Ephesians 6:5-9
Expanded Bible
Slaves and Masters
5 ·Slaves [Bondservants], obey your ·masters here on earth [human masters; L masters according to the flesh; Col. 3:22; 1 Pet. 2:18–25] with ·respect [fear] and ·fear [trembling] and from a sincere heart, ·just as you [or as you would] obey Christ. 6 You must do this not only ·while they are watching you [L with eye-service], ·to please them [L as people-pleasers]. But as ·slaves [bondservants] of Christ, do ·what God wants [God’s will] ·with all your [or from the] heart. 7 Do your work ·with enthusiasm [willingly; cheerfully]. Work as if you were serving the Lord, not people. 8 ·Remember [L …knowing] that the Lord will give ·a reward [or back] to everyone, slave or free, for doing good.
9 Masters, treat your slaves the same way. Do not threaten them. Remember that the One who is your Master and their Master is in heaven, and he ·treats everyone alike [has no favorites; shows no favoritism].
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Ephesians 6:5-9
Amplified Bible
5 [a]Slaves, be obedient to those who are your earthly masters, with respect for authority, and with a sincere heart [seeking to please them], as [service] to Christ— 6 not in the way of eye-service [working only when someone is watching you and only] to please men, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart; 7 rendering service with goodwill, as to the Lord, and not [only] to men, 8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive this back from the Lord, whether [he is] slave or free.
9 You masters, do the same [showing goodwill] toward them, and give up threatening and abusive words, knowing that [He who is] both their true Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with Him [regardless of one’s earthly status].
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- Ephesians 6:5 Slavery was common in New Testament times (as well as in ancient Israel). One might become a slave through conquest, the commission of a crime, or destitution. Slaves were required to do their masters’ bidding and work without compensation (cf Luke 17:7-10). Elsewhere Paul advises slaves not to dwell on their circumstances, and to earn their freedom if they can (1 Cor 7:21). The admonitions here accurately reflect the slave/master relationship in the Roman Empire; since they were not compensated, slaves sometimes did only what they had to do to avoid punishment, and masters could be cruel disciplinarians.
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