 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
More Ephesians commentaries
Ephesians 3:1-6
Missionary to the Gentiles
Ephesians 3:7-13
Mystery of God’s grace
Ephesians 3:14-21
Prayer for God’s power and love
Ephesians 4:1-6
Spiritual unity
Ephesians 4:7-16
Gifts from the Risen Messiah
Ephesians 4:17-22
Walk as a new person in Christ
Ephesians 4:23-29
Be holy and not sinful
Ephesians 4:30-32
Grieving God’s Spirit by the way we live
Ephesians 5:1-7
Who do you try to imitate?
Ephesians 5:8-14
Walk as children of Light
Ephesians 5:15-21
Evidences of a Spirit-filled life
Ephesians 5:22-24
How to be submissive in our relationships
Ephesians 5:25-33
Instructions to husbands
Ephesians 6:1-4
Training children to obey
Ephesians 6:5-9
Living under authority
© Family Times | About Us | Donate | Contact Us
Search for sermons by: Commentaries | Scripture search | Topics
Living under authority
Ephesians 6:5–9
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
Paul knew that he would win more friends by being a servant. Acts 27 and 28 tells how Paul was under arrest; traveling under Roman guard when the veteran missionary was shipwrecked on the island of Malta. It was a very cold day and “Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks....&q … More
Paul is this Ephesian passage is telling servants to be obedient because they are really serving Christ and because doing a good job is the will of God (vv. 5-7). Slaves played a significant part in this society. There were probably over 6 million slaves in the Roman Empire in that day and slavery was an accepted institution. Because many slaves and owners had become Christians, the early church had to deal straightforwardly with the questions of master/slave relationships. The Lord is the true master in heaven and He will be the rewarder (v. 8). Slaves were to obey their master not just when they were being watched but all the time with inner motivation from the heart. They were to be obedient not only to the good and gentle masters but also those that were harsh (I Peter 2:18). And the Masters were to be an example to the servants and treat them justly and fairly (Colossians 4:1). Therefore, both servants and masters that are seeking to please the Lord should be motivated by Christ to do their best to please Him.
Slave owners were to treat their slaves with this same respect and not to threaten them (v. 9). They have the same Master in heaven, and He doesn’t have any favorites. Jesus said the way to be a ruler is first to be a servant (Matt. 25:21). Some examples of great men that were servants before God made them rulers in the Bible were: Joseph, Moses, Joshua and Nehemiah. Jesus said,"And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant” (Matt. 20:27). Therefore, we see that after a man becomes a leader, it is important that he leads by serving.Application
I need to be leaning to serve others rather than looking for how others can serve me? Lord help me to look for people that I can help to be saved or to grow in the Lord.
Ephesians 6:5-9 (English Standard Version)
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.
View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway) »
Post your comment or question below.