Ephesians 6:5

EPHESIANS—NOTE ON Ephesians 6:5 Bondservants. See note on 1 Cor. 7:21. It is estimated that slaves (or bondservants) composed about one-third of the population of a city like Ephesus. They were considered part of a family, so Paul’s instructions for bondservants were a natural part of his dealing with family relationships. Paul does not endorse the existing system of servitude (see esv Preface). Instead, he provides instructions to believing masters and bondservants regarding their relationship to each other in the Lord, and how this should be lived out within the bounds of their social and legal culture. The principles in this passage apply today in terms of submission to any lawful authority, unless it requires a believer to disobey God’s Word or to fundamentally compromise one’s commitment to Christ (see, e.g., Acts 4:19, Acts 4:20). with a sincere heart. Fulfilling one’s obligations is service to the Lord (see Ephesians 6:6).