Ephesians 6 · Verse 5

Ephesians 6:5

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;
Ephesians 6:5, King James Version

Ephesians 6:5 in other translations

BSBSlaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
WEBServants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ,
ASVServants, be obedient unto them that according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
YLTThe servants! obey the masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling, in the simplicity of your heart, as to the Christ;
DARBYBondmen, obey masters according to flesh, with fear and trembling, in simplicity of your heart as to the Christ;
BBEServants, do what is ordered by those who are your natural masters, having respect and fear for them, with all your heart, as to Christ;
WebsterServants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ;

What does Ephesians 6:5 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
5. Servants--literally, "slaves." masters according to the flesh--in contrast to your true and heavenly Master (Ep 6:4). A consolatory him that the mastership to which they were subject, was but for a time [Chrysostom]; and that their real liberty was still their own (1Co 7:22). fear and trembling--not slavish terror, but (See on 1Co 2:3; 2Co 7:15) an anxious eagerness to do your duty, and a fear of displeasing, as great as is produced in the ordinary slave by "threatenings" (Ep 6:9). singleness--without double-mindedness, or "eye service" (Ep 6:6), which seeks to please outwardly, without the sincere desire to make the master's interest at all times the first consideration (1Ch 29:17; Mt 6:22, 23; Lu 11:34). "Simplicity."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 5. Servants. οιδουλοι. The word here used denotes one who is bound to render service to another, whether that service be free or voluntary; and may denote, therefore, either a slave, or one who binds himself to render service to another. It is often used in these senses in the New Testament, just as it is elsewhere. It cannot be demonstrated that the word here necessarily means slaves; though, if slavery existed among those to whom this epistle was written-- as there can be little doubt that it did--it is a word which would apply to those in this condition. 1Cor 7:21; Gall 3:28. On the general subject of slavery, and the Scripture doctrine in regard to it, Isa 58:6. Whether the persons here referred to were slaves, or were those who had bound themselves to render a voluntary servitude, the directions here given were equally appropriate. It was not the design of the Christian religion to produce a rude sundering of the ties which bind man to man, but to teach all to perform their duties aright in the relations in which Christianity found them, and gradually to modify the customs of society, and to produce ultimately the universal prevalence of that which is right.

Be obedient to them. This is the uniform direction in the New Testament. See 1Pet 2:18, 1Timm 6:1-3. 1Cor 7:21. The idea is, that they were to show in that relation the excellence of the religion which they professed. If they could be made free, they were to prefer that condition to a state of bondage, 1Cor 7:21; but while the relation remained, they were to be kind, gentle, and obedient, as became Christians. In the parallel place in Colossians, Col 3:22,) it is said that they were to obey their masters "in all things." But evidently this is to be understood with the limitations implied in the case of wives and children, Eph 5:24; Eph 6:1, and a master would have no right to command that which was morally wrong.

According to the flesh. This is designed, evidently, to limit the obligation to obedience. The meaning is, that they had control over the body, the flesh. They had the power to command the service which the body could render; but they were not lords of the spirit. The soul acknowledged God as its Lord, and to the Lord they were to be subject in a higher sense than to their masters.

With fear and trembling. With reverence, and with a dread of offending them. They have authority and power over you, and you should be afraid to incur their displeasure. Whatever might be true about the propriety of slavery, and whatever might be the duty of the master about setting the slave free, it would be more to the honour of religion for the servant to perform his task with a willing mind, than to be contumacious and rebellious. He could do more for the honour of religion by patiently submitting to even what he felt to be wrong, than by being punished for what would be regarded as rebellion. It may be added here, that it was presumed that servants then could read. These directions were addressed to them, not to their masters. Of what use would be directions like these addressed to American slaves--scarce any of whom can read?

In singleness of your heart. With a simple, sincere desire to do what ought to be done.

As unto Christ. Feeling that by rendering proper service to your masters you are in fact serving the Lord, and that you are doing that which will be well-pleasing to him. 1Cor 7:22. Fidelity, in whatever situation we may be in life, is acceptable service to the Lord. A Christian may as acceptably serve the Lord Jesus in the condition of a servant, as if he were a minister of the gospel, or a king on a throne. Besides, it will greatly lighten the burdens of such a situation, and make the toils of an humble condition easy, to remember that we are then serving the Lord.

(a) "be obedient" 1Pet 2:18

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 5 Servants, be obedient - Though δουλος frequently signifies a slave or bondman, yet it often implies a servant in general, or any one bound to another, either for a limited time, or for life. Even a slave, if a Christian, was bound to serve him faithfully by whose money he was bought, howsoever illegal that traffic may be considered. In heathen countries slavery was in some sort excusable; among Christians it is an enormity and a crime for which perdition has scarcely an adequate state of punishment. According to the flesh - Your masters in secular things; for they have no authority over your religion, nor over your souls. With fear and trembling - Because the law gives them a power to punish you for every act of disobedience. In singleness of your heart - Not merely through fear of punishment, but from a principle of uprightness, serving them as you would serve Christ.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Ephesians 6:5-9
The duty of servants is summed up in one word, obedience. The servants of old were generally slaves. The apostles were to teach servants and masters their duties, in doing which evils would be lessened, till slavery should be rooted out by the influence of Christianity. Servants are to reverence those over them. They are to be sincere; not pretending obedience when they mean to disobey, but serving faithfully. And they must serve their masters not only when their master's eye is upon them; but must be strict in the discharge of their duty, when he is absent and out of the way. Steady regard to the Lord Jesus Christ will make men faithful and sincere in every station, not grudgingly or by constraint, but from a principle of love to the masters and their concerns. This makes service easy to them, pleasing to their masters, and acceptable to the Lord Christ. God will reward even the meanest drudgery done from a sense of duty, and with a view to glorify him. Here is the duty of masters. Act after the same manner. Be just to servants, as you expect they should be to you; show the like good-will and concern for them, and be careful herein to approve yourselves to God. Be not tyrannical and overbearing. You have a Master to obey, and you and they are but fellow-servants in respect to Christ Jesus. If masters and servants would consider their duties to God, and the account they must shortly give to him, they would be more mindful of their duty to each other, and thus families would be more orderly and happy.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Ephesians 6:5 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΟἱHoiyou who [are]G3588
δοῦλοι,douloislaves,G1401
ὑπακούετεhupakouetedo obeyG5219
τοῖςtoistheG3588
κατὰkataaccording toG2596
σάρκαsarkafleshG4561
κυρίοιςkurioismastersG2962
μετὰmetawithG3326
φόβουphoboufearG5401
καὶkaiandG2532
τρόμουtromoutremblingG5156
ἐνeninG1722
ἁπλότητιhaplotētisincerityG572
τῆςtēsof theG3588
καρδίαςkardiasheartG2588
ὑμῶνhumōnof youG4771
ὡςhōsasG5613
τῷtō<the>G3588
Χριστῷ.Christōto Christ.G5547

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Ephesians 6:5

  • 1 Peter 2:18-21

    Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

  • Titus 2:9-10

    Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

  • Colossians 3:17-24

    And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. …

  • Psalms 86:11

    Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

  • Ephesians 5:22

    Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

  • Malachi 1:6

    A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

  • Philippians 2:12

    Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

  • 1 Timothy 6:1-3

    Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

  • Matthew 6:24

    No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

  • Philemon 1:16

    Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

  • 1 Peter 3:2

    While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

  • 2 Corinthians 1:12

    For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
be.
Ge 16:9; Ps 123:2; Mal 1:6; Mt 6:24; 8:9; Ac 10:7,8; Col 3:22
1Ti 6:1-3; Tit 2:9,10; 1Pe 2:18-21
according.
Phm 1:16
with.
1Co 2:3; 2Co 7:15; Php 2:12; 1Pe 3:2
in.
24; Jos 24:14; 1Ch 29:17; Ps 86:11; Mt 6:22; Ac 2:46; 2Co 1:12
2Co 11:2,3
as.
1:1-23; 1Co 7:22; Col 3:17-24

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Ephesians 6:4

    And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

  • Ephesians 6:5

    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;

  • Ephesians 6:6

    Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

Read all of Ephesians 6

Ephesians 6:5 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Siervos, obedeced á vuestros amos según la carne con temor y temblor, con sencillez de vuestro corazón, como á Cristo;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Esclaves, obéissez à vos maîtres selon la chair avec crainte et tremblement, en simplicité de cœur, comme à Christ,
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ihr Knechte, gehorchet euren Herren nach dem Fleische mit Furcht und Zittern, in Einfalt eures Herzens, als dem Christus;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Servi, obedite dominis carnalibus cum timore et tremore, in simplicitate cordis vestri, sicut Christo: