Slaves and Masters

(A)Slaves, be obedient to those who are your [a]masters according to the flesh, with (B)fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, (C)as to Christ; (D)not [b]by way of [c]eye-service, as (E)people-pleasers, but as (F)slaves of Christ, (G)doing the will of God from the [d]heart. With goodwill [e]render service, (H)as to the Lord, and not to people, (I)knowing that (J)whatever good thing each one does, he will receive this back from the Lord, (K)whether slave or free.

And masters, do the same things to them, and (L)give up threatening, knowing that (M)both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is (N)no partiality with Him.

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 6:5 I.e., earthly masters, as in first-century Roman culture
  2. Ephesians 6:6 Lit according to
  3. Ephesians 6:6 I.e., only when the master is watching
  4. Ephesians 6:6 Lit soul
  5. Ephesians 6:7 Lit rendering

[a]Servants, be obedient unto them that according to the flesh are your [b]masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not in the way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as [c]servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the [d]heart; with good will doing service, as unto the Lord, and not unto men: knowing that whatsoever good thing each one doeth, the same shall he receive again from the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye [e]masters, do the same things unto them, and forbear threatening: knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no respect of persons with him.

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 6:5 Greek Bondservants.
  2. Ephesians 6:5 Greek lords.
  3. Ephesians 6:6 Greek Bondservants.
  4. Ephesians 6:6 Greek soul.
  5. Ephesians 6:9 Greek lords.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect(A) and fear, and with sincerity of heart,(B) just as you would obey Christ.(C) Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ,(D) doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,(E) because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do,(F) whether they are slave or free.

And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours(G) is in heaven, and there is no favoritism(H) with him.

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