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

Slaves and Masters

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.

Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.

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