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· ho Slaves, obey hypakouō your ho earthly kata sarx masters kyrios with meta fear phobos and kai trembling tromos, with en sincerity haplotēs of ho your hymeis heart kardia, as hōs though obeying · ho Christ Christos, not by way of kata eye-service ophthalmodoulia, as hōs people-pleasers anthrōpareskos, but alla as hōs slaves of Christ Christos doing poieō the ho will thelēma of ho God theos from ek the heart psychē, serving douleuō with meta enthusiasm eunoia as hōs though serving the ho Lord kyrios and kai not ou men anthrōpos, knowing oida that hoti each hekastos person , if ean he does poieō something tis good agathos, will be repaid komizō by para the Lord kyrios for this houtos, whether eite he is a slave or eite free eleutheros. And kai · ho masters kyrios, do poieō the ho same autos to pros them autos, giving up the use aniēmi of · ho threats apeilē, knowing oida that hoti the ho one who is both kai their autos master kyrios and kai yours hymeis is eimi in en heaven ouranos, and kai that there is eimi no ou favoritism prosōpolēmpsia with para him autos.

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[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— 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; rendering service with goodwill, as to the Lord, and not [only] to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive this back from the Lord, whether [he is] slave or free.

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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Footnotes

  1. 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.