As Children in Ontario headed back to school this week, it was surrounded by labor issues between school boards and the province of Ontario. Last minute negotiations meant that students were spared a delay in their school year, but ongoing disputes with support workers and unresolved contract issues with various boards remain. In many ways, expectations from students, parents, teachers, school boards and governments always seem to be at odds.
But God did not design humanity’s freedom to work against others. He designed it to allow us to earn a living, provide for our families, and be of service to others. Yet, as in every other area of life, people's depraved nature turns God’s provisions to selfish ends. As with problems in relations between husbands and wives and parents and children (Eph. 5:22–6:4), the solution to labor relations problems must begin with God’s solution—salvation through Jesus Christ and the empowerment of His Holy Spirit.
In every aspect of human life God’s plan is one of authority and submission, and those two pillars are the bedrock of biblical labor relations. To avoid chaos and anarchy, someone must lead, and others must follow. The mutual submission Paul teaches in relation to masters and servants, just as that between husbands and wives and parents and children, is in the context of the God–designated roles of authority—of husbands over wives, parents over children, and masters over servants. But that authority is not based on any inherent superiority of husbands, parents, or masters. They possess their authority as a stewardship from God, to be used for His purposes and according to His principles. Their authority is not total or unrestricted and is to be used only to serve God and to serve those over whom they have been given the authority. Submission, therefore, is not one–way but mutual. Being under Christ’s authority does not mean believers are free of all civil or social authority; rather, it means that believers should display His gentleness and humility to all authority (Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Eph 6:5). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.).
In the book of Ephesians, Paul gives his final illustration of the principle of Spirit–produced mutual submission, “and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ” (Eph. 5:21), applying it to relations between slaves and masters—and, by extension, to all employer–employee relationships. In Ephesians 6:5-9, Paul continues to deal with the practical effects of the Spirit–filled life (5:18), without which none of God’s righteous standards can be met, including those which regulate working relationships. Paul explains: 1) The Submission of Slaves, or Employees (Ephesians 6:5-8), and about 2) The Submission of Masters, or Employers (Ephesians 6:9).
1) The Submission of Employees (Ephesians 6:5-8)
Ephesians 6:5-8 [5]Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, [6]not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, [7]rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, [8]knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. (ESV)
Paul’s instructions to masters and slaves continues in the setting of the household. The vast majority of businesses in New Testament times were family operated, and therefore most servants were part of an extended household. In agrarian situations the servants, or slaves, worked in the fields or tended the flocks. If the master had a shop the servants worked as craftsmen or helpers. If he was a merchant they would do whatever chores were required to help in the business. In any case, the head of the household was also head of the business. He was usually the employer and the servants were his employees.
Slaves translates the Greek douloi, and indicates subjection and usually bondage. In biblical times slavery was common and much abused. In both Greek and Roman cultures, most slaves had no legal rights and were treated as commercial commodities. Roman citizens came to look on work as beneath their dignity, and the entire empire gradually came to function largely by slave power. Slaves were bought, sold, traded, used, and discarded as heartlessly as if they were animals or tools. Considerate masters such as Pliny the Elder, who was deeply grieved over the death of some of his slaves, were exceptional. Contrary to the supposition that everyone was trying to avoid slavery at all costs, it is clear that some people actually sold themselves into slavery in order to climb socially, to obtain particular employment open only to slaves, and to enjoy a better standard of living than they had experienced as free persons. Being a slave had the benefit of providing a certain personal and social security (Lincoln, A. T. (1990). Ephesians (Vol. 42, p. 418). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.).
New Testament teaching does not focus on reforming and restructuring human systems, which are never the root cause of human problems. The issue is always the heart of people—which when wicked will corrupt the best of systems and when righteous will improve the worst. If people’s sinful hearts are not changed, they will find ways to oppress others regardless of whether or not there is actual slavery. On the other hand, Spirit–filled believers will have just and harmonious relationships with each other, no matter what system they live under. People’s basic problems and needs are not political, social, or economic but spiritual, and that is the area on which Paul here concentrates. The Bible neither condones slavery nor advocates its violent overthrow. Even though the New Testament lays down principles which eventually undermined the system, this was a by-product. The main thrust of the biblical teaching is that everyone should live righteously in whatever circumstances he may be(Kent, H. A., Jr. (1971). Ephesians: The glory of the church (p. 109). Chicago, IL: Moody Press.).
The sincere application of New Testament truths has repeatedly led to the elimination of slavery. Where Christ’s love is lived in the power of His Spirit, unjust barriers and relationships are inevitably broken down. 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. The Christian teaching of the equality of all men and women before an impartial God, and their relationships as brothers and sisters in Christ (Phlm. 16), was the powerful force that was later to lead in one country after another to the abolition of slavery (Foulkes, F. (1989). Ephesians: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 10, p. 174). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)
Paul is speaking consistently about rendering service to whom service is due. Now we can speak more broadly here. There is a sense in which anyone who is in the employ of another person, although not a slave, is in a situation where services are to be rendered. In the case of our (contemporary) industrial contracts, those services are rendered for hire. Employees receive pay cheques from their employers who enter into an agreement with those whom they employ. Employees are committed to giving certain services in return for the benefits and the remuneration that they receive for those services. Some of the principles that Paul applies to slaves can well be carried over and applied to anyone who is an employee. What Paul says is this: Work with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Wherever Christians are rendering a service, they must understand that such service is ultimately presented, not to employers or owners, but to Christ. So that by serving our masters or employers well, we are thereby rendering a service to Christ (Sproul, R. C. (1994). The Purpose of God: Ephesians (p. 142). Scotland: Christian Focus Publications.).
Please turn to 1 Peter 2 (p.1015)
Because the command of mutual submission is possible only to the Spirit–filled believer, Paul is addressing Christian slaves, just as he later addresses Christian masters (v. 9). In verse 5, Slaves are commanded to obey/be obedient to [those who are their] earthly masters. Obey/Be obedient is in the present tense in the Greek, indicating uninterrupted obedience. Believers are not to obey simply when they desire to or when their employers are fair and reasonable. They are to obey in everything and at all times, the only exception being when they are instructed to do something immoral, idolatrous, blasphemous, or the like. We do not submit to husbands, parents, employers, teachers, the government, or anyone else because we are afraid of or inferior to them. We submit to the various authorities in our lives because this is one way that we show our submission to and love for God! That should free us from any doubts about submission, even if the person to whom we must submit is hard to deal with or unfair, or even if he or she is less competent than we are. We are not submitting for the sake of that other person, but as unto the Lord (Strassner, K. (2014). Opening up Ephesians (p. 131). Leominster: Day One.).
Speaking of household workers, Peter said:
1 Peter 2:18-20 [18]Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. [19]For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. [20]For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. (ESV) (cf. Titus 2:9–10)
•Patient endurance of suffering is evidence of God’s grace at work...along with God’s enabling grace come his favor and blessing (Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 2409). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.).
In New Testament times many slaves became Christians and thereby became children of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ, as Paul has already reminded his readers (1:5–14). Therefore the natural response of many Christian slaves was to look upon their bondage as completely incongruous with their new standing before God. They reasoned that God’s own children, who will reign with Him forever, should not be subservient to any human being, certainly not to a ruthless pagan. As spiritual nobility, they deserved more than common slavery. Yet Paul tells them plainly and simply to obey/be obedient. The first obligation of a Christian is to please his Lord and to be a faithful testimony to Him. One way to do this, the apostle says, is to give willing obedience to those under whom you work, regardless of who they are or what their character is like. Being a Christian should always make a person a better, more productive, and more agreeable worker. People will not be inclined to listen to the testimony of a Christian who does shoddy, careless work or who is constantly complaining. If a Christian finds an employment situation to be intolerable, the believer should quit and look for something else. But as long as one is employed we should do the work to the best of our ability. However, as with wives and children, the employee would not be obligated to do anything unethical, illegal, immoral, or to endanger himself or others. He would be free to find other employment within the will of God (Anders, M. (1999). Galatians-Colossians (Vol. 8, p. 189). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.).
The employer is identified here as an "earthly master" The intent of that prepositional phrase is to emphasize that, while the authority–submission relationship is important and is to be respected, it is only temporal. It lasts only in this life and does not apply to moral and spiritual concerns at any time or under any circumstances.
The believer’s attitude in obeying their employer is to be one of fear and trembling (cf. 1 Cor. 2:3; 2 Cor. 7:15; Phil. 2:12). The idea is not that of cowering fright but of the honor and respect that make a person anxious to please. It does not mean that slaves must approve of tyrannical methods or that they must melt with fear before their masters. It does mean, however, that they should be filled with conscientious attentiveness when they recognize the real nature of their assignment, namely, so to conduct themselves toward their masters that the latter whether they be believers or not, will be able to see what the Christian faith accomplishes within the hearts of all who practice it, not excluding slaves (Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953–2001). Exposition of Ephesians (Vol. 7, pp. 263–264). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.).
If one cannot honor and respect their employer for the employer’s own sake, a believer respects their boss for the Lord’s sake as one under whom they are to submit. Although people terribly abuse it, the principle of authority and submission is God–given and is always to be honored. God has allowed bosses to be where they are and subordinates to be where they are, and the faithful believer willingly and graciously submits to those under whose authority God has placed them. The place where a believer works is part of their field of service for the Lord, and it is often a mission field. When one does their work carefully and respectfully it is a testimony to unbelievers, an encouragement to believers, and an act of service to God.
The fourth qualification for proper submission to masters, or employers, is working with a sincere heart. It is not work done in a hypocritical and superficial manner but genuine and thorough. The idea is to do well the work we are assigned to do, without complaining, bragging, criticizing the work of others, or in any other way being disruptive. (cf. 1 Thes. 4:10-12)
A Christian’s primary concern about their job should be simply to do it well to the glory of God, as to Christ. Being filled with the Spirit brings practical results, including those of being a reliable, productive, and cooperative worker. And whenever a Christian is submissive to the Holy Spirit their accomplishments are as to Christ, because Christ is both the origin and the goal of his obedience. As one does everything out of love for Christ, by the power of Christ, and to the glory of Christ. “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do,” Paul says, “do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). If we work with merely selfish aims, we cannot expect God to give a call to a more influential ministry. The Lord only appoints those over much who have been faithful over little (Matt. 25:21).
When Spirit–filled Christians are sincerely obedient to their employers as to Christ, they will work, as verse 6 specifies: 6]not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. The faithful believer does not simply do the minimum his job requires, much less work only when their supervisor or other workers are watching, that is, by the way of eye-service. A faithful Christian does not need to be checked up on, because such a person always does their work to the best of their ability, whether or not anyone else is around. And such a person works just as hard when they are passed over for a raise or promotion as when they are being considered for them. A faithful Christian does not do a good job to make a good impression on other people (as do people–pleasers) or to promote their own welfare. If one gains those things, they are incidental to their primary motive and intention. A believer works diligently because to do so is the will of God and is the sincere desire of their own heart.
The admonition in verse 7, commands believers in rendering service with a good will as to the Lord, and not to man repeats and reinforces what Paul has just said. With a good will expresses the attitude of the worker who does not need prompting or compelling. When a Christian is where God wants them to be and is obedient in rendering service with a good will as to the Lord, that is the most challenging, productive, and rewarding place to be. Every day should be a day of service to the Lord.“Whatever your hand finds to do,” Solomon tells us, “do it with all your might” (Eccles. 9:10). In his letter to Rome, Paul tells us not to lag behind in diligence but to be “fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (Rom. 12:11), and in Colossians, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men” (Col. 3:23). That is the work attitude of the Spirit–filled Christian. The very essence of Christianity is serving, not being served (Matt 20:26–28). Even God’s own Son came in the form of a slave (Phil 2:7) and learned obedience through what he suffered (Heb 5:8). His example as a suffering servant made the abuse endured by Christian slaves both tolerable and purposeful (1 Pet 2:18–25) (Boles, K. L. (1993). Galatians & Ephesians (Eph 6:7). Joplin, MO: College Press.)
A believer does their work diligently for the Lord’s sake in the assurance as verse 8 states: knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. God’s credits and rewards are always dependable and always appropriate. An employer may not appreciate or even be aware of the good work done, perhaps because they are indifferent or because someone else takes credit for what is done. But God knows and God rewards. No good thing done in His name and for His glory can pass His notice or fail to receive His blessing.
Illustration:5180 Bininger Chooses Slavery
Abraham Bininger, a Swiss boy from Zurich, came with his parents on the same ship that brought John Wesley. The father and mother of the lad both died on the voyage and were buried at sea, and he stepped alone from the gangway on to a strange continent, where there was not a single familiar face. When he had grown to manhood, he asked to be sent to tell the story of the cross to the blacks of the island of St. Thomas, having heard of their great misery and degradation. When he arrived at the island, he learned that it was against the law for any person but a slave to preach to the slaves. It was the policy of the planters to keep the blacks in ignorance and superstition. Shortly after this the governor of St. Thomas received a letter signed Abraham Bininger, in which the writer begged urgently to become a slave for the rest of his life, promising to serve as a slave faithfully, provided he could give his leisure time to preaching to his fellow-slaves. The governor sent the letter to the King of Denmark, who was so touched by it that he sent an edict empowering Abraham Bininger to tell the story of the Messiah when and where he chose—to black or white, bond or free. (Youth’s Companion as recorded in Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 1176). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.)
If Abraham was willing to give up his freedom for the souls of those slaves, and Christ gave everything so we can be free, what are we willing to give up for the sake of our lost neighbors, friends, co-workers and family?
2) The Submission of Employers (Ephesians 6:9)
Ephesians 6:9 [9]Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him. (ESV)
Paul’s closing remarks about the mutual submission of Spirit–filled believers are addressed to masters, and, by extension, to Christian employers of every sort. Their attitude toward their workers is to be basically the same as that which the workers should have for them: do the same to them.
The antecedent of the same things most likely is the command at the end of verse 6, “doing the will of God from the heart,” on which verses 7–8 are a commentary. A Christian employer’s relationship to employees should have the same motivation and goal as a Christian worker’s relationship to their employer: the desire to obey and please the Lord. An employer is to use authority “as to the Lord,” just as workers are to submit to authority “as to the Lord.” That is an expression of their mutual submission in being “subject to one another in the fear of Christ” (Eph. 5:21). This is a PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE. Here again is the needed balance to slave owners; as 5:29 is to husbands and 6:4 is to parents. Each must act out of godly (Spirit-filled) principles, not social privilege. Jesus’ golden rule (Matt. 7:12) applies here. (Utley, R. J. (1997). Paul Bound, the Gospel Unbound: Letters from Prison (Colossians, Ephesians and Philemon, then later, Philippians) (Vol. Volume 8, p. 136). Marshall, TX: Bible Lessons International.)
A Christian employer’s first work, just as a Christian employee’s first work, is to do God’s will and to manifest Christlikeness in all that one does. A godly employer makes business decisions first of all on the basis of God’s standards of righteousness, truth, and honesty—seeking to manifest the nature and will of his heavenly Father in everything done. Dealings with employees should be on the basis of their own welfare and best interests as well as of those of business. An employer deals with them fairly because that is His Lord’s will. They should be treated with respect because to do so is to respect and honor the Lord. One of the greatest examples of this in the Bible is Boaz in the Book of Ruth. He greeted his workers with, “The Lord be with you!” And they replied, “The Lord bless thee!” (Ruth 2:4) Boaz was sensitive to the needs of his workers and generous to the stranger, Ruth. His relationship with his workers was one of mutual respect and a desire to glorify the Lord (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 55–56). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
The Spirit–filled employer is careful to stop/give up threatening. This is a PRESENT ACTIVE PARTICIPLE used as an IMPERATIVE. The word literally means “to loosen up.” (Utley, R. J. (1997). Paul Bound, the Gospel Unbound: Letters from Prison (Colossians, Ephesians and Philemon, then later, Philippians) (Vol. Volume 8, p. 136). Marshall, TX: Bible Lessons International.)
Authority and power must be used as little as possible and does not throw weight around or lord it over those under in authority. Dealings should never be abusive or inconsiderate. One must realize that authority, though God–given, is strictly functional and temporary. Employers and workers alike are under the supreme authority of God, their Master is the same on earth and in heaven. The faithful Christian employer is a fellow servant of Jesus Christ with employees, and is accountable to the same Master.
Please turn to Romans 2(p.940)
Before God, an employer is no more important or worthy in themselves than the least of employees, because there is no partiality with Him (cf Acts 10:34; Rom. 2:11; James 2:9). An employer plays no favorites because God plays no favorites.
Romans 2:6-11 [6]He will render to each one according to his works: [7]to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; [8]but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. [9]There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, [10]but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. [11]For God shows no partiality. (ESV)
•Impartiality in judgment (v. 11) is a regular requirement in the OT (see Deut. 1:17; 16:18–20), reflecting the righteousness of God’s judgment (Deut. 10:17) (Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 2160). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.).
Spirit–filled believers—whether husbands or wives, parents or children, employers or employees—are to be mutually submissive because they are equally loved, equally cared for, and equally subservient to a common Master, their Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.
(Format note: Outline & some base commentary from MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1986). Ephesians (pp. 321–331). Chicago: Moody Press.)
