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Slaves and Masters

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect[a] and trembling, in singleness of heart, as you obey Christ,(A) not with a slavery performed merely for looks, to please people, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the soul. Render service with enthusiasm, as for the Lord and not for humans, knowing that whatever good we do, we will receive the same again from the Lord, whether we are enslaved or free.

And, masters,[b] do the same to them. Stop threatening them, for you know that both of you have the same Lord[c] in heaven, and with him there is no partiality.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 6.5 Or fear
  2. 6.9 In Gk the same word is used for master and Lord
  3. 6.9 In Gk the same word is used for master and Lord

Bondservants and Masters

(A)Bondservants,[a] obey your earthly masters[b] with fear and trembling, (B)with a sincere heart, (C)as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as (D)people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, (E)knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, (F)whether he is a bondservant or is free. Masters, do the same to them, (G)and stop your threatening, knowing that (H)he who is both their Master[c] and yours is in heaven, and that (I)there is no partiality with him.

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 6:5 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; also verse 6; likewise for bondservant in verse 8
  2. Ephesians 6:5 Or your masters according to the flesh
  3. Ephesians 6:9 Greek Lord