Ephesians 6:9
Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's so striking here is Paul’s direct command for masters to "do the same things" as their slaves were instructed, which means showing the same earnest spirit and conscientiousness, not just performing duties. He also calls them to "forbear threatening," meaning to actively cease from the custom of intimidating their slaves, recognizing that their heavenly Master shows no favoritism and will hold them accountable for their actions.
Paul has just instructed slaves on how to serve their earthly masters with sincerity and obedience, reminding them they ultimately serve Christ. Now, he turns to the masters, urging them to treat their slaves with the same kind spirit and justice, refraining from threats and remembering their shared Master in heaven who shows no favoritism. This instruction is part of a larger section of Ephesians addressing household relationships and duties within the early church.
Paul tells masters to "do the same things" to their servants. What does this radical call for reciprocity actually look like in practice?
In Ephesians 6:9, Paul instructs masters to "do the same things unto them." This isn't about an identical exchange of roles, but a shared spirit of conduct.
A Two-Way Street
Just as servants were called to serve with sincerity and obedience as if serving Christ (v. 5-8), masters are called to treat their servants with a similar spirit of conscientiousness and care. The "same things" refer to demonstrating the same kindness, fidelity, and respect for God's will that servants were to show their masters.
Beyond Legal Rights
While the Roman world had laws governing slavery, Paul grounds this command not in legal precedent, but in a higher principle: divine law. He calls masters to give their servants what is "just and equal," recognizing their shared humanity and their mutual accountability to God. This means not taking advantage of their power to oppress or punish unreasonably.
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Paul reminds masters that God shows no favoritism. How does this truth dismantle the social hierarchies of the ancient world?
The core of Paul's argument for equitable treatment lies in the nature of God Himself.
The Divine Equalizer
Paul states that masters should remember "that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him." This is a radical concept for the first century. God does not play favorites based on social standing, wealth, or position.
A Challenging Reality
In a society rigidly defined by hierarchy – master over slave, citizen over foreigner, man over woman – the idea that God sees all equally is revolutionary. He doesn't grant special privileges to the master simply because of his status, nor does He discount the slave because of his lowly position. Both are accountable to the same Lord.
Impact on the World
This truth has profound implications. It means a slave is not mere property but a fellow human being, accountable to God, and for whom Christ died. It also means masters will be judged by their actions towards those under them, just as servants will be judged. This principle inherently undermines the justification for oppressive systems like slavery, paving the way for eventual change.
Understand the original words
kyrios · Greek Noun
Those who possess authority over others; in a biblical context, they are held accountable to God for how they treat their subordinates.
apeilē · Greek Noun
To cause alarm or to intimidate through warnings of punishment or harm; forbidden for those under Christ’s lordship.
prosōpolēmpsia · Greek Noun
The divine attribute indicating that God does not judge based on human status, ethnicity, or social rank, but deals with all people according to truth and righteousness.
Paul's instruction to masters in Ephesians 6:9 arises within the context of the Roman Empire's pervasive slavery system. By reminding masters that their ultimate Master is in heaven and impartial, he subtly undermines the absolute power masters held and calls for a treatment of slaves that reflects divine justice and love.
c. 10th century BC
Hebrew Law on Slavery
The Old Testament Law provided specific regulations for the treatment of Hebrew slaves, emphasizing their humanity and rights, and forbidding abuse. Non-Hebrew slaves were also subject to laws, but the context was different.
c. 8th - 6th century BC
Prophetic Condemnations of Injustice
Prophets like Amos and Jeremiah condemned the powerful for oppressing the poor and vulnerable, including enslaved people, denouncing societal injustice and calls for righteousness.
1st century BC - 1st century AD
Roman Slavery System
The Roman Empire, within which Paul wrote Ephesians, had a widespread and deeply entrenched system of slavery, where individuals could be owned as property, often subjected to harsh conditions and absolute authority.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry and Teachings
Jesus' teachings on love, compassion, and the inherent worth of all individuals laid a foundation that implicitly challenged the dehumanizing aspects of slavery, even if he did not directly call for emancipation.
c. AD 40s - 60s— this verse
Apostolic Teachings on Social Relations
Apostles like Paul addressed the realities of slavery within the early church, urging masters to treat their slaves with fairness and kindness, and slaves to obey their masters, all within the framework of their shared faith in Christ.
This passage mirrors Ephesians 6:9 by directly instructing masters to treat their servants with 'justice and fairness,' highlighting the concept of equitable treatment that transcends social status.
James 2:1-4James strongly condemns favoritism and partiality, especially in religious gatherings, which directly parallels Paul's warning to masters that God shows no favoritism, regardless of social standing.
Luke 12:48Jesus' parable about the servants emphasizes accountability; the one who knows his master's will but doesn't act will be beaten more severely, underscoring the principle that greater responsibility comes with greater privilege, a concept relevant to masters.
Romans 2:11This verse explicitly states that God 'shows no partiality,' serving as a foundational explanation for Paul's instruction to masters that their divine Master is impartial and will judge based on actions, not status.
1 Peter 1:17Peter reminds believers to 'live their lives as strangers here in reverent fear,' specifically mentioning that God 'judges each one justly without favoritism,' reinforcing the impartiality of God that masters must remember.
vincentEphesians 6:9: "And, ye 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."
Forbearing (ἀνιέντες)See on the kindred noun ἄνεσις, A.V., liberty, Acts 24:23.Threatening (τὴν ἀπειλήν)Note the article, the threatening customary from the master to the slave.KnowingSince ye know.Your master also (ὑμῶν αὐτῶν ὁ κυριός)The correct reading is καὶ αὐτῶν καὶ ὑμῶν ὁ κυριός both their ma…
barnesEphesians 6:9: "And, ye 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."
And, ye masters - The object of this is, to secure for servants a proper treatment. It is evident, from this, that there were in the Christian church those who were "masters;" and the most obvious interpretation is, that they were the owners of slaves. Some such persons would be converted, as such are now. Paul did not…
What's so striking here is Paul’s direct command for masters to "do the same things" as their slaves were instructed, which means showing the same earnest spirit and conscientiousness, not just performing duties. He also calls them to "forbear threatening," meaning to actively cease from the custom of intimidating their slaves, recognizing that their heavenly Master shows no favoritism and will hold them accountable for their actions.
Paul has just instructed slaves on how to serve their earthly masters with sincerity and obedience, reminding them they ultimately serve Christ. Now, he turns to the masters, urging them to treat their slaves with the same kind spirit and justice, refraining from threats and remembering their shared Master in heaven who shows no favoritism. This instruction is part of a larger section of Ephesians addressing household relationships and duties within the early church.
Paul has just instructed slaves on how to serve their earthly masters with sincerity and obedience, reminding them they ultimately serve Christ. Now, he turns to the masters, urging them to treat their slaves with the same kind spirit and justice, refraining from threats and remembering their shared Master in heaven who shows no favoritism. This instruction is part of a larger section of Ephesians addressing household relationships and duties within the early church.
"Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him." — What's so striking here is Paul’s direct command for masters to "do the same things" as their slaves were instructed, which means showing the same earnest spirit and conscientiousness, not just perfo…
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