Keraia
Ephesians 6

Ephesians 6:5

Serving with Honor · Ephesians 6:5–9
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Translations

Modern
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
Traditional
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
Literal
Slaves, obey the masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling, in sincerity of your heart, as to Christ,
Latin
Servi, obedite dominis carnalibus cum timore et tremore, in simplicitate cordis vestri, sicut Christo:

Original

Greek
English
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.

Notes

Ephesians 6:5

Obeying human masters shows a Christian slave's service to Christ (see Colossians 3:22–23; 1 Timothy 6:1–2; Titus 2:9–10; 1 Peter 2:18–23).

Ephesians 6:5–9

  • The relationship between slaves and masters (and similarly, between employees and employers) should be guided by their commitment to the Lord and their desire to support each other in Christ. Christian slaves should obey their masters, and Christian masters should treat their slaves kindly (see Colossians 3:22–4:1).

  • Paul was not promoting slavery. Paul was teaching Christians how to live with it as a reality in that culture (for Paul’s views on slavery, see Philemon Book Introduction, "Meaning and Message").

Ephesians 5:21–6:9

Paul provides clear guidance on how believers should interact in a Christian home (see also Colossians 3:18–4:1; 1 Peter 2:18–3:7). Love and respect should define all relationships among believers as a way to show their commitment to the Lord.

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) Slavery The Household

Parallels

Colossians 3:22–25 1 Timothy 6:1–2

People

Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Biblical Concept of Law Flesh Letter to the Ephesians Master Obedience Servant

Topics

Christian Conduct: Fulfilling Domestic Duties Fear of God: Reverence Heart: Renewed: Sincere Rules Servant: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Servants: Duties of, to Masters: To Obey Them Servants: should Serve in Singleness of Heart Servants: should Serve in the Fear of God Servants: should Serve: As the Servants of Christ Sincerity: Servants Must Render Honest Service The Heart: should be Single