Ephesians 6:5-9 – Walking in divine order (3) – Slaves and masters

Remember that in the days of Paul, owning slaves was a common practice but not so in this modern era. So how would these verses be relevant to us? We can see this from the viewpoint of employers and employees. In many homes today we do employ domestic helpers. So this portion of Scriptures is relevant in that sense of an employer, and his or her domestic helper. These verses can also be applied in the context of relationships between employers and employees or superiors and subordinates in working environments.

Paul began with how servants, and in our case employees, must act. Employees are to obey their masters or employers. This obedience must be given even if the recipient is a non-believer and uncultured in their manners. Obeying becomes effortless when one holds the principle that obeying employer is in essence really serving and obeying Christ. How so? It’s because He has commanded us to obey our masters or employers.  

How should obedience be given? Obedience must be given joyfully not grudgingly. Here we see a series of attitude to help to measure the services we, as employees, must offer to our employers. Firstly, we must serve with fear and trembling. Of course Paul was not talking about slavish fear but an assiduous care in our duty. Secondly, we must serve sincerely, honestly and single-heartedly.  Thirdly, we must also serve diligently, not only when our employers are around, but also when they are not. It is said that the mark of a mature man is not what one does when everyone is looking, but what one does when no one else is looking. We are not men-pleasers but Christ-pleasers. Fourthly, we must serve heartily, doing the will of the Father from the heart. Finally we serve with a magnificent spirit and will. We have the best intention for our employers. In verse 8 we are told that God is the One Who will ultimately reward all of us for the services we offer. And He is not one who will short-change us. This He will do regardless of whether our earthly employers will reward us well or not. God will make it up to us when our duties are given joyfully, diligently and carefully.  

In verse 9 Paul counsels employers on how to treat employees. The same instructions he gave to employees, he now tells the employers to do likewise. Employers must be well disposed towards their employees and have their welfare at heart. They must not use threat to elicit obedience and services. In fact, they must use good reasons and kindness to motivate and encourage their employees to work. Christian employers must remember that they have a Master in heaven. Without partiality, our Master in heaven will ultimately call all who mistreat their employees for a time of accounting.    

How employers and employees, or superiors and subordinates, relate to each other will determine the quality of service. It will definitely affect the effectiveness in a home or an organization. It behooves us as Christian employees or employers to follow this counsel. Let’s remember that how we act as an employee or an employer, we bear witness for the Lord.