Ephesians 6:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,

NIV: Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.

NASB: not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.

CSB: Don't work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, do God's will from your heart.

NLT: Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart.

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

NKJV: not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,

Paul addresses the problem of doing things only for the sake of gaining other's approval. He calls it literally "the way of eye-service," or the problem of only working hard when the master's eyes are directly on us. Paul also notes this type of behavior as being a "people-pleaser." Some serve, but do so for wrong motives. This might be to feel good about themselves, or to impress someone else, as in this context. This might also include those who seek to do as little as possible, while "putting on a show" to make an overseer think they are doing more than they really are. Paul condemns all of these practices, calling bondservants instead "bondservants of Christ."

A bondservant of Christ, or servant of the Lord (such as Elijah or John the Baptist), would not serve only when seen by others but at all times and for the glory of God. As Paul words it, God's servants are to serve "doing the will of God from the heart." It is not the service that is wrong, but the attitude that is wrong, when a servant does work only for others to notice, but not for God's glory.

Ephesians 6:5–9 gives specific instructions for both servants and masters. Servants should give a good effort, more than just for show, in all things they are required to do. This shows respect for their master, but it also provides a good example of one's relationship to Christ. At the same time, masters are explicitly told not to be abusive to their underlings. God sees masters as no better than those they command, and He is the ultimate Master of both.

Paul gives specific instructions to children and fathers, stressing obedience and patience, respectively. He also directs servants to serve with sincerity and good intentions, as if they were working for Christ. Masters are warned not to be harsh: the same God who judges all will not give them preference over those they supervised. All Christians are called on to use the tools given us by God for surviving the attacks of the devil. These are imagined as pieces of a suit of armor. Paul ends this letter in his typical style, with prayer, blessings, and news about his plans.

Ephesians opens with three chapters of doctrine, followed by three chapters of practical application. This final chapter of Paul's letter focuses on specific ways Christians should live. It also summarizes the spiritual tools we are given by God, imagining them as a suit of armor. Paul pulls the same basic ideas from the rest of letter together, showing how Christians should live out their knowledge of what salvation in Christ really means.

Ephesians follows a theme common in Paul's writings: connecting theory with practice. In this book, however, he goes into greater depth before making the transition. As a letter meant to be read by more than just the believers at Ephesus, this is an important look at how Christian belief should translate into Christian action. The first three chapters lay out spiritual ideas, the last three chapters show how these truths should be applied in the life of a mature believer. Paul focuses heavily on love, the unity of the Christian church, and the incredible value of our salvation through Christ.

Accessed 5/6/2024 2:18:46 PM