Ephesians 6:7

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 6:7

With good will doing service ,.... To their masters; not grudgingly, with an ill will; no otherwise, nor longer than when they are forced to it; but of a ready mind, and with a cheerful spirit, taking delight in their work, and reckoning it a pleasure to serve their masters; as an Israelite that is not sold, who does his work ברצונו , "with his good will", and according to his own mind F2 Maimon. Hilchot Abadim, c. 1. sect. 7. ; doing what they do as to the Lord, and not to men ;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 6:7

With good will - Μετ ' ευνοιας· With cheerfulness; do not take up your service as a cross, or bear it as a burden; but take it as coming in the order of God's providence, and a thing that is pleasing to him. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 6:7

Verse 7 With good will doing service. (Ver. 7.) This is contrasted with the suppressed indignation which swells the bosom of slaves. Though they dare not openly break out or give signs of obstinacy, their dislike of the authority exercised over them is so strong, that it is with the greatest unwillingness and reluctance that they obey their masters. Whoever reads the accounts of the dispositions and conduct of slaves, which are scattered through the writings of the ancients, will be at no loss... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 6:5-8

Duties of servants. It is interesting to reflect that the New Testament devotes more space to the instruction of servants than to the instruction of either parents or children, husbands or wives. The servants, or rather slaves, were a large and interesting class in the cities of Asia Minor, often greatly more numerous than freemen, and very many of them had embraced the gospel with great heartiness. There were obvious reasons for a studious minuteness in the counsels given to such a class.... 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

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