Read & explore together
Serving with Honor
Ephesians 6:5–9 teaches people under authority and people with authority to act in a way that answers to Christ. The passage speaks about sincere service, good will, and the Lord who gives back good and shows no partiality.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This part of Ephesians gives direct instruction. In these verses, servants are told how to serve masters according to the flesh, and masters are also addressed. The passage repeatedly turns attention to Christ, the Lord, the good he gives back, and the fact that there is no partiality with him.
Ephesians 6:5–9Main takeaway
This passage teaches that both service and leadership are to be shaped by sincere obedience to Christ, because the Lord gives back good and shows no partiality.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Obedience with a whole heartVerse 5 tells servants to be obedient to their masters according to the flesh. That phrase describes earthly authority, not the highest authority.
Explanation
Verse 5 tells servants to be obedient to their masters according to the flesh. That phrase describes earthly authority, not the highest authority. The instruction includes fear and trembling and singleness of heart, which points to serious, sincere service offered as to Christ.
02More than outward performanceVerse 6 warns against serving only when watched. Verse 6 describes this as being men pleasers.
Explanation
Verse 6 warns against serving only when watched. Verse 6 describes this as being men pleasers. Instead, servants are described as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. The contrast is between outward performance for appearance and inward obedience directed to God.
03Good will and the Lord’s rewardVerse 7 adds that service should be done with good will, as to the Lord and not to men. Verse 8 explains why this matters: whatever good each person does, the Lord will give back good, whether that person is bound or free.
Explanation
Verse 7 adds that service should be done with good will, as to the Lord and not to men. Verse 8 explains why this matters: whatever good each person does, the Lord will give back good, whether that person is bound or free. The Lord’s notice reaches every status.
04Masters under the same MasterVerse 9 turns to masters and tells them to do the same things, which fits the call to sincere, good and Christ-shaped conduct.
Explanation
Verse 9 turns to masters and tells them to do the same things, which fits the call to sincere, good and Christ-shaped conduct. They must give up threatening. The reason is clear: both master and servant have a Master in heaven, and with him there is no partiality.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does Ephesians 6:5 say should mark a servant’s obedience?
Look for the phrases about fear and trembling, singleness of heart, and the comparison to serving Christ.
02How does Ephesians 6:6 describe the difference between true service and eye-service?
Notice the contrast between pleasing people when watched and doing the will of God from the heart as servants of Christ.
03What reasons does Ephesians 6:8–9 give for both servants and masters to act rightly?
Focus on the Lord giving back good, the shared Master in heaven, and the statement that there is no partiality with him.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ephesians 6:5–9
5Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ,
6not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
7with good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men,
8knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same good again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free.
9You masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him.