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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ephesians 6:1-9

Here we have further directions concerning relative duties, in which the apostle is very particular. I. The duty of children to their parents. Come, you children, hearken to me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord. The great duty of children is to obey their parents (Eph. 6:1), parents being the instruments of their being, God and nature having given them an authority to command, in subserviency to God; and, if children will be obedient to their pious parents, they will be in a fair way to... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Ephesians 6:5-9

6:5-9 Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as you would Christ himself. Do not work only when you are being watched. Do not work only to satisfy men. But work as the slave of Christ, doing God's will heartily. Let your service be given with good-will, as to Christ and not to men. Be well assured that each of us, whether he is slave or free, will be rewarded by the Lord for whatever good we have done. And you masters, act in the same way towards your... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Ephesians 6:5-9

Paul's advice to slaves provides us with the gospel of the Christian workman. (i) He does not tell them to rebel; he tells them to be Christian where they are. The great message of Christianity to every man is that it is where God has set us that we must live out the Christian life. The circumstances may be all against us, but that only makes the challenge greater. Christianity does not offer us escape from circumstances; it offers us conquest of circumstances. (ii) He tells the slaves... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 6:9

And ye masters do the same things unto them ,.... This does not refer to service and obedience, but to singleness of heart, benevolence, humanity, and a regard to Christ, and the will of God, and to the doing of good things, and to the performance of their duty, as they would have their servants do theirs; whose duty, if religious masters, is, with respect to their souls, to instruct them in, and use them to religious exercises, to pray with them, and for them, to set them good examples, to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 6:9

Ye masters, do the same things unto them - Act in the same affectionate, conscientious manner towards your slaves and servants, as they do towards you. Forbearing threatening - If they should transgress at any time, lean more to the side of mercy than justice; and when ye are obliged to punish, let it be as light and as moderate as possible; and let revenge have no part in the chastisement, for that is of the devil, and not of God. The words, forbearing threatening; ανιεντες την... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 6:9

Verse 9 9.And ye masters. In the treatment of their slaves, the laws granted to masters a vast amount of power. Whatever had thus been sanctioned by the civil code was regarded by many as in itself lawful. To such an extent did their cruelty in some instances proceed, that the Roman emperors were forced to restrain their tyranny. But though no royal edicts had ever been issued for the protection of slaves, God allows to masters no power over them beyond what is consistent with the law of love.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 6:5-9

Duties of servants and masters. I. DUTY OF SERVANTS . Recognized as constituent members of the Church, and, however little esteemed by man, as greatly regarded by God. In Christ all are brethren, for all are brothers of Christ, therefore of one another. 1. The duty of servants is obedience. Qualities of the obedience. 2. The reward of good service . Whatsoever good you do, you shall receive of the Lord; he will repay you. We are apt to be jealous of this doctrine. It... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 6:5-9

The Christian treatment of slavery. The treatment of slavery by Christianity is one of the most interesting of themes. Because Christianity did not preach a servile war, that is, did not propose emancipation by force, it was imagined that it was a conniver in the selfish plot against the liberties of man. But Christianity confines itself to spiritual means. It is by a spirit that it regenerates mankind. Force and mechanical appliances may subserve its purposes, judgment may have to take... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 6:5-9

The duties of servants and masters. I. DUTY OF SERVANTS . "Servants, be obedient unto them that according to the flesh are your masters." The Revisers have shown good judgment in retaining "servants" here, and putting "bond-servants" in the margin. For though" bond" (the same word) is in the eighth verse distinguished from "free," yet the thought requires a modification of the meaning. It would be pedantic to translate in the sixth verse "bond-servants of Christ" (or elsewhere,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 6:5-9

Servants and their masters. "Servants," etc. There are two thoughts underlying these verses. 1. The existence of social distinction , s amongst men . There are masters and servants, rulers and subjects. These distinctions are no accidental phases of society, they grow out of the constitution of things. Diversity in the temperaments, tastes, capacities, and circumstances of men give rise to masters and servants. 2. The one spirit which is to govern men of all distinctions . ... read more

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