“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ (this is the first commandment with a promise), ‘that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.’ Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.
Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.” – Ephesians 6:1–9 (ESV)
🏠 Gospel-Centered Families
Paul begins with one of the most practical applications of our faith: the family. Christianity is not just lived in the church—it’s lived in the home. And the first relationship he addresses is between children and parents.
👧 Children: Obey and Honor
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” Obedience is a foundational building block of spiritual maturity. Paul anchors this not just in morality, but in the gospel: “in the Lord.”
Then he quotes the fifth commandment: “Honor your father and mother…” Obedience is action. Honor is attitude. Together, they show respect to God’s authority structure and bring blessing to the child.
“That it may go well with you…” doesn’t mean every obedient child lives to 100. It’s a general principle: a culture of honor leads to peace, structure, and flourishing—both personally and socially.
👨 Fathers: Discipline with Grace
Now Paul turns to parents—specifically fathers, as the spiritual leaders of the home. “Do not provoke your children to anger…” means avoiding harshness, inconsistency, and favoritism. Nothing frustrates children more than unfair, unpredictable, or overly critical parenting.
Instead, “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” This is a call to intentional, spiritual parenting—teaching God’s Word, modeling Christ’s love, and guiding them with patience and purpose.
📜 Word Study: “Discipline” and “Instruction”
Discipline (Greek: paideia) means training that forms character. It includes correction, encouragement, and structure.
Instruction (Greek: nouthesia) refers to verbal guidance, warning, and biblical teaching. Paul is calling fathers to shape both the heart and mind of their children through the lens of Christ.
💼 Gospel-Centered Workplaces
Paul now turns to the workplace of his day—bondservants and masters. In the Roman world, slavery was common, but what Paul writes here plants the seeds of dignity, equality, and freedom through the gospel. While not endorsing slavery, Paul radically redefines these relationships under Christ’s lordship.
🙇 Servants: Work as Unto Christ
“Obey your earthly masters… as you would Christ.” Paul lifts menial labor to a spiritual level. Every task—no matter how simple—is a sacred offering when done with sincerity and honor.
He warns against “eye-service” and being “people-pleasers.” True integrity means doing the right thing even when no one is watching—because we know God always is.
“Doing the will of God from the heart…” means that even secular work becomes worship when it’s done for the Lord’s glory.
🎁 There Is Reward from the Lord
“Whatever good anyone does… he will receive back from the Lord.” Whether free or bound, known or overlooked—God sees, remembers, and rewards. Every moment of faithful labor is noted in heaven.
👑 Masters: Lead Without Threats
Paul doesn’t give masters power—he gives them responsibility. “Do the same to them…” means treat your workers with dignity, fairness, and spiritual awareness.
“Stop your threatening…” implies that in Christ’s kingdom, fear has no place in leadership. Christian employers should reflect Christ’s gentleness and justice.
⚖️ God Shows No Partiality
Paul closes with a powerful equalizer: “He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven.” Whether boss or laborer, all are under Christ. At the foot of the cross, titles disappear.
“There is no partiality with Him.” God does not judge by earthly position. He judges the heart, the conduct, and the sincerity of our work and leadership.
📣 What This Means for Us Today
1. God Cares Deeply About How We Live at Home
Faith that doesn’t transform the home is hollow. Obedience, respect, spiritual instruction, and gentle discipline are all signs of a gospel-centered household.
2. Your Workplace Is a Mission Field
You don’t need a pulpit to do ministry. How you work—and how you lead—can display Christ just as powerfully as any sermon. Work with excellence. Lead with grace. Serve with joy.
3. The Gospel Levels the Playing Field
In Christ, your value isn’t defined by your role, salary, or title. Whether you’re leading a boardroom or sweeping a floor, you are seen, known, and rewarded by your heavenly Master.
📣 Reflection and Application
- 👪 Children: Am I honoring my parents not just outwardly, but inwardly?
- 👨 Parents: Am I building my children up in the Lord—or provoking them in frustration?
- 💼 Workers: Is my daily effort marked by excellence, even when no one sees?
- 🧑💼 Employers: Do I lead like Christ—with justice, compassion, and integrity?
🛐 Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for transforming every part of my life—including my home and work. Help me to obey and honor those You’ve placed over me, and to lead with humility where I’m called to lead. Let my family be a place of love and grace, and my work a reflection of Your excellence and truth. In Your name I pray, amen.
📌 Coming Up Next
Ephesians 6:10–20 — How Do We Stand Strong in Spiritual Warfare?
Paul closes the letter with a rallying cry: put on the whole armor of God. In our next study, we’ll examine each piece of this armor and learn how to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
