Studies In Ephesians: Family And Master/Slave Relationship Series

Note: This is a study through the book of Ephesians as done in 1995. One of the main sources I used at the time was Beacon Bible Commentary vol. 9.

Title: The slave master relationship

Theme

Text: Ephesians 5:23-6:9

Introduction

4 areas in which there is a headship for the sake of order

1) Wives are to be subject to their hubands

2) Husbands are to be subject to Christ

3) Children are to be subject to parents

4) Servants (slaves) are to be subject to their masters

Wives

1) To submit unto to their husbands as they would unto the Lord

this involves a relationship of reciprication. There is love shown

2) a wife is to have reverence for her husband

Husbands

1) head of the wife, leader of the family

2) to love the wife with the same love that Chrsit had for the church even by giving up his life

3) the husband should serve as the santificer of the home. The priest of his family

4) to love his wife as his own body

5) cling to his wife as his new immediate family even over his father and mother

6) don't provoke children to wrath

7) bring them up in the admonition of the Lord

Children

1) obey parents

2) honor father and mother

Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.(Ephesians 6:5-9 AV)

Note:

The Bible neither condemns or condones slavery

A. describe slavery in the Bible times

B. Christianity is better than any revolution

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (John 8:36 AV)

C. We are to be slaves to Christ

I. Duty of servants is obedience

Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: (Colossians 3:22 AV)

A. with fear and trembling cf Phil 2:12

"with great moral anxiety lest one should fail in duty"

deep sense of reverence

B. with singleness of heart

no double mindedness or hypocrisy

C. as unto Christ and not men

D. not with eye-ervice, but as servants of Christ

work done only to please the eye and cannot be tested or work done only when the eye is on the worker.

E. doing the will of God from the heart

F. with good will

Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; (Titus 2:9 AV)

Reward is: The Lord will repay you

Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:24 AV)

II. Duty of Masters

A. Do the same things to them, observe their rights and do as you would be done by

B. forbear threatening

Why?

1) you have a Master also, one in heaven who sees all you do

2) there is no respect of persons with him