Bondservants Of Christ

Alba 6-25-2023

BONDSERVANTS OF CHRIST

Ephesians 6:5-9

These days, if you go past most any business there is a sign that says, “Help Wanted”. It looks as if anyone wanted a job, there would be something available.

But in one store window I read there was a sign that said, “No Help Wanted”. And as two men passed by, one said to the other, "You should apply--you’d be great."

I heard of a man applying for a job. The manager reviewing the application said, “I'm sorry I can't hire you, but there isn't enough work to keep you busy.” The applicant replied, “You'd be surprised how little it takes.”

Not everyone wants to work. But Genesis chapter two says that God took Adam and put him in the Garden of Eden to WORK it. Work was a part of God’s original plan. It was a crucial part of His original paradise.

But sin entered the picture and turned our work into labor. Now, work has become drudgery for so many when God intended it to be a delightful part of our every-day lives.

That's why, in Ephesians chapter six, the apostle Paul gives instructions to the workers of the day, most of whom were slaves. Here is what workers and their masters are to do.

Let's read Ephesians 6:5-9. “Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

“And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.”

A bondservant is a slave. Bondservant is the translation of the Greek word doulos, which means “one who is subservient to, and entirely at the disposal of, his master; a slave.” Other translations use the word slave or servant.

Now, when you and I see the word, “slave,” we usually think about the raced-based oppression of African slaves during the 17th, 18th, and 19th Centuries in our own country. But that was not the case at all in Bible days.

In that time slaves were not distinguishable from anyone else by race, or speech, or clothing. They looked and lived much like everyone else. It is interesting to know that the Roman Empire is estimated to have had as many as 60 million slaves.

So what does the Bible teach about slavery?

Even though the New Testament does not attack the institution of slavery directly, it strikes a deadly blow against it. Galatians 3:28 tells us that in Jesus Christ there is neither slave nor free. Both are equal. The Bible destroys slavery’s foundation.

The sincere application of New Testament truths has repeatedly led to the elimination of slavery. Where the love of Jesus is lived in the power of His Spirit, unjust barriers in relationships are inevitably broken down.

The main thrust of the biblical teaching here is that everyone should live righteously in whatever circumstances he may be. When this letter to the Ephesians was written it is estimated that from one-third to one-half of the populations of large cities like Ephesus and Rome were slaves.

And under Roman law, a bondservant was considered the owner’s personal property. Slaves essentially had no rights and could even be killed with impunity by their owners. But contrary to what one would suppose, not everyone was trying to avoid slavery at all costs.

While it is true that many slaves were horribly mistreated, it is clear that some people actually sold themselves into slavery in order to climb socially, or to obtain particular employment open only to slaves.

Being a slave had the benefit of providing a certain personal and social security. Slaves were used in all kinds of jobs. The Romans delegated almost all work to them. A slave could be a teacher, doctor, or administrator (think back to Joseph).

In many respects, the position of a bond servant could be compared with that of employee today. There are some significant differences, but there are some important similarities. And the position of master could also be compared with that of employers.

That makes this section of scripture applicable to the way things are today with employees and employers. For that matter, it also applies to any situation where we might find ourselves when there is a job to be done.

In verse five the worker is told to “be obedient... in sincerity of heart.” There are jobs that aren't pleasant and it can be tempting to rebel against the need to do them. But verse five gives the reason for obedient, sincere work for the Christian. It is because what is done is to be “as to Christ.”