Slaves Of Christ
SLAVES OF CHRIST
EPHESIANS 6:5-9
Finally, Paul says mutual consideration because of Christ’s love for us extends even to the relationship between slaves and masters.
The presence of converted slaves within the churches of the Lycus Valley (Ephesus, Laodicea and Colossae) motivated Paul to explain the relationship of slaves and their masters from a distinctively Christian perspective. Part of Paul’s reason for addressing this relationship at this time was the presence with him in Rome of Onesimus, the fugitive slave from Colossae (see Colossians 3:22–4:1,7-9). (For other Scripture discussing slaves, see 1 Corinthians 7:20-24; Colossians 3:22–4:1; Philemon; Titus 2:9-10.)
Paul gives a sense of dignity to the work of believing slaves when he tells them to obey their masters as an act of reverence for Christ. They are to regard themselves as “servants of Christ” who do the will of God instead of thinking of themselves as those from whom every vestige of individuality has been taken by their servitude. In the Old Testament the designation “servant of the Lord” was a title of honor reserved for the patriarchs, Moses, David and others who stood in a unique relationship with God.
Paul tells Christian slaves to recognize that they belong to that distinguished company when they perform their tasks as a service rendered to God and not because they are constrained to do so. Their attitude is to be characterized by a humility that stems from a keen sense of shortcoming (for “fear and trembling” see 1 Corinthians 2:3; 2 Corinthians 7:15; Philippians 2:12) and by a determination to serve Christ willingly. When we stand in heaven before the exalted Christ, his concern will not be whether our work was done as a slave or as a free person, but he will look at the spirit in which we did our work.
Christian masters are to reflect the generous attitude of their Lord. They are to recognize the intrinsic worth of their slaves and of good work and to reward it with fairness. Fair treatment will make it easier for slaves to give their masters ready obedience. The warning that the Lord will be impartial in his judgment is intended for both parties; slaves and masters will stand on the same footing in the judgment.