Ephesians 6:5, commentary and pictures

The command is for servants to obey their earthly masters according to the flesh with reverent fear and with singleness and sincerity of undivided, wholehearted service, as service rendered to Christ Himself. That obedience is to be given with respect and sincere hearts, as they would serve Christ, coming from the heart and from principle. It must not be outward eye-service to please men, nor careless or disrespectful of authority, but sincere work from the heart as servants of Christ doing the will of God, with good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men, done intelligently and wholeheartedly.

The servant is to take Christ and not any human being as pattern and standard, asking whether Christ approves the use of time and the work done. He is to look beyond human authority to God in heaven whose eye sees all the works of the hands, though a human master has lawful authority and may rightly inspect work. No human voice may set the limit of duty. The Lord will reward whatever good any person does, whether bond or free. Negligent, slothful work offends God more than men and forms character for unfaithfulness, and only work done faithfully to the glory of God can receive His approval and His well done.

The duty is reciprocal, for masters and employers, who with their servants both belong to Christ as the true Master and depend on one another, must deal in the same spirit. They must act without threatening, harshness, overwork, delayed wages, contempt or tyranny, but with fairness, Christian integrity and kindness, knowing their own Master is in heaven with whom there is no partiality. The master also has a Master in heaven who will requite him in full measure for his deeds, with terrible woe upon those who tyrannize over the poor. God enjoins the servant to be faithful to his earthly master and to be contented for Christ's sake, rendering obedient service as unto Christ rather than rising up against those in power or resisting their oppression.

The exhortation belongs to the call to be strong in the Lord and put on the whole armor of God to stand against the wiles of the devil and to withstand in the evil day, wrestling not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness. It stands alongside the truth that those dead in trespasses and sins are quickened together with Christ and raised to sit in heavenly places, saved by grace through faith unto good works which God ordained. Obedience in a servant's daily work is thus part of spiritual warfare, and the principles of righteousness are to govern all work. The duty of servants toward masters and masters toward servants, with that of employers and employed and of parents and children, is doctrine and duty to be learned from the Word under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and to be studied and practiced by all associated together in the work, including the Office. Fulfilling it requires the whole heart consecrated to God for Him to mold and fashion after the divine similitude, as Christ's ambassadors with a message of truth in a great work to be cut short in righteousness, with each person accountable to God.