”

2. Reject Threat-Based Leadership

“Give up threatening” — intimidation has no place in Christian leadership.

Fear may produce outward compliance, but not genuine faithfulness.

3. Lead Under Authority

“Your own Master is in heaven” — every earthly authority answers to Christ

You will give an account for how you lead

You are called to reflect His character—justice, mercy, and truth

The way you treat others reveals your submission to Him

There is no partiality with God; all stand equal before Him.

Kingdom Order:

Wives submit to husbands

Husbands love as Christ loves the church

Children obey parents

Parents nurture in the Lord

Servants obey as serving Christ

Masters lead as accountable to Christ