Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
Every good thing any person does will be given back to that person by the Lord, whether enslaved or free, with no difference for earthly rank or standing. The good He repays is willing, sincere service done from the heart as to the Lord and as unto Christ, doing the will of God, not with eyeservice to please people or win human approval. It is spoken as household instruction for parents and children, servants and masters, employers and employed, calling servants to obey with singleness of heart and masters to forbear threats because their own Master is in heaven with no respect of persons. All faithful work done for Christ is certain of reward from the Lord who sees and records faithfulness, so workers are safe only as they look past human inspection to God and serve as Christ's servants by His approval. Employers are likewise accountable to God who weighs their actions, and must therefore treat workers fairly, pay promptly, and put away oppression, unkindness and tyranny, knowing He will repay in full measure.
Context and Meaning
Paul's instruction in this verse belongs to household order for parents and children, servants and masters, employers and employed. It is doctrine and duty learned from the Word under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to be carried as ambassadors with the whole heart consecrated to be molded and fashioned after the divine likeness. Within that order fathers are to bring up children in the nurture of the Lord, servants are to obey earthly masters with sincere hearts, masters are to do the same toward servants and forbear threatening because their own Master is in heaven with no respect of persons, and all are to be strong in the Lord and in His might.
The promise is that every good thing any person does will be given back to him by the Lord, whether enslaved or free. Earthly status and social standing make no difference in the return. The good meant is willing, sincere service done from the heart with good will as to the Lord and as unto Christ, doing the will of God and what the Word teaches. It is not eyeservice as men-pleasers and not merely to please people or seek human approval, but in singleness of heart with fear and trembling.
In its household setting the instruction also warns that disobedience to parents and neglect of God's requirements bring consequences that must be faced in judgment. The verse belongs further to instruction about daily spiritual warfare. It is the Captain's order and plan of battle showing the preparation needed for the conflict against evil, calling for the principles of righteousness to govern all work. Joined to it is assurance of supernatural assistance by which in human weakness His soldiers are enabled to do deeds of omnipotence in withstanding the evil one.
Faithful Work Rewarded
Whatsoever good thing any person does will be received back again from the Lord, whether bond or free, so that all faithful work done for Christ is certain of divine reward. The reward comes from the Lord Himself rather than merely from the employer, for He sees and records faithfulness and His eyes behold all the works of the hands. Those who do what the Word teaches and do God's word receive it, without distinction of earthly status or social standing.
Workers are safe only as they look beyond human authority and human inspection to God in heaven. Safety is found in looking to Jesus as Author and Finisher of faith and taking Him as Pattern rather than any human being, asking whether Christ approves their use of time and their appointed work. This means taking an appointed place in Christian work and serving faithfully as Christ's servants, doing willing service from the heart with good will as to the Lord and as unto Christ and not to men. The promise is to be studied and practiced by all who are associated together in common labor.
Negligent, slothful work is an offense chiefly against God and forms character for unfaithfulness. No unfaithful work will bear the signature well done, while doing all to the glory of God brings reward. The promise thus encourages faithfulness in doing good amid trials and temptation.
Employees who work faithfully do it as service to the Lord, and servants are required to be faithful to earthly masters and content for Christ's sake. They are not to rise up against those in power or to resist their oppression. Employers are accountable to God who judges and weighs their actions, so they must treat workers fairly, pay them promptly, and avoid oppressive demands, unkindness, threats, and tyranny over the poor. They also have a Master in heaven with no respect of persons who will repay them in full measure for their deeds, with terrible woe upon tyrants.
Every good thing any person does will be given back to that person by the Lord, whether enslaved or free, with no difference for earthly rank or standing. The good He repays is willing, sincere service done from the heart as to the Lord and as unto Christ, doing the will of God, not with eyeservice to please people or win human approval. It is spoken as household instruction for parents and children, servants and masters, employers and employed, calling servants to obey with singleness of heart and masters to forbear threats because their own Master is in heaven with no respect of persons. All faithful work done for Christ is certain of reward from the Lord who sees and records faithfulness, so workers are safe only as they look past human inspection to God and serve as Christ's servants by His approval. Employers are likewise accountable to God who weighs their actions, and must therefore treat workers fairly, pay promptly, and put away oppression, unkindness and tyranny, knowing He will repay in full measure.
Context and Meaning
Paul's instruction in this verse belongs to household order for parents and children, servants and masters, employers and employed. It is doctrine and duty learned from the Word under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to be carried as ambassadors with the whole heart consecrated to be molded and fashioned after the divine likeness. Within that order fathers are to bring up children in the nurture of the Lord, servants are to obey earthly masters with sincere hearts, masters are to do the same toward servants and forbear threatening because their own Master is in heaven with no respect of persons, and all are to be strong in the Lord and in His might.
The promise is that every good thing any person does will be given back to him by the Lord, whether enslaved or free. Earthly status and social standing make no difference in the return. The good meant is willing, sincere service done from the heart with good will as to the Lord and as unto Christ, doing the will of God and what the Word teaches. It is not eyeservice as men-pleasers and not merely to please people or seek human approval, but in singleness of heart with fear and trembling.
In its household setting the instruction also warns that disobedience to parents and neglect of God's requirements bring consequences that must be faced in judgment. The verse belongs further to instruction about daily spiritual warfare. It is the Captain's order and plan of battle showing the preparation needed for the conflict against evil, calling for the principles of righteousness to govern all work. Joined to it is assurance of supernatural assistance by which in human weakness His soldiers are enabled to do deeds of omnipotence in withstanding the evil one.
Faithful Work Rewarded
Whatsoever good thing any person does will be received back again from the Lord, whether bond or free, so that all faithful work done for Christ is certain of divine reward. The reward comes from the Lord Himself rather than merely from the employer, for He sees and records faithfulness and His eyes behold all the works of the hands. Those who do what the Word teaches and do God's word receive it, without distinction of earthly status or social standing.
Workers are safe only as they look beyond human authority and human inspection to God in heaven. Safety is found in looking to Jesus as Author and Finisher of faith and taking Him as Pattern rather than any human being, asking whether Christ approves their use of time and their appointed work. This means taking an appointed place in Christian work and serving faithfully as Christ's servants, doing willing service from the heart with good will as to the Lord and as unto Christ and not to men. The promise is to be studied and practiced by all who are associated together in common labor.
Negligent, slothful work is an offense chiefly against God and forms character for unfaithfulness. No unfaithful work will bear the signature well done, while doing all to the glory of God brings reward. The promise thus encourages faithfulness in doing good amid trials and temptation.
Employees who work faithfully do it as service to the Lord, and servants are required to be faithful to earthly masters and content for Christ's sake. They are not to rise up against those in power or to resist their oppression. Employers are accountable to God who judges and weighs their actions, so they must treat workers fairly, pay them promptly, and avoid oppressive demands, unkindness, threats, and tyranny over the poor. They also have a Master in heaven with no respect of persons who will repay them in full measure for their deeds, with terrible woe upon tyrants.