Ephesians 6:5-9

Our jobs and careers are a major part of our lives. In 2019, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics conducted an American Time Use Survey. It found that employed Americans spend significantly more time per week working than in any other activity besides sleep. If you’re employed, I don’t need to tell you this since your job demands a disproportionate amount of your time, more than your church and perhaps even more than your family.

Thankfully, Paul doesn’t overlook this significant part of our lives when he speaks to the church in his letter to the Ephesian Christians. You see, Christ doesn’t desire to transform our behavior only at church and at home, but at work as well.

Do we accept this challenge, or do we separate our work lives from our church and family lives? We should view all three zones of life as platforms to reflect the grace of God.

Christians should be exemplary employees and employers.

We live in an age, culture, and generation that despises work and disrespects people. We look for every possible way to complain, to find any form of inequity or injustice and to leverage that to our advantage, using it as an excuse. If our boss treats us poorly, we use that as an excuse to complain and perform at a low level. If an employee performs badly, we threaten them with harsh words

Just as we should rise above cultural and social stereotypes as wives and husbands, children and parents, we should do the same in our vocations and careers. We should conduct ourselves on the job in a way that is “worthy of our calling” as children of God and followers of Christ (Eph 4:1). We should be a different kind of worker or boss. In other words, the best workers and employers should be Christians.

Just as our worship and fellowship as a church should carry over into our relationships at home, our worship and fellowship as a church should carry over into our relationships on the job (Eph 6:5-9). By submitting to the Holy Spirit as a church, we learn to submit to one another in our home relationships and in our work relationships, too (Eph 5:18-21).

In this series of practical instructions for Christian relationships (Eph 5:22-6:9), Paul explains the kind of attitude and approach we should have towards our relationships at work. As believers, we should not behave as Christians at home and at church, but then separate our work lives and behave on the job in a different and unchristian way.

Now, though Paul’s instructions apply to us today, we need to clarify an important difference between his first-century social and economic paradigm and our own.

Slavery pervaded the Roman Empire.

By some estimates, as many as 30-40% of the population in the Roman Empire were slaves, which means by extension that at least that many and probably more of the believers in the church at Ephesus (and other churches) were slaves. The empire relied so heavily on slave labor that to abolish it outright would collapse the empire, and outcome that would be detrimental to all.

First-century slavery differed from the slavery that haunts America’s past in that a person’s race was not a factor. Instead, people entered slavery as prisoners of war, infants who had been rescued from abandonment, victims of kidnapping, children of slaves, and even by voluntary choice, whether for a set period of time or a lifetime.

First-century slavery also differed in that many if not most slaves would eventually be released, as early as 30 yrs. old and often with a monetary gift if they had served well. Many held honorable, skilled positions as doctors, teachers, accountants, and captains and maintained good relations with their masters, even after receiving their freedom.

Even so, many slaves were poorly treated and nearly all had severe limitations. They possessed no money of their own, could not marry on their own, and had no legal representation. Even their children belonged to their masters.

The gospel encouraged gradual, Christlike change.

By reading Paul and other New Testament (NT) writers, we find a fascinating approach to this challenging social and economic problem:

• On one hand, the NT never encourages or endorses slavery. Nowhere does it encourage or teach any believer to either take a slave or become one. In this way, it never encourages the perpetuation of this practice.
• On the other hand, the NT never encourages believers to overthrow this practice in a revolutionary or subversive way. Instead, the clearest instructions (such as Eph 6:5-9) teach believers how to behave within the current system in a Christlike way.

At the same time, the NT also encourages progress away from the institution of slavery in a gradual, patient way:

• On one hand, Paul encourages believers who are slaves to accept their current position, but to choose freedom if given the opportunity (1 Cor 7:20).
• On the other hand, Paul encouraged a Christian master in a diplomatic, private letter to release his slave and treat him as a brother and equal instead (Phil 16).

Individual heart change leads to widescale systemic change.

Not the other way around. From these snippets we see that though the NT does not promote the institution of slavery, it also does not promote radical, revolutionary upheaval. Instead, it encourages a gradual change that is driven by genuine gospel conversion.

• Phase 1 of this transformation occurs as both slaves and masters submit to one another in a humble, Christlike way. At this level, Christians gain a reputation as the ideal slave and also as the ideal master.
• Phase 2 of this transformation occurs as Christian slaves take the opportunity to go free as the opportunity presents itself and Christian masters take the opportunity to release their slaves voluntarily without coercion as they realize the value of doing so.

Over time, this gradual, gospel-driven, Christlike change makes a widescale difference, as one pastor points out:

“As the Roman empire disintegrated and eventually collapsed, the brutal, abused system of slavery collapsed with it—due in great measure to the influence of Christianity. In more recent times the back of the black slave trade was broken in Europe and America due largely to the powerful, Spirit-led preaching of such men as John Wesley and George Whitefield and the godly statesmanship of such men as William Wilberforce and William Pitt.”[1]

As believers, we should commit ourselves to this approach. We should refrain from involving ourselves in defiant or violent movements. We should instead pursue patient, peaceful change to matters of social and economic injustice, change that is based upon a change of heart that comes from the gospel. Though this is not the way of the world or our rebellious human nature, it is the gospel way and the way of Christ.

Apply slave-master principles to employer-employee relationships.

Though American Christians don’t generally face the kind of slave-master scenario that was common in first-century Rome, we still experience difficult work relationships. As employees, we struggle with difficult bosses, supervisors, unions, and corporations over us. As employers or supervisors at any level, we struggle with difficult employees who refuse to be compliant and fail to perform at a high level.

As followers of Christ, we should “walk worthy of our calling” by facing these labor challenges in a Christlike way. To do this, we should apply Paul’s instructions to slaves and masters to our modern work relationships in submission to the Spirit of God.

God holds employees and employers to the same standard.

Notice how Paul follows his instructions to slaves with “and you, masters, do the same things to them” (Eph 6:9). This follows the pattern of mutual submission that results from the worship and fellowship of a Spirit-filled church (Eph 4:21). Employees should meet the needs of their employers and employers should meet the needs of their employees.

As we walk through these verses (Eph 6:5-8), we should do so with both employees and employers in mind. So whichever position you find yourself in, these principles apply to you because (1) you have a superior master in heaven at all times, God himself, and (2) God doesn’t play favorites or take sides (Eph 6:9).

God doesn’t treat upper management better or worse than entry-level employees. He doesn’t treat a journeyman differently than an apprentice, or a student differently than a teacher. He doesn’t treat a CEO differently than an intern or a high-income earner better than an hourly, minimum-wage employee. Whether slave or free, he treats us equally.

God will compensate you correctly.

Have you ever been paid less than you deserve? Sometimes this happens due to discrimination over gender or race, other times because you’re out of favor with your boss for petty, personal reasons, or even due to a technical glitch in the accounting software.

Since errors like this occur, when I worked at a restaurant in high-school I would calculate my earnings by multiplying my hourly rate by the hours on my timecard. Then I would compare my calculations with my paycheck to ensure I had been paid the proper amount.

God never makes a clerical error, never shows favoritism, and never discriminates. He treats all his children fairly and keeps accurate records of your work. Though this principle applies to your entire life, it definitely applies to your work. God knows every good thing you do as an employee or employer and will reward you accordingly in eternity.

With this assurance in mind, let’s consider the principles Paul gives for Spirit-filled labor relations between employees and employers.

Treat one another with dignity and respect.

“With fear and trembling” doesn’t mean to be frightened or scared (Eph 6:5). It means to take a person seriously rather than view them with disdain, contempt, or hatred. You don’t have to like your employer, for instance, but you should still treat him or her with respect because (a) your employer is a human being and (b) your delegated authority.

To enjoy a peaceful, orderly society we must follow rules of decency and respect. This is God’s way and it means that wives follow husbands, children follow parents, and employees follow employers. When we refuse to follow God’s pattern, anarchy, chaos, and instability results. Our authorities “in the flesh” will never be perfect or perfectly just, but we should take them seriously anyway.

Employers and supervisors should take a similar approach. Though they are not required to “obey” their employees, they should lead them with dignity and respect as equal human beings. Paul expands this further when he tells masters to “give up threatening” (Eph 6:9).

Threatening refers to negative motivation, like, “If you don’t perform better, I’ll fire you, lower your wages, report you to HR, shrink your operating budget, etc.” It also refers criticism that berates people, calls them names, and shames them publicly.

Christian leaders in the workplace should lead those under them with as much positive affirmation, inspiring incentives, and encouraging words as possible. There is a place for proper accountability (i.e., it is necessary to fire people sometimes), but this should not be a primary form of motivation.

Work and lead from sincere, generous motives.

When Paul says, “in sincerity of heart,” he confronts hypocrisy and selfish motives at work (Eph 6:5). As you know, there’s a lot of fakeness in the workplace on all levels. People will say and do anything to get ahead, but not to do a good job for the sake of doing right. As believers, we should always intend to do an “honest day’s work.”

This word also implies generosity. As employees we shouldn’t be stingy with our time. We should show up on time and clock out after we’ve put in our full time. We shouldn’t cut corners or bend rules for personal advantage. As employers, we should also be generous, paying what people deserve and more rather than pocketing it all for ourselves.

Don’t just try to make a good impression.

Paul says, “not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers” (Eph 6:6). It seems that he made up the first word because it doesn’t appear anywhere else either in or out of the Bible before that time. It means to do something only when it will be noticed. Yet believers will work and lead at a high level in the workplace whether anyone sees or not. We shouldn’t work hard when the supervisor comes around but slack off when she’s gone.

Men-pleasers refers to doing things only to impress people rather than doing things because they’re right or it’s the best thing to do, whether people like it or not. First-century Jewish culture thought poorly of this kind of behavior, too. One writer said, “May the flesh of those who try to impress people be scattered by wild animals” (Pss. Sol. 4:19).[2]

When your motive is to please people, you’ll change your behavior at any time based on what people around you want you to do, whether fellow employees or your employer above you – whoever sees you at the moment. You should be a person of integrity who does what is best and right no matter who sees you and whether anyone sees you or not.

Keep a good and positive attitude.

Paul says, “with goodwill doing service” (Eph 6:7). Goodwill refers to a good attitude and a positive mindset. It describes someone with an eager, upbeat perspective, which is a refreshing quality to have at work, is it not? Especially today!

It’s far too common for people at work on all levels to bring a pessimistic attitude to the job. Sometimes it feels like every comment or conversation has to be about something negative. Bad headlines, juicy gossip about someone’s personal life, pointing out how someone has been treated poorly, complaints about working conditions, and so on.

Of all people, we who are believers should have the most cheerful, optimistic attitude on the job, but do we? Or do we feed off of the pessimism and negativity of people around us and complain about everything they complain about?

Work as though Christ is your Master.

Because he is! Perhaps you’ve noticed I’ve skipped over a few things in these verses. Perhaps you’ve also noticed that the things I skipped have a similar theme:

• “as to Christ” (Eph 6:5)
• “as bondservants of Christ” (Eph 6:6)
• “as to the Lord” (Eph 6:7)

Believers work with a bigger picture in mind and a greater cause at heart. Whether we’re an employee or employer, we view what we do as an opportunity to serve and honor Christ. We know that Christ is our master and God is in charge.

No matter who you work for – whether they’re a Christian or not – Christ is your ultimate supervisor watching over your work. We do a good job at work because he wants us to and we want to please him, no matter if anyone else sees or what anyone else thinks.

When you obey your employer or treat your employee well, you are obeying Christ and honoring him. When you disregard your employer and treat your employee poorly, then you are disobeying Christ and dishonoring him.

Sometimes serving Christ may get you fired, other times it may get you promoted –doesn’t matter. We know that in the end God will compensate us accurately and completely at the judgment seat of Christ, so we bring our best attitude and effort to the job every day.

The same is true for employers. We treat our employees as well as possible because we know that whatever position of authority we have, we answer to Christ just as much as our employees do. He will not treat us any more favorably because we’re in charge.

If you’re self-employed, Christ is still your master.

Have you wondered whether this message applies to those who are self-employed, working as freelancers or running their own, single-person business with no employees under them? If so, then wonder no more for Christ is master of the self-employed, too.

Since Christ is master of the self-employed believer, if that’s you, you should do your best with the resources God provides. Whatever services or products you offer, be sure to do so in an excellent manner that brings glory to God. Keep accurate financial records and obey your government by paying your proper taxes, etc. Be honest in your dealings, keep a good attitude, and whatever you do, do it for the glory of God, not just to get rich.

Make God’s will your top priority.

Paul says, “doing the will of God” (Eph 6:6). This means that when you’re on the job, you should do what God wants you to do. This is an important disclaimer because it authorizes us to disobey our employers or disregard our employees when they pressure us to do something that violates God’s will.

In the first century, slaves were required to do a lot of hard, intense, painful, and uncomfortable things. This they must do. Yet if their masters required them to commit adultery, lie, murder, steal, or worship a false god, then they should refuse – not with violence and a revolutionary spirit, but with the humility and grace of Christ.

Today, employees and employers should do the same. If your job requires you to do difficult and uncomfortable things, you should do them. Yet if your job requires you to do things which are clearly and directly sin and violate the will of God, then you should humbly and graciously abstain, even if it places your job or career advancement at risk.

This in mind, not every uncomfortable and inconvenient thing your job requires of you is sin – unfortunately. In such cases, you should do these things with the grace and patience of the Lord. This is the will of God.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might.” God is not pleased with half-hearted efforts, no matter how difficult the work before you may be. Your job is God’s will, whether you like it or not, so it deserves your best effort and your best attitude for Christ’s sake.

Take a personal inventory.

As we take Paul’s teaching to heart, here are seven questions to ask yourself as an employee to see whether you are walking worthy of your calling in the workplace.

Employees

• Are you treating your superiors with respect?
• Do you have a positive attitude?
• Do you join in complaining and gossip?
• Do you perform well only when people are watching?
• Do you work with your employer’s best interest in mind?
• Do you do what’s right even if it sets you at a disadvantage?
• Does your job prevent you from doing God’s will?

To those who are supervisors or employers in the workplace, here are seven questions to ask yourself to see whether you are walking worthy of your calling.

Supervisors/Employers

• Do you treat your employees with respect?
• Do you have a positive attitude?
• Do you lead with positive affirmation or threatening words?
• Do you behave well only when you’re being reviewed?
• Do you make decisions with your employee’s best interest in mind?
• Do you do what’s right even if it sets you at a disadvantage?
• Does your job prevent you from doing God’s will?

To those who are self-employed in the workplace, here are seven questions to ask yourself to see whether you are walking worthy of your calling.

Self-Employed

• Do you treat your clients with respect?
• Do you have a positive attitude?
• Do you keep good records and pay your taxes?
• Do you behave well only when people are watching?
• Do you make decisions with your client’s best interest in mind?
• Do you do what’s right even if it sets you at a disadvantage?
• Does your job prevent you from doing God’s will?

To be this kind of God-honoring, Christlike employee, employer/supervisor, or business owner requires the grace of God that only comes by submitting to the Word of God and depending on the Holy Spirit. To help do this consistently and effectively, I recommend two specific actions.

Commit to weekly worship with your church.

A Spirit-filled church is your regular reminder of Christ’s lordship as you worship God together with your fellow believers and submit to one another in worship, fellowship, and service. There is no substitute for this. Corporate worship (Eph 4:1-5:21) is the foundation and impetus for Christlike home and work relationships (Eph 5:22-6:9).

Pray daily about these things before you go to work.

For the next month, perhaps you can review these verses and personal inventories before you go to work (or log in to work online). Prayerfully submit yourself to Christ as your master and ask God to enable you to put these principles into practice each day. They say that 21 days forms a habit, so a month of doing this can help you build up this mindset. You can even review these verses and inventory at lunch break or at the end of the day.

God will reward you in due time.

“The story is told of an elderly missionary couple who were returning home on a ship after many years of sacrificial service in Africa. On the same ship was Theodore Roosevelt, who had just completed a highly successful big game hunt. As the ship docked in New York harbor, thousands of well-wishers and dozens of reporters lined the pier to welcome Roosevelt home. But not a single person was there to welcome the missionaries. As the couple rode to a hotel in a taxi, the man complained to his wife, ‘It just doesn’t seem right. We give forty years of our lives to Jesus Christ to win souls in Africa, and nobody knows or cares when we return. Yet the president goes over there for a few weeks to kill some animals and the whole world takes notice.’ But as they prayed together that night before retiring, the Lord seemed to say to them, ‘Do you know why you haven’t received your reward yet, My children? It is because you are not home yet.’”[3]

While you may not be serving as a missionary, you are serving the Lord in whatever career or vocation he has placed you in today and the same principles apply. Your hard work and positive attitude may go unnoticed with no immediate results, but that’s okay. Your heavenly Father sees you from heaven and will reward you perfectly in due time.

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[1] John MacArthur, Ephesians, MacArthur NT Commentary (Chicago: Moody, 1986), 324.

[2] Clinton Arnold, Ephesians, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the NT (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010), 423.

[3] MacArthur, Ephesians, 328.