TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Ephesians 6:1–9. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Here we have further directions concerning relative duties, in which the apostle is very particular.
I.The duty of children to their parents.
Come, you children, hearken to me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord. The great duty of children is to obey their parents (Eph 6:1), parents being the instruments of their being, God and nature having given them an authority to command, in subserviency to God; and, if children will be obedient to their pious parents, they will be in a fair way to be pious as they are. That obedience which God demands from their children, in their behalf, includes an inward reverence, as well as the outward expressions and acts. Obey in the Lord. Some take this as a limitation, and understand it thus: "as far as is consistent with your duty to God." We must not disobey our heavenly Father in obedience to earthly parents; for our obligation to God is prior and superior to all others. I take it rather as a reason: "Children, obey your parents; for the Lord has commanded it: obey them therefore for the Lord's sake, and with an eye to him." Or it may be a particular specification of the general duty: "Obey your parents, especially in those things which relate to the Lord. Your parents teach you good manners, and therein you must obey them. They teach you what is for your health, and in this you must obey them: but the chief things in which you are to do it are the things pertaining to the Lord." Religious parents charge their children to keep the ways of the Lord, Gen 18:19. They command them to be found in the way of their duty towards God, and to take heed of those sins most incident to their age; in these things especially they must see that they be obedient. There is a general reason given: For this is right, there is a natural equity in it, God has enjoined it, and it highly becomes Christians. It is the order of nature that parents command and children obey. Though this may seem a hard saying, yet it is duty, and it must be done by such as would please God and approve themselves to him. For the proof of this the apostle quotes the law of the fifth commandment, which Christ was so far from designing to abrogate and repeal that he came to confirm it, as appears by his vindicating it, Mat 15:4, etc. Honour thy father and mother (Eph 6:2), which honour implies reverence, obedience, and relief and maintenance, if these be needed. The apostle adds, which is the first commandment with promise. Some little difficulty arises from this, which we should not overlook, because some who plead for the lawfulness of images bring this as a proof that we are not bound by the second commandment. But there is no manner of force in the argument. The second commandment has not a particular promise; but only a general declaration or assertion, which relates to the whole law of God's keeping mercy for thousands. And then by this is not meant the first commandment of the decalogue that has a promise, for there is no other after it that has, and therefore it would be improper to say it is the first; but the meaning may be this: "This is a prime or chief commandment, and it has a promise; it is the first commandment in the second table, and it has a promise." The promise is, That it may be well with thee, etc., Eph 6:3. Observe, Whereas the promise in the commandment has reference to the land of Canaan, the apostle hereby shows that this and other promises which we have in the Old Testament relating to the land of Canaan are to be understood more generally. That you may not think that the Jews only, to whom God gave the land of Canaan, were bound by the fifth commandment, he here gives it a further sense, That it may be well with thee, etc. Outward prosperity and long life are blessings promised to those who keep this commandment. This is the way to have it well with us, and obedient children are often rewarded with outward prosperity. Not indeed that it is always so; there are instances of such children who meet with much affliction in this life: but ordinarily obedience is thus rewarded, and, where it is not, it is made up with something better. Observe,
1.The gospel has its temporal promises, as well as spiritual ones.
2.Although the authority of God be sufficient to engage us in our duty, yet we are allowed to have respect to the promised reward: and,
3.Though it contains some temporal advantage, even this may be considered as a motive and encouragement to our obedience.
II.The duty of parents:
And you fathers, Eph 6:4. Or, you parents, 1. "Do not provoke your children to wrath. Though God has given you power, you must not abuse that power, remembering that your children are, in a particular manner, pieces of yourselves, and therefore ought to be governed with great tenderness and love. Be not impatient with them, use no unreasonable severities and lay no rigid injunctions upon them. When you caution them, when you counsel them, when you reprove them, do it in such a manner as not to provoke them to wrath. In all such cases deal prudently and wisely with them, endeavouring to convince their judgments and to work upon their reason." 2. "Bring them up well, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, in the discipline of proper and of compassionate correction, and in the knowledge of that duty which God requires of them and by which they may become better acquainted with him. Give them a good education." It is the great duty of parents to be careful in the education of their children: "Not only bring them up, as the brutes do, taking care to provide for them; but bring them up in nurture and admonition, in such a manner as is suitable to their reasonable natures. Nay, not only bring them up as men, in nurture and admonition, but as Christians, in the admonition of the Lord. Let them have a religious education. Instruct them to fear sinning; and inform them of, and excite them to, the whole of their duty towards God."
III.The duty of servants.
This also is summed up in one word, which is, obedience. He is largest on this article, as knowing there was the greatest need of it. These servants were generally slaves. Civil servitude is not inconsistent with Christian liberty. Those may be the Lord's freemen who are slaves to men. "Your masters according to the flesh (Eph 6:5), that is, who have the command of your bodies, but not of your souls and consciences: God alone has dominion over these." Now, with respect to servants, he exhorts,
1.That they obey with fear and trembling. They are to reverence those who are over them, fearing to displease them, and trembling lest they should justly incur their anger and indignation.
2.That they be sincere in their obedience: In singleness of heart; not pretending obedience when they design disobedience, but serving them with faithfulness.
3.They should have an eye to Jesus Christ in all the service that they perform to their masters (Eph 6:5-7), doing service as to the Lord, and not to men; that is, not to men only or principally. When servants, in the discharge of the duty of their places, have an eye to Christ, this puts an honour upon their obedience, and an acceptableness into it. Service done to their earthly masters, with an eye to him, becomes acceptable service to him also. To have an eye to Christ is to remember that he sees them and is ever present with them, and that his authority obliges them to a faithful and conscientious discharge of the duties of their station.
4.They must not serve their masters with eye-service (Eph 6:6) - that is, only when their master's eye is upon them; but they must be as conscientious in the discharge of their duty, when they are absent and out of the way, because then their Master in heaven beholds them: and therefore they must not act as men-pleasers - as though they had no regard to the pleasing of God, and approving themselves to him, if they can impose upon their masters. Observe, A steady regard to the Lord Jesus Christ will make men faithful and sincere in every station of life.
5.What they do they must do cheerfully: Doing the will of God from the heart, serving their masters as God wills they should, not grudgingly, nor by constraint, but from a principle of love to them and their concerns. This is doing it with good-will (Eph 6:7), which will make their service easy to themselves, pleasing to their masters, and acceptable to the Lord Christ. There should be good-will to their masters, good-will to the families they are in; and especially a readiness to do their duty to God. Observe, Service, performed with conscience, and from a regard to God, though it be to unrighteous masters, will be accounted by Christ as service done to himself.
6.Let faithful servants trust God for their wages, while they do their duty in his fear: Knowing that whatsoever good thing (Eph 6:8), how poor and mean soever it may be, considered in itself, - the same shall he receive of the Lord, that is, by a metonymy, the reward of the same. Though his master on earth should neglect or abuse him, instead of rewarding him, he shall certainly be rewarded by the Lord Christ, whether he be bond or free, whether he be a poor bond-servant or a freeman or master. Christ regards not these differences of men at present; nor will he in the great and final judgment. You think, "A prince, or a magistrate, or a minister, that does his duty here, will be sure to receive his reward in heaven: but what capacity am I, a poor servant, in, of recommending myself to the favour of God." Why, God will as certainly reward thee for the meanest drudgery that is done from a sense of duty and with an eye to himself. And what can be said more proper either to engage or to encourage servants to their duty?
IV.The duty of masters:
"And you masters, do the same things unto them (Eph 6:9); that is, act after the same manner. Be just to them, as you expect they should be to you: show the like good-will and concern for them, and be careful herein to approve yourselves to God." Observe, Masters are under as strict obligations to discharge their duty to their servants as servants are to be obedient and dutiful to them. "Forbearing threatening; anientes - moderating threatening, and remitting the evils with which you threaten them. Remember that your servants are made of the same mould with yourselves, and therefore be not tyrannical and imperious over them, knowing that your Master also is in heaven:" some copies read, both your and their Master. "You have a Master to obey who makes this your duty; and you and they are but fellow-servants in respect of Christ. You will be as punishable by him, for the neglect of your duty, or for acting contrary to it, as any others of meaner condition in the world. You are therefore to show favour to others, as ever you expect to find favour with him; and you will never be a match for him, though you may be too hard for your servants." Neither is there respect of persons with him; a rich, a wealthy, and a dignified master, if he be unjust, imperious, and abusive, is not a jot the nearer being accepted of God for his riches, wealth, and honour. He will call masters and servants to an impartial account for their conduct one to another, and will neither spare the former because they are more advanced nor be severe towards the latter because they are inferior and mean in the world. If both masters and servants would consider their relation and obligation to God and the account they must shortly give to him, they would be more careful of their duty to each other. Thus the apostle concludes his exhortation to relative duties.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
3 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
That servants, when they have believed, ought to serve their carnal masters the better. In the Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians: "Servants, obey your fleshly masters with fear and trembling, and ill simplicity of your heart. as to Christ; not serving for the eye, as if you were pleasing men; but as servants of God."
Moreover, that masters should be the more gentle. Also in the same place: "And, ye masters, do the same things to them, forbearing anger: knowing that both your Master and theirs is in heaven; and there is no choice of persons with Him."
It is on account of their reverence for God that they are called to demonstrate here and now their faithful and just service to persons. As they serve God by their service to earthly masters, they look toward the day of judgment, when all will be requited and all brought to final justice.
Thus then it is not husband only, nor wife, nor children, but virtuous servants also that contribute to the organization and protection of a house. Therefore the blessed Paul has not overlooked this department even. He comes to it, however, in the last place, because it is last in dignity and rank. Still he addresses much discourse also to them, no longer in the same tone as to children, but in a far more advanced way, inasmuch as he does not hold out to these the promise in this world, but in that which is to come. "Knowing," saith he, "that whatsoever good or evil thing each one doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord," and thus at once instructs them to love wisdom. For though they be inferior to the children in dignity, still in mind they are superior to them.
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Summary
Ephesians 6:6 offers profound guidance on the nature of Christian service and work ethic, transcending its immediate address to bondservants to provide timeless principles for all believers. It challenges superficiality and external motivation, calling for a deep, internal commitment to work as an act of devotion to Christ, performed with sincerity and integrity, ultimately seeking to fulfill God's will from a transformed heart rather than merely pleasing human supervisors.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is an integral part of Paul's comprehensive instructions on Christian household relationships found in Ephesians 5:21-33 and Ephesians 6:1-9. Following his directives to wives and husbands (Ephesians 5:22-33), and children and parents (Ephesians 6:1-4), Paul turns his attention to the dynamic between bondservants and masters (Ephesians 6:5-9). Within this section, Ephesians 6:6 specifically elaborates on the manner in which bondservants are to perform their duties, contrasting external compliance with internal, God-centered motivation. This instruction elevates the mundane act of labor into a sphere for demonstrating genuine faith and obedience, setting the stage for the reciprocal instruction to masters in Ephesians 6:9.
Historical & Cultural Context
The Roman world, in which Paul wrote, was characterized by widespread slavery, a social institution distinct from modern concepts of chattel slavery. While often involuntary, it encompassed a wide range of statuses, from highly educated household managers to manual laborers. Paul's letters do not directly condemn or abolish the institution but rather transform it from within by redefining the relationships based on Christian principles. By addressing bondservants and masters within the household code, Paul subverts the prevailing social hierarchy, emphasizing that both parties are ultimately accountable to Christ. The concept of "eyeservice" would have been particularly relevant in a context where masters held significant power and bondservants might perform tasks only when under direct supervision to avoid punishment or gain favor, highlighting a common human tendency to work for external approval.
Key Themes
Ephesians 6:6 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Ephesians and Pauline theology. It reinforces the theme of Christian Conduct and Transformation, demonstrating how faith in Christ should manifest in practical, everyday life, even in challenging social structures. The verse also highlights Divine Motivation for Labor, shifting the ultimate allegiance and purpose of work from earthly masters to Christ Himself, thereby dignifying all forms of labor. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of Inward Sincerity and Heartfelt Obedience, a recurring theme in Paul's writings that emphasizes that true righteousness stems from an internal disposition transformed by the Holy Spirit, rather than mere outward conformity, as seen in passages like Romans 12:1-2. This principle challenges believers to live authentically, with their actions flowing from a genuine desire to honor God.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
A unique Pauline compound term combining "eye" (ophthalmos) and "slavery/service" (douleia). It literally means "sight-labor" or "service rendered only when under observation." This word vividly condemns a superficial work ethic driven by external scrutiny rather than internal conviction, implying a lack of diligence when not being watched.
A compound of "man" (anthropos) and "to please" (areskō). It describes someone whose primary aim is to gain human approval or favor, often through flattery or insincere effort, rather than seeking to do what is inherently right or pleasing to God. This term highlights the danger of external validation as a primary motivator.
Referring to a slave, literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary. This term emphasizes complete dedication, ownership, and subservience. By calling believers "servants of Christ," Paul redefines their ultimate Master and purpose, elevating their status and dignifying their labor by connecting it to divine service, implying total allegiance and commitment to Him.
Often translated as "soul" or "life," but here with the preposition "from" (ek, G1537) it signifies the innermost being, the seat of one's will, emotions, and intellect. "From the heart" (ek psychēs) signifies genuine, internal motivation and sincerity, contrasting sharply with the superficiality of "eyeservice." It speaks to the inner disposition and passion with which one performs tasks, indicating that true obedience springs from a willing and transformed inner person.
Verse Breakdown
"Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers;"
This initial negative command establishes the unacceptable manner of service. "Eyeservice" (ophthalmodouleía) refers to working only when observed, a performance designed to impress or avoid punishment rather than to genuinely complete a task well. This superficiality is linked to being "menpleasers" (anthrōpáreskos), individuals whose primary motivation is to gain human approval or avoid human displeasure, rather than to fulfill their duty with integrity. This clause condemns hypocrisy and external motivation in labor.
"but as the servants of Christ,"
This clause introduces the positive antithesis, shifting the focus from human masters to the ultimate divine Master. The term "servants" (doûlos) emphasizes complete devotion and ownership. By identifying believers as "servants of Christ," Paul redefines their identity and purpose, indicating that their labor, regardless of its earthly context, is ultimately rendered to Christ Himself. This reorientation dignifies all work and provides a transcendent motivation.
"doing the will of God from the heart;"
This final clause specifies the nature and source of true Christian service. It is about "doing the will of God" (thélēma theou), implying active obedience to His commands and purposes. Crucially, this obedience must spring "from the heart" (ek psychēs), signifying genuine, internal motivation, sincerity, and wholeheartedness. This contrasts sharply with "eyeservice" and "menpleasing," emphasizing that true service flows from a transformed inner being, not from external compulsion or a desire for human commendation.
Literary Devices
Paul employs several effective literary devices in Ephesians 6:6 to convey his powerful message. Foremost is Antithesis (or Contrast), clearly marked by the "Not... but..." structure. This rhetorical device sharply contrasts the unacceptable manner of service ("eyeservice, as menpleasers") with the divinely mandated approach ("as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart"). This juxtaposition highlights the profound difference between human-centered and God-centered motivation. The term "eyeservice" itself is a vivid Metaphor or Neologism, a unique Pauline coinage that powerfully encapsulates the concept of superficial, performance-driven work. It creates a striking image of labor that ceases the moment the "eye" (of the master) is removed. Furthermore, the phrase "from the heart" serves as a Synecdoche or Metonymy, where "heart" represents the entire inner person—one's will, affections, and deepest motivations—emphasizing that true service is not merely outward action but flows from an internal disposition. This combination of devices makes the instruction both memorable and profoundly impactful, urging a transformation of work ethic from the inside out.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Ephesians 6:6 is a foundational text for understanding the Christian work ethic, extending principles of integrity, sincerity, and divine motivation beyond the specific context of bondservants to all spheres of life. It elevates every task, no matter how mundane or lowly, into an act of worship and obedience to God. This verse teaches that our ultimate audience is not human, but divine, transforming the very nature of labor from a burden or a means to human approval into a spiritual offering. It underscores the biblical truth that God is concerned not only with what we do, but how and why we do it, emphasizing the importance of a transformed heart as the wellspring of all genuine service. This principle resonates deeply with the call for wholehearted devotion in all aspects of life, recognizing Christ as the true Master and the ultimate recipient of our efforts.
Reflection and Application
Ephesians 6:6 challenges every believer to re-evaluate their approach to work, service, and daily responsibilities. In a world often driven by performance reviews, external praise, or the pursuit of personal gain, this verse calls us to a higher standard: to work as if Christ Himself were our direct supervisor, and indeed, our ultimate recipient. This means cultivating a deep sense of integrity, performing tasks with diligence and excellence even when no one is watching, and resisting the temptation to cut corners or seek superficial approval. It invites us to shift our perspective, viewing every task—whether in our professional careers, household duties, volunteer work, or ministry—as an opportunity to glorify God and express our devotion to Him. When we perform our duties "from the heart" for God, our labor is dignified, imbued with eternal significance, and becomes a powerful testimony to the transforming power of Christ in our lives.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is "eyeservice" and why is it problematic for Christians?
"Eyeservice" (Greek: ophthalmodouleía) refers to work or service performed only when under direct supervision or observation. It's a superficial effort driven by the desire to impress human masters or avoid punishment, rather than genuine commitment or a desire for excellence. For Christians, it is problematic because it reflects a lack of integrity and a misplaced motivation. Our work, according to Ephesians 6:6, should not be for human approval but as service to Christ, flowing from a sincere heart. It undermines the biblical call to work heartily, as for the Lord (Colossians 3:23).
How can I apply Ephesians 6:6 to my modern workplace or daily responsibilities?
While originally addressed to bondservants, the principles of Ephesians 6:6 are universally applicable. To apply it, first, recognize that your work, whatever it may be, is ultimately an act of worship and service to God. This means performing tasks with diligence, integrity, and excellence, even when unsupervised. Second, shift your motivation from seeking human praise or avoiding criticism to pleasing God. This involves doing your best "from the heart," understanding that your true reward comes from Him who sees all things (Colossians 3:24). This perspective transforms mundane tasks into meaningful spiritual acts.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Ephesians 6:6 finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect example in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the verse calls believers to serve "as the servants of Christ," Christ Himself perfectly embodied the principle of doing the will of God "from the heart," utterly devoid of "eyeservice" or being a "menpleaser." His entire earthly life was characterized by absolute obedience to His Father's will, not for human acclaim but out of profound love and devotion. Jesus declared, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work" (John 4:34). He consistently sought to please the Father (John 8:29), even to the point of death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). Therefore, when believers are exhorted to serve "as the servants of Christ," they are called to emulate His perfect, heartfelt obedience. Our service, motivated by love and gratitude for His redemptive work, becomes a participation in His own mission, empowered by His Spirit, and offered back to Him as our Lord and ultimate Master. It is through Christ that we are enabled to truly do the will of God from the heart, finding our purpose and dignity in serving Him who first served us by laying down His life (Mark 10:45).