Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Sermons
I. THEIR DUTY IS SUMMED UP IN THE SINGLE WORD "OBEDIENCE." Christianity does not rudely strike at existing relations in life, but seeks to improve and sanctify them. In its appeals to slaves as well as to masters, it sowed the seed-corn, small as a grain of mustard seed, which grew into a harvest of emancipation in the ages which were to see the full power of the gospel. Obedience was therefore the duty of slaves, or servants, "in all things" (Colossians 3:22), that is, in all things included within the sphere of a master's rightful authority, not contrary to the Law of God, or the gospel of Christ, or the dictates of conscience. It is set forth first in a negative, then in a positive form. 1. Negatively. "Not with eye-service, as men-pleasers." This word is coined by the apostle for the occasion. Eye-service is either work done only to please the eye, but which cannot bear to be tested, or it may be good work done only when the master's eye is upon the worker. This was a vice peculiar to slavery. But it enters into all forms of service. Dishonest work is to be avoided quite as much as dishonest words. An acted lie is as dishonorable as a spoken one. There must be no mere perfunctory discharge of human duties. 2. Positively. (1) "With fear and trembling." Not from regard to the lash of the master, but with an anxious and tremulous desire to do our duty thoroughly. Obedience is to be yielded "with all fear" (1 Peter 2:18), that is, with the fear of incurring the just rebukes of their masters, and "as fearing God" (Colossians 3:22). (2) "In singleness of heart, as unto Christ." In simplicity and sincerity of spirit, without dissimulation or hypocrisy. There is a great temptation to duplicity in those subjected to another's will, especially if the service is irksome or unreasonable. Let there be a single desire to do your duty. (3) "With good-will doing service," not grudgingly, or murmuringly, or by constraint, but with cheerfulness and alacrity, "seeking to please them well in all things," that they may obtain their good will (Titus 2:9). II. THE MOTIVES TO SUCH OBEDIENCE. 1. The command of God here addressed to all servants. 2. The Lord's mastership, for they are "the servants of Christ," and are "doing service as to the Lord, and not to men." Here is the constraining force of the Lord's love. How this motive sweetens, sanctifies, ennobles work! The work is done, not for wages, not by constraint, but "unto the Lord," and therefore becomes part of our worship. It is thus that the Lord has married the work of earth to the worship of heaven. 3. The rewards of this service: "Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive,.., whether he be bond or free." Whatever disappointment may mix itself with the service of men, the Lord will have a rich reward in store for the faithful worker. He is not unrighteous to forget your labor of love, for "of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance" (Colossians 3:24). 4. The honor of the gospel. His Name and his doctrine will be blasphemed by a contrary spirit (1 Timothy 6:1; Titus 2:10). 5. The example of Christ himself. He "took upon him the form of a servant;" for "he came not to be ministered unto, but to minister." He always did the things which pleased God, and has set us an example that we should follow in his steps. - T.C.
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. - I. BE FAITHFUL for the sake of Christ your Lord. I mean, be loyal to the trust reposed in you; repay it by strict fidelity, incorruptible honesty, and steady devotion to those interests of the household committed to your charge.II. BE DILIGENT. Give to your service the energy that you would give to Christ; put it on the highest and firmest ground. Give your best, because it is the Lord's work you are doing; it is the Lord's "Well done" you are winning; it is the Lord's wage you will receive at last. III. BE PATIENT. Many commands may seem unreasonable; many tempers you have to do with, irritable and arrogant. Take it up into a higher region. See how far the thought of Christ will enable you to do and bear. Be always more ready to obey than to question, to work than to wrangle, to submit than to rebel; and you will do well. And do not be always thinking that you can better yourself; be patient, and "rather bear the ills you have, than fly to others that you know not of." IV. BE CHEERFUL. Nothing makes such sunlight on earth as cheerful, joyful fulfilment of duty. We have never mastered the lesson of life till we can sing to our tasks, and smile as we sing. Make it your study daily to wear a cheerful aspect as you go about your duty, and to make your life a willing, joyful service to your heavenly King. V. BE SURE THAT YOUR LABOUR SHALL NOT BE IN VAIN IN THE LORD. No work done for Christ ever fails of a blessing. (J. B. Brown, B. A.) I. Let us consider THE DUTIES OF SERVANTS, as they are represented to us in Scripture.1. The first point, then, which is enforced in every passage relating to this subject, is obedience (Colossians 3:22; Titus 2:9; 1 Peter 2:18). Such obedience does not rest on any mere law or custom of man, but on the plain word of Almighty God. There cannot be any disgrace in homing the place of a servant. Can there be shame in that, to which the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, the Lord of glory, submitted? (Philippians 2:6-8; Hebrews 5:8.) But of what kind should your obedience be? The apostle has taught you that as to its extent it should be universal. "Obey in all things your masters," that is, in all things which are not contrary to the higher law of your heavenly Master: in all else obey readily and without limitation (Philippians 2:14). In small things as well as great. As servants should show obedience to their masters in all lawful things, so should they show it with reverence and meekness, or, as it is expressed in the text, "with fear and trembling," lest ye should offend them. 2. Another duty of a servant is to add to his obedience a constant endeavour to please. Let your services be seen to flow not from necessity or interest alone, but from the attachment of a willing heart. 3. A third duty is strict faithfulness and honesty. An unfaithful servant is in itself a term of deep reproach. He owes much to those into whose service he enters. He is sheltered beneath their roof; he shares the comforts of their home, is placed beyond the reach of want, eats of his master's bread, and drinks of his master's cup. Much is confided to him. His master's goods are placed beneath his care, and are justly required at his hand. II. The DUTIES OF A MASTER (see Colossians 4:1). 1. A master is bound in justice to keep to the full the terms of his agreement - to give to his apprentice the needful instruction in his business, and to pay his servant the stipulated wages (Deuteronomy 24:14, 15; James 5:4). 2. The law of equity may be considered as binding a master to kindness, forbearance, and concern for the souls of his servants. It bids him show kindness, and thus extends further than the strict rule of justice. Reason and conscience are its umpires. III. MUTUAL ARE THE OBLIGATIONS UNDER WHICH MASTERS AND SERVANTS ARE PLACED TO EACH OTHER. Highly important are their respective duties, and each may truly glorify God in the sphere assigned them. But what are the motives, what is the principle that can produce such blessed fruit? It is summed up in the consideration - Ye have both a Master in heaven. "Ye are not your own"; "ye are bought with a price," even the precious blood of Christ. Servants l how powerfully is this motive pressed on you! "Be obedient to them that are your masters...in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to mere" How happy are you, if you have indeed become the servants of Christ. Then will it be your foremost desire and endeavour to adorn the doctrine of God your Saviour in all things. And, behold, how true religion can ennoble every station! Masters! "your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with Him." Ye and your servants are fellow servants of the Lord; you are members of the same body - His Church; you must speedily stand together before His judgment seat. (E. Blencowe, M. A.) (R. W. Dale, LL. D.)New Handbook of Illustration. (New Handbook of Illustration.)(C. H. Spurgeon.)I. The duties they owe to themselves:1. Religion. 2. Regard for truth. 3. Sobriety. 4. Chastity. 5. Frugality.These duties they owe partly to masters, but by their non-performance they damage themselves alone. II. Those which they owe to their employers: 1. Reverence and honour for them as superiors. 2. Obedience. 3. Good temper. 4. Fidelity - with regard to their property, their time, and their reputation. 5. Diligence. 6. Gratitude for kindness. III. Those which they owe to each other - peacefulness - temperateness - kindness. (J. A. James.) I. Let us look, first, AT THE PRECEPTS AND DIRECTIONS GIVEN TO SERVANTS. And one is struck with this: there is no hint thrown out, no suggestion whatever offered, as to its being right or necessary to quit one's occupation in order to serve Christ and promote His cause in the world. It is not an infrequent thought, in the minds especially of young men, when brought to the Lord, that they must give up their worldly occupation, and devote themselves wholly and exclusively to minister in holy things. And now let us notice the particulars which the apostle expressly mentions for a Christian servant to attend to.1. Observe the first command is obedience: "Servants, be obedient to your masters according to the flesh." 2. Further, in this preceptive part of his address, notice, secondly, how he enjoins a thorough devotedness to his master's interests. This will appear in making manifest your thorough trustworthiness and faithfulness. I do not speak of mere honesty; the apostle means much more than this, when he speaks of "showing all good fidelity." There is such a thing as seeking just to go through the daily routine with the spirit of a hireling, who will do no more than he must; who needs to be well looked after, or he will leave much neglected. Quite different is the spirit of a Christian servant: he will try his very utmost to please his employer; but he has a higher aim. What a pattern of this was Abraham's servant Eleazar, and Jacob in Laban's house, and Joseph in his captivity, first, in Potiphar's house, and then in his dungeon: his master "left all he had in Joseph's hand; he knew not ought he had, save the bread he did eat." No terms could more emphatically give the idea of perfect freedom from all care, produced and maintained by the perfect assurance of ability, assiduity, and incorruptible rectitude. II. But let us proceed to notice, secondly, THE MOTIVE WHICH THE APOSTLE HOLDS UP AS THE GOVERNING PRINCIPLE, THE RULING MOTIVE OF A TRULY CHRISTIAN SERVANT: "As the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart." "Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily: as to the Lord, and not unto men"; "for ye serve the Lord Christ." Again: "That ye may adorn" - ye servants, plain, humble, unnoticed, who have little to set you off in the eyes of the world - "that ye may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." In a word, let there be at the root of all - godliness: "Setting the Lord always before you." 1. Now, first, what a comprehensive principle is this! It reminds us of those wonderful triumphs of mechanical skill by which the same engine can be applied to lift the most ponderous masses, or to drive with the utmost delicacy, as with the feeble blow of an infant, the slenderest pin into its place. So with this principle of doing all as to the Lord. 2. And then, secondly, how ennobling and elevating a motive it is! The highest archangel knows no higher. 3. And then, thirdly, how consoling and comforting a motive is this to the humble Christian! "I am poor and needy, but the Lord careth for me" may he say. "One need not be in high station to serve the Saviour." III. And then, thirdly, LET US NOT FORGET THE PROMISE ANNEXED TO IT. "Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free." Oh! how often this is manifested even here in this life! Many are the houses where the pious servant has been the first to introduce the gospel, and by his "patient continuance in well-doing," has demonstrated its reality and power. (J. Cohen, M. A.) People Ephesians, Paul, TychicusPlaces EphesusTopics Anxiety, Bondmen, Christ, Eager, Earthly, Fear, Flesh, Heart, Masters, Motive, Natural, Obedient, Obey, Obeying, Ordered, Please, Respect, Servants, Simplicity, Sincerity, Singleness, Slaves, TremblingOutline 1. The duty of children toward their parents;5. of servants toward their masters. 10. Our life is a warfare, not only against flesh and blood, but also spiritual enemies. 13. The complete armor of a Christian; 18. and how it ought to be used. 21. Tychicus is commended. Dictionary of Bible Themes Ephesians 6:5 4065 orderliness 5959 submission 5017 heart, renewal 5523 servants, good 5629 work, ordained by God 7448 slavery, in NT Library February 6. "Praying Always for all Saints" (Eph. vi. 18). "Praying always for all saints" (Eph. vi. 18). One good counsel will suffice just now. Stop praying so much for yourself; begin to ask unselfish things, and see if God won't give you faith. See how much easier it will be to believe for another than for your own petty self. Try the effect of praying for the world, for definite things, for difficult things, for glorious things, for things that will honor Christ and save mankind, and after you have received a few wonderful answers to prayer in this … Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth The Armour of God Twenty First Sunday after Trinity the Christian Armor and Weapons. The Panoply of God 'The Girdle of Truth' 'The Breastplate of Righteousness' A Soldier's Shoes The Shield of Faith 'The Helmet of Salvation' 'The Sword of the Spirit' Peace, Love, and Faith The Wide Range of God's Grace The Sword of the Spirit Strong Christians. Third Day for all Saints "But if Ye have Bitter Envying," &C. The Christian Home Praying, Returning Thanks, Worshipping in the Holy Spirit. The Essence of Prayer. The Best Inheritance in Canaan Ascetic. 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