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

Advice for Slaves and Masters

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear, trembling, and sincerity, as when you obey[a] the Messiah.[b] Do not do this only while you’re being watched in order to please them, but be like slaves of the Messiah,[c] who are determined to obey God’s will. Serve willingly, as if you were serving the Lord and not merely people,[d] because you know that everyone will receive a reward from the Lord for whatever good he has done, whether he is a slave or free.

Masters, treat your slaves[e] the same way. Do not threaten them, for you know that both of you have the same Master in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 6:5 Lit. as to
  2. Ephesians 6:5 Or Christ
  3. Ephesians 6:6 Or Christ
  4. Ephesians 6:7 Lit. as to the Lord and not people
  5. Ephesians 6:9 Lit. treat them