Ephesians 6:5-9 V. 5. ‘Doulos’ – translated as “slave”, “servant”, or “bond servant” We think of the slaves in terms of the 18th and 19th centuries with people captured, shipped to the west under brutal and inhumane treatment as property.

The slavery that existed in the Roman empire had some differences. Outside of Italy 1 in 5 people were slaves. Slaves were not citizens, had no rights. They worked in fields, in mines, some were forced to be gladiators in Italy. They may have been captured in war, or may not have been able to support themselves so they may have “voluntarily” sold themselves to be housed and fed.

What does this have to do with us? A bond servant/master is not too dissimilar from our society’s employee/employer relationship.

The slaves that Paul was writing to were primarily domestic servants. Bond servants were contracted for 7 yrs, after which they were paid and freed Many household slaves were better off than free people in poverty. They were part of the household, so Paul addresses them here: Husbands/wives, fathers/children, masters/slaves.

Serving at Your Job • With fear and trembling in sincerity… as to Christ (5b) o Usu., used of people in God’s presence. Reverently and sincerely. • Not serving the eye, as pleasing men (6a) o Not working to be seen with the goal of just pleasing the boss. • As slaves of Christ, doing the will of God (6b) o Serving as ultimate allegiance to Christ, doing God’s will gladly. • Wholeheartedly, as serving the Lord (7) o Wholehearted work honors and glorifies the Lord.

There is no distinction between the sacred and the secular in our lives. Doing your job is directly related to Christ’s rule over your life. Any and every task, however menial, falls within the sphere of Christ’s lordship and is done in order to please him.

V. 8. Nothing escapes our heavenly Master’s attention. He will reward the good deeds done by each and every one. Slaves will be rewarded by their heavenly Lord at the day of final judgment for the good that they do.

There will be a heavenly reward for even menial, earthly tasks done in honor of Christ.

This means work is honorable. When done out of reverence for Christ even the most menial tasks have value. Work can be a form of worship, offering your labor to Christ.

v. 9. “Masters, treat your slaves in the same way” – shocking to slave owners. if you are over someone, your attitudes and actions are to be governed by their relationship to their heavenly Lord.

Masters are motivated to treat their slaves in the same way because • Both servant and master have the Lord as their Master and are accountable to him • The Lord is completely impartial and unimpressed with social status

To be a slave or servant was a menial and despicable thing. In Israel, the idea emerged that it was a privilege to be a slave or servant of God. OT heroes were often called servants of God. Isaiah prophesied of a servant of God (Jesus). The NT refers to Jesus as a servant. Paul, James, Peter and Jude all refer to themselves as slaves or servants of Christ.

• We are called to work reverently, sincerely, wholeheartedly. • We are called to work in a way that honors Christ as our Lord. • God sees sincere work and will reward it (even if no one else does). • Bosses will answer to the same Master in heaven for their treatment of their subordinates.