Ephesians 6:6 kjv
Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
Ephesians 6:6 nkjv
not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
Ephesians 6:6 niv
Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
Ephesians 6:6 esv
not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
Ephesians 6:6 nlt
Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart.
Ephesians 6 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eph 6:5 | Servants, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, with sincerity of heart, just as you obey Christ. | Context of the verse |
| Col 3:22 | Slaves, obey the earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their watchful eye is on you to please men, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. | Parallel teaching in Colossians |
| Col 3:23 | Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, | Emphasis on inner motive |
| Gal 1:10 | Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be Christ’s servant. | Paul's own example |
| 1 Thess 2:4 | Instead, we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. So we speak, not to please men but to please God, who tests our hearts. | Testing of the heart |
| Phil 2:14-15 | Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you too are to shine as lights in the world, | Guiding principle for conduct |
| 1 Peter 2:18 | Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. | Application to slaves |
| Heb 12:28-29 | Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” | Reverence for God |
| Prov 16:6 | Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord one avoids evil. | Fear of the Lord |
| Prov 23:7 | For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. | Inner disposition |
| Matt 6:24 | “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." | Loyalty and devotion |
| 2 Cor 5:10 | For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive what is due to him for the things done in his body, whether good or bad. | Accountability to Christ |
| Rom 12:11 | Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord with all your heart. | Earnestness in service |
| Eph 6:7 | Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, | Reinforcement of the idea |
| Luke 12:48 | But the servant who knows his master’s will and does not get ready or do what his master asks will be beaten with many blows. | Understanding God's will |
| Col 3:17 | And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. | Doing all in Jesus' name |
| 1 Peter 4:10-11 | Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. | Stewardship and service |
| Jer 3:10 | "Even then, her treacherous sister Judah did not return to me with all her heart, but only in pretense,” declares the LORD. | Hypocrisy contrasted |
| Zeph 3:12 | But I will leave within you a humble and afflicted people who put their trust in the name of the LORD. | Humility and trust |
| Prov 14:35 | A king’s favor is extended to a wise servant, but his wrath falls on one who does shameful things. | Consequences of actions |
| Acts 20:19 | I served the Lord with humility and with tears, amid trials and temptations that confronted me through the plotting of the Jews. | Example of sincere service |
Ephesians 6 verses
Ephesians 6 6 Meaning
Serving sincerely, not with outward show or flattery, but with pure hearts. This emphasizes genuine devotion to God, not merely pleasing people.
Ephesians 6 6 Context
This verse is part of Paul's letter to the Ephesians, specifically in the section addressing household relationships (Ephesians 5:22–6:9). Within this section, Paul outlines duties for wives, husbands, children, and parents, and then turns his attention to slaves and their masters. Ephesians 6:5 instructs slaves (or servants) to obey their earthly masters with respect and fear, with sincerity of heart, as they would obey Christ. Verse 6 builds directly upon this by specifying the manner of their obedience: not with eye-service, to please men, but with sincere hearts, doing the will of God. The historical context involves a society where slavery was a widespread reality. Paul is not endorsing slavery but is giving practical guidance to Christian slaves on how to live out their faith within the existing social structures, aiming to transform individuals from within. The expectation is that a life lived according to Christ’s teachings would bring about broader societal change over time.
Ephesians 6 6 Word Analysis
Ως (hōs): As, like, in the manner of. This word introduces a comparison, highlighting the standard of obedience.
δουλοι (douloi): Slaves, bondservants. In the context of the ancient world, this denoted individuals in a state of servitude, often involuntary. Here, it's used metaphorically and literally.
στον (son): To you, for you.
εξ αρεσκων (ex areskōn): From those pleasing, to please. Derived from the verb "areskō" (to please, to be well-pleasing). It signifies avoiding actions done solely to gain favor with people.
οφθαλμοδουλων (ophthalmodoulōn): Eye-service, doing work only when being watched. A compound word from "ophthalmos" (eye) and "doulos" (slave/servant). This term captures the idea of superficial work done for show. It emphasizes the difference between outward appearance and genuine inner disposition.
αλλα (alla): But. A strong adversative conjunction, contrasting the previous manner of service with the following one.
ως (hōs): As.
χριστου (christou): Of Christ.
εν (en): In, by, with.
καρδια (kardia): Heart. The seat of emotions, will, and understanding. Here it refers to the inner self, the true intention.
θελημα (thelēma): Will, desire, purpose.
Word-group Analysis:
- "μη ως οφθαλμοδουλων, εξ αρεσκων" (mē hōs ophthalmodoulōn, ex areskōn): This phrase directly addresses and prohibits superficial, people-pleasing behavior. It’s about not serving only when seen, and not acting simply to win human approval. This highlights the danger of outward show versus inward sincerity in one's service.
Ephesians 6 6 Bonus Section
The concept of "doing all as working for the Lord" (Colossians 3:23) is a foundational principle here. This means that any task, no matter how menial or unrecognized, becomes an act of worship when performed with the right motive and attitude, acknowledging God's ultimate authority and ownership. This transforms labor from a mere obligation to a spiritual discipline, linking our earthly actions to heavenly purposes. The distinction is between doing something for men and doing something as for the Lord, even when serving men. The sincerity and singleness of heart expressed here are counter to the self-serving or reputation-driven actions often seen in worldly systems.
Ephesians 6 6 Commentary
Believers, regardless of their social standing, are called to a service that originates from a genuine heart, mirroring their obedience to Christ. This means performing duties not for the sake of appearing diligent to others or earning their praise, but with a deep, heartfelt commitment to fulfilling God's will. Such service is characterized by sincerity and integrity, reflecting an internal orientation towards God that transcends human observation or opinion. This principle applies universally to all vocations and responsibilities, demanding an uncompromised dedication rooted in reverence for the Lord.