The Book of Ephesians Pt. 51 Christian Slaves & Masters

Today we explore the third great human relationships, that of a master and a slave. It is surprising that according to World Population review, about 167 nations still allow some form of slavery impacting about 46 million people. 

When the New Testament was written the Roman Empire practiced slavery. Estimates vary from 15% to 50% but probably about 35%- 40% of the people under Rome's control were slaves. 

In America, the closest relationship to the master and slave relationship is the employer and employee relationship. Paul has some things to say to Christian slaves and to Christian masters. What he says about a Christian slave can certainly be understood and applied within the modern vocational setting. Likewise, what he says to a Christian master can also be understood and applied by a Christian manager, business owner or executive. 

Slaves are to obey their masters as obeying Christ. 

Ephesians 6:5  Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 

We can see in all three human relationships a common thread of subjection by the party that is in subjection to another person in the relationship. A wife is subject to her husband, a child is subject to it's parents and a slave is subject to his master. 

The word "subjection" means the state of being under the power, control and government of another.

There is another common thread of submission. A believing husband is to be in submission to Christ. Believing parents are to be in submission to Christ. Believing employers or masters are to be in submission to Christ. 

Submission is commanded for all three groups of people. The word "submission" means the act of submitting; the act of yielding to power or authority.

The word "servant" literally means a voluntary or involuntary slave. An involuntary slave is forced to serve against his or her will and are sometimes called bondslaves. 

The word "obedient" means to hear, listen and submit to. 

Who do we submit to? Those who are our masters according to the flesh. Thus, we may actually be a slave under a master. We may be a student in class submitting to a teacher. We may be a manager who reports to a senior executive. We may be employed at a small business and submitting to a business owner.

Whether we are a slave, an employee, a student,  a pastor, administrator or waitress, machinist or cabinet maker, cook or janitor, we do work for someone. We all have someone who is in authority over us. 

A slave is free in Christ. 

1 Corinthians 7:22  For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. 

Paul reminds us that a believer is free in Christ, having been rescued from the bondage of sin and degradation and given new life in Christ. Being in subjection to an earthly master or supervisor is temporary and does not affect our standing "in Christ." We are free "in Christ"  but we are also to submit to Him and serve Him. Thus, we willingly submit to a master, manager, teacher or whomever is in authority over us. 

Ephesians 6:6  Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 

How do submit to those in authority over us? With fear and trembling. Servants or slaves are encouraged to obey our earthly masters. Paul tells us do not obey with "eyeservice", which is looking busy but not really getting anything done. Nor are we to do our work, serve our masters, submit to those who are over us as menpleasers. "Menpleasers" are servants who try to "butter up" and fawn over a master or manager in order to receive preferential treatment. 

What is the right motivation for obeying an earthly master? With singleness of heart (Colossians 3:23). This phrase means serving them with simplicity, sincerity, mental honesty, and not having any pretence and hypocrisy, not being self seeking. 

The core motivating factor is a believing worker, servant or slave having the fear of the Lord. This is a reverential fear and respect for God that changes how we think, speak and act. We want to do all for His glory as we slave away for a master or a corporation. As we submit to those authorities in the classroom, the workplace, the small business, the corporation, the hospital or wherever it may be, we do it because it is the will of God for us. 

Whether a slave, a servant, a worker, do what you do for the glory of God. 

Ephesians 6:7-8  With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: 8) Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.  

How do we serve those in authority over us? With good will, serving his master as if he were serving the Lord. Expressing his feeling towards his master; as “doing the will of God from the heart” expresses the source of that feeling (Col_3:23). “Good will” is stated by Xenophon to be the principal virtue of a slave towards his master: a real regard to his master’s interest as if his own, a good will which not even a master’s severity can extinguish.

A believing slave, servant, worker, student knows that God keeps accurate accounts and He will reward us for the good that we do, as we obey His word. A slave who acted faithfully to his master for the Lord’s sake, though his master may not repay his faithfulness, will be recompensed by the Lord. So a freeman who has done good for the Lord’s sake, though man may not pay him, knows that the Lord will recompense him. 

Masters are warned to treat believing slaves with respect. 

Ephesians 6:9  And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. 

A believing master, manager, business owner, corporate executive, or whomever must show the same regard to God’s will for their believing servants’ well-being. Both master and slave are free in Christ and there is no distinction between them "in Christ."   Love regulates the duties both of servants and masters. Equality of nature and faith is superior to distinctions of rank because Christianity makes all men brothers.

Throughout history, masters often physically and verbally abused slaves (See for example Exodus 5:1-19). Even the modern workplace has federal laws regulating harassment in the workplace and against creating a hostile work environment. A Christian master, business owner, etc. and a Christian slave, servant, worker, are to treat each other as brothers in Christ. 

The idea of Christ our Master having no respect of persons means that how we treat a believing slave is how He will treat us. Christ will not let a master off the hook because he is a master, nor will he condemn the slave because he is a slave.

Thoughts to Ponder...

The Parable of the unforgiving servant. 

Matthew 18:21-35  Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22)  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. 

The context of this parable begins with Peter asking Jesus how often he should forgive someone who sins against him. Jesus wanted Peter to understand  that as Christ forgave us so this is how we should forgive others (Ephesians 4:32).

23) Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24) And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25) But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26) The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27) Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 

In this parable a king called his servants to come and give him an accounting of their debts, so they were bondslaves. This particular servant owed a substantial amount (About $10 million) which would have been impossible for him to repay. Therefore, the king ordered the slave and his entire family to be sold. The servant fell down and begged the king to give him more time. The king had compassion on him and actually forgave that massive debt.

You would think that this slave would be extremely grateful for having his debt wiped out but that was not the case. 

28) But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29) And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30) And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 

This servant went out and found another slave who owed him a hundred pence which is about $1.47 in U.S. dollars. This slave could have paid off this debt in less than a year, given that one Roman denarii was the standard for a daily wage. 

However, the servant whose massive debt was forgiven by the king, grabbed this man by the throat and cast him into a debtors prison. 

31) So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32) Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33) Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34)  And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35) So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. 

The other slaves who witnessed the unjustified vindictiveness of the slave whose debt was forgiven, reported what happened to the king. The king took swift action and delivered him to the tormentors until his debt was paid because he did not show mercy as the king showed mercy to him. Jesus then said that this is how they would be treated by the Father in heaven if they refused to forgive their brother's sins against them. 

This parable taught by Jesus gives a vivid illustration of Paul's closing words to Masters. 

A Christian slave, worker or employee should be known for doing good work, being punctual, ready to help, being a productive worker who can be counted on to do the job right. Why? Because the Christian slave, worker or employee is doing that for his Lord.

A Christian master, business owner, or manager must treat a Christian slave or worker with dignity and respect, because this is God's will.

Please pray for those who are actual slaves in certain places of the world today. Pray for their salvation, for the Lord to sustain their spirits while they labor in hopeless circumstances. 

May we as believers live out the gospel whether we are in a position of authority over other people, or if we have a role as a worker or employee. 

I pray that each of us will carefully think through what it means to be a Christian husband or wife, Christian parents, or a Christian slave or master. May we understand what God's will is for us and may we be determined to live out these truths and bring honor to God.

Bob