22Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. 25For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.
1Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.
Interesting Words
external service
(ὀφθαλμοδουλία – Greek) – ophthalmodoulia ► noun: from ophthalmo (eye) and douleia (female slave), sight-labor, i.e. workers that need watching (remissness), negligent, careless, or slow in performing one’s duty – Eph 6:6;
merely please men
(ἀνθρωπάρεσκος – Greek) – anthrópareskos ► adjective: from anthrópos (man) and areskó (excite pleasure), man-courting, i.e. fawning, men-pleaser – Eph 6:6;
sincerity
(ἁπλότης – Greek) – haplotés ► noun: from haplous (clear), singleness, sincerity, not self-seeking, generosity – Rom 12:8, 2Cor 1:12, 8:2, 9:11; 11:3; Eph 6:5;
heartily
(ψυχή – Greek) – psuché ► noun, feminine: soul, inner being, life, breath, heart’s desire, drive passion, a person’s distinct identity, individual personality – Matt 6:25; Mark 8:35-37; Luke 10:27; John 10:11; 1Thes 5:23; Heb 4:12, 6:19; James 1:21; 3John 1:2;
inheritance
(κληρονομία – Greek) – kléronomia ► noun: from an heir, apportioned inheritance by the casting of lots, awarded by divine lot – Gal 3:18; Eph 1:13-14, 18; 1Peter 1:4;
justice
(δίκαιος – Greek) – dikaios ► adjective: equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively), just, meet, righteous, conformity to God’s standard – John 7:24; Rom 3:10, 26; Phil 4:8; 1John 1:9;
Cross References
▪︎ Ps 51:17;
▪︎ Isa 57:15,
▪︎ Isa 66:2
▪︎ Eph 1:11;
1. How would you describe godly service?
▪︎ Work done by godly people who have a contrite spirit and humble heart.
▪︎ People who do it honestly, not trying to influence others, or make financial gain.
▪︎ They work with sincerity in their hearts, trying to please God.
▪︎ They work hard, trying to please both their masters and God.
▪︎ Godly service is a distillation of the character and qualities of the servant themselves fueled by the Holy Spirit during trials.
▪︎
2. What are some other descriptors that can be used to describe people like this?
▪︎ Contrite of spirit
▪︎ Humble of heart – Dan 2:30;
▪︎ Generous, thoughtful, helpful
▪︎ Active, energetic, committed
▪︎ Set apart by God for Himself – 2Cor 5:18-19;
▪︎ Speaks with clarity, no deception.
▪︎ As a faithful steward of God’s grace.
3. What has God planned for those who obey?
▪︎ Unimaginable promises – 1Cor 2:9, 10; Eph 3:20, 1Peter 1:4;
▪︎ An inheritance from God, signed sealed, delivered – Eph 1:13-14, 18-19;
▪︎ Imperishable – 1Cor 15:50;
▪︎ Complete victory over Satan – Rom 16:20;
▪︎ Made a child of God – 1John 3:1, 2-3; Gal 4:1, 2-3, 4-5, 6-7;
4. What are the various courses of action that God can use to deal with human beings, His creation?
▪︎ Wrath, annihilation of sinners – Rom 1:18, 6:23;
▪︎ Patiently warns his people – 1Peter 3:8-9;
▪︎ Justice, grace, mercy through Jesus Christ – Rom 3:25, 26;
▪︎ Fair and impartial treatment – Col 3:25; Gal 3:28;
▪︎ God places into imperfect relationships to make us grow.
▪︎ We reap what we sow – Gal 6:7-10;
5. Why are justice and righteousness so important in the relationships you have with others?
▪︎ They allow us to deal with others in truth, unclouded by sin and deception
▪︎ Ethics, clarity and honesty are all good options.
▪︎ They are a guard against hypocrisy.
▪︎ Where ever you are in the set of relationships, we need to fit into that relationship with wisdom (reciprocal, up and down) – Heb 13:17; 1Thes 2:4;