Ephesians 6:5-9: Masters and Slaves Base text: Ephesians 6:5-9 I. Context A. Context introduced in 5:17-21, particularly v. 21 1. Even in authority situations, all parties subject themselves to one another 2. Service to one another essential, as Jesus served all of us (John 13, John 3:16) B. Paul first speaks of husbands / wives (Christ / church) (5:22-33) C. Paul then speaks of parents and children (6:1-4) D. Paul then moves on to the interaction of masters and slaves II. Master and Slave A. Let us first consider "master" and "slave" B. In the Roman world, a common relationship 1. Slavery not as bad as American slavery, but a common practice 2. Much menial work done by slaves 3. As in any such relationship, some slaves mistreated, some slaves treated very well C. We do not have any master and slave relationships anymore D. Ephesians 6:5-9, however, instructive in terms of workplace association 1. Masters and slaves had to work for a common cause, similar to the modern business environment 2. Parallel is often established as master : employer :: slave : employee 3. Not entirely accurate; some employees are in middle management, having bosses above them but also having people responsible to them 4. A better parallel would be to recognize the master as a person having authority/responsibility over others and the slave as a person under authority 5. Many, then, will be as the "master" and the "slave" at the same time! E. Let us now consider Ephesians 6:5-9 in terms of our lives in the workforce III. Ephesians 6:5-8: Slaves A. "Obey masters with fear and trembling" (v. 5a) 1. Respect necessary for those over you in authority and your employer in general 2. You are being paid, after all, to do what they want you to do! 3. Obedience, then, essential, to be a good worker 4. Chronic lack of understanding of this and an entitlement mentality today B. "With a sincere heart, as you would Christ" (v. 5b) 1. Our obedience is not to be only on the surface; we ought to be good employees in all sincerity 2. Paul often compares the believer's responsibility to one's employer/authority at work to one's responsibility to Christ 3. Essentially, if Jesus were your boss at work, how would you work? So you should do! C. "not by the way of eye-service, as people pleasers" (v. 6a) 1. We have all seen them: "suck-ups;" "brown-nosers" 2. Many people work only to look good before others, especially those above them 3. Christians are not to work simply to "get ahead"! 4. Furthermore, Christians are not to work hard only when the boss is around, but should be as trustworthy when not watched as when watched 5. One should never do anything they would feel uncomfortable doing in front of their boss! D. "but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart" (v. 6b) 1. In all things our conduct and effort at work should be synonymous with our profession of Christ 2. If we are to be obedient servants of God, we should equally be obedient servants of our employers/authorities at work 3. God is establishing His will that mankind labor and do so properly (cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:10, 1 Timothy 5:8); we need to be doing God's will as much in the workplace as in the assembly of the saints! E. "rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man" (v. 7) 1. Paul essentially states that we should regard our service to our employer/authority as serving God and not man 2. How should our work conduct be informed? 3. Do we think that we can act one way in the assembly and another way at work? 4. By no means; we need to view our work life as work for God, and we know that in the Lord we cannot be two-faced! F. "knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free" 1. Many times employees complain about a lack of recognition or remuneration for their services 2. Perhaps in many circumstances this is justified 3. Regardless, God gives no excuse for any employee to do less than his best, especially any perceived lack of recognition or not getting enough money for it! 4. If we provide good service at work, even if our employer/boss does not appreciate it, God appreciates it! 5. We may not get "paid enough" on earth, but God will repay greatly! 6. If we are not doing our best, however, what will we say to God? G. We can see, then, that God expects employees to serve obediently and faithfully, working as for the Lord IV. Ephesians 5:9: Masters A. "Masters, do the same to them" (v. 9a) 1. Paul here indicates that those who are in authority have the same types of obligations to those who are their employees! 2. They also are to serve obediently, working to please God and not men 3. Working employers/bosses tend to have more effective employees! B. "stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him" (v. 9b) 1. In the ancient world, many masters allowed the power to go to their heads, and they viewed their slaves as inferior, and treated them accordingly 2. Paul warns masters that their slaves are equal with them in the sight of God, and therefore they have no right to despise them! 3. Employers and bosses need to remember that they also have a Boss watching over them and will repay them according to their deeds! 4. What do we think when we see some boss mistreating an employee but is being caught on a hidden camera? God sees all! 5. Consider the warning of Matthew 24:45-51! C. Paul, then, establishes that employers and bosses must serve properly also, and treat their employees well, since God is over all V. Conclusion A. We have seen God's will for masters and slaves B. We have seen how it is parallel to the modern work environment C. Employees ought to serve faithfully as obedient workers, working as for the Lord D. Employers/bosses ought to themselves serve their employees well, and treat them well, for they have a Boss watching them in Heaven E. Let us strive to be the best examples of Christ in the workforce that we can be F. Invitation/songbook