Instructions to Masters Ephesians 6:9

Paul the apostle gave several instructions to the “servants” who were part of the Ephesian church. He told them to “be obedient” to their “masters” “as to the Lord”, and they were to do so without “eye-service” or as “men-pleasures” because their “good things” would be “reciprocated” from “the Lord” whether they were “bond or free”. In chapter six and verse nine of his letter, Paul turned his attention toward those who were “masters” within the church of Ephesus as he gave them instructions for their behavior. We read:

And, you 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.

The verse begins, “And, you masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening:” Paul began with the words, “And, you masters” which refers to “person to whom a person or thing belongs who has the power of deciding, lord, and possessor and disposer of a thing; the owner”, “do the same things” or “make, keep, produce, form and fashion the imitated or identical ways or works” “unto them” which refers to the “servants”, “forbearing” or “sending back, relaxing, omitting, calming, not allowing to uphold or sink in” “threatening” which means “menace, minacious, ominous and sinister acts”. “Masters”, according to Paul, were to understand the importance of managing their “servants” in a proper manner without exposing them to “sinister threats and acts”.

The verse goes on to say, “knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.” Paul continued, “knowing” or “perceiving, noticing, discerning and discovering” “that your Master” which refers to “the Person to whom people or things belong about which He has the power of deciding, the Lord” “also is in heaven” which means “this Master dwells the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings”; “neither” or “there is not also, even, indeed, then, therefore and yet” “is there respect of persons” which refers to “partiality or favoritism concerning people” “with him” or “God”. God Almighty is the Ultimate “Master” who dwells in “heaven”, and all “masters” are to remember He is the Supreme One they serve.

When we consider these words of Paul, we notice that Paul had much exhortation for the “masters” as he did for the “servants”. Again if we use our modern similar positions, these are “bosses” and “employees”. “Masters” or “bosses” must realize they will give an account to their “Ultimate Master”, Jesus Christ, for the manner in which they handle their “servants” or “employees”. We are all under one Divine “Master”, and whether we be “servants” or “masters” our works shall be judge by Him. May the Lord Jesus through His Holy Spirit help all who will consider these words of Paul to know just how important “serving” the Lord is, and should we fall short of our duty with our “servants” or “employees”, may God's conviction be upon us as we consider ourselves standing before Him.

Next time Paul tells the Ephesian church members to “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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