To Slaves & Masters

[전승훈2]

Summary:
Slaves are instructed to obey their earthly masters with respect, sincerity, and singleness of heart, just as they would obey Christ. Their service is not to be done merely for outward appearance or to please men, but as the service of Christ Himself, doing the will of God from the heart. They are to serve with goodwill, knowing that whatever good anyone does will be repaid by the Lord, whether that person is slave or free.

Masters, in turn, are told to act toward their slaves in the same spirit and to give up threatening, because both master and slave share the same Master in heaven, and with Him there is no partiality.
 
Teaching:
Though slavery no longer exists in the same form today, in the workplace there are still supervisors and employers, and those who own businesses also have people working under them.

We are told to relate to our superiors as we would to Christ Himself. Scripture calls us to obey our supervisors and employers with sincerity. Before all else, we should give thanks to God and be thankful for the work He has given us. Our working life is part of our worship. To do our work as unto the Lord means that we do not serve Him only in the church, but also in the workplace.

This passage also speaks to those in authority: do not threaten those under your care. One who rules by threats acts like one who does not believe in Jesus.

Even if things feel unfair, and even if life is difficult because the wages are small, while we remain there we should still work faithfully.

Excerpt from the sermon by Pastor Lee, Apr 23, 2026
Ephesians 6:5-9