Ephesians 6 9

Ephesians 6:9 kjv

And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

Ephesians 6:9 nkjv

And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

Ephesians 6:9 niv

And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

Ephesians 6:9 esv

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 6:9 nlt

Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don't threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.

Ephesians 6 verses

Ephesians 6 9 meaning

Ephesians 6:9 commands Christian masters to treat their bondservants with the same regard and respect that they expect from them, abandoning threats and harshness. It underscores that both master and slave have a common ultimate Master in heaven, God, who judges without partiality or favoritism based on social status, holding everyone equally accountable for their actions. This radically transforms the prevailing power dynamics by placing earthly masters under divine authority, compelling them to righteous conduct rooted in their shared humanity and spiritual equality before God.

Ephesians 6 9 Context

Ephesians 6:9 concludes a larger "household code" section (Ephesians 5:22-6:9) within the epistle, which outlines ethical instructions for various relational dynamics within a Christian household: wives and husbands, children and parents, and finally, bondservants and masters. These instructions follow Paul's broader exhortation to live "as children of light" (5:8) and to "walk in love" (5:2). Verse 9 directly mirrors and balances the instructions given to bondservants in 6:5-8, which call for willing, sincere service as if serving Christ. Historically, within the Roman Empire, masters held absolute legal power over their slaves, often including rights over their lives. This command to Christian masters, therefore, represented a radical subversion of the existing societal norms by introducing a principle of spiritual equality and mutual accountability under a divine, impartial authority, laying groundwork for future social change regarding servitude.

Ephesians 6 9 Word analysis

• And you masters (Καὶ οἱ κύριοι, Kai hoi kyrioi): "Kyrioi" refers to those in authority or possession, here specifically slave owners. The "and you" (Kai hoi) strongly links this instruction to the preceding commands given to slaves (6:5-8), indicating a reciprocal obligation within the Christian faith, where roles carry divine responsibilities, not just rights.
• do the same things to them (τὰ αὐτὰ ποιεῖτε πρὸς αὐτούς, ta auta poieite pros autous): "Ta auta" means "the same things." This does not mean masters should obey their slaves, but rather apply the same principles of conscientious duty, sincerity, and love shown towards Christ, towards their slaves. It implies acting with good will, honesty, respect, and fairness, mirroring the quality of service expected from their slaves, thus transforming the master's disposition and actions. Poieite (present imperative) indicates a continuous, ongoing practice.
• giving up threatening (ἀφιέμενοι τὴν ἀπειλήν, aphiemenoi tēn apeilēn): Aphiemenoitēnaperas means "relinquishing the threat." Threatening refers to the exercise of physical violence, harsh words, intimidation, or any abuse of power derived from the master's position. This specific instruction directly counters the prevailing Roman practice of harsh discipline and coercion, urging Christian masters to abandon methods based on fear and arbitrary authority.
• knowing that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven (εἰδότες ὅτι καὶ αὐτῶν καὶ ὑμῶν ὁ Κύριός ἐστιν ἐν οὐρανοῖς, eidotes hoti kai autōn kai hymōn ho Kyrios estin en ouranois): "Eidotes" (knowing) indicates a crucial theological basis for their conduct. The phrase kai autōn kai hymōn ho Kyrios ("both their Lord and yours") unequivocally establishes God as the ultimate and common Master of both master and slave. "En ouranois" (in heaven) signifies God's transcendence, supreme authority, and impartial divine justice, applicable to all humanity regardless of earthly status. This transforms earthly power into a delegated trust under divine oversight.
• and there is no partiality with Him (καὶ προσωπολημψία οὐκ ἔστιν παρ’ αὐτῷ, kai prosopolempsia ouk estin par’ autō): Prosopolemsia means "respect of persons" or "partiality/favoritism." This profound statement reiterates a fundamental Old and New Testament truth about God's character. It signifies that God judges individuals not by their social standing, wealth, ethnicity, or freedom status, but by their actions and obedience to His will. For masters, this means their elevated social position will not grant them favor in divine judgment, compelling them to righteous and just conduct towards their bondservants.

Ephesians 6 9 Bonus section

The phrase "do the same things to them" carries a potent reversal. Whereas the slave is to act out of reverence for Christ, the master is called to act as Christ would towards His own servants. This elevates the relationship from a societal construct to a sacred duty performed unto God. This passage is one of several "household codes" in the New Testament (Col 3:18-4:1, 1 Pet 2:13-3:7), each systematically reorienting familial and social relationships within the early Christian community based on Christ's teachings and the ethics of God's Kingdom. The emphasis on God's impartiality (prosopolempsia ou k estin) resonates throughout the entirety of Scripture, from the Old Testament Law protecting vulnerable members of society (such as sojourners and the poor) to Jesus's teachings and the apostolic declarations against favoritism (Jas 2:1-9). This verse also implies that Christian masters should foster an environment where their bondservants feel safe, respected, and can perform their duties without undue fear, thus reflecting the freedom and peace found in Christ, even within the confines of societal structures.

Ephesians 6 9 Commentary

Ephesians 6:9 provides a powerful and radical counter-cultural mandate for Christian masters. It fundamentally challenges the established hierarchy of the Roman world by demanding reciprocity and fairness. While it doesn't directly call for the abolition of slavery (a social institution deeply embedded at the time), it lays the moral and theological groundwork for its eventual collapse by undermining its underlying premises. By insisting that masters act with the "same things" (meaning the same positive moral quality of character) towards their slaves and relinquish threats, Paul replaces an ethos of power and coercion with one of love and justice. The ultimate justification is God's universal sovereignty and impartiality; both masters and slaves are merely bondservants of a greater Master in heaven, to whom all are equally accountable. This recognition nullifies any claim of inherent superiority or absolute right based on earthly status, emphasizing a spiritual equality in Christ. The master's conduct must reflect divine righteousness, knowing that their own status before God is no different than their slaves' and they will face the same impartial judgment. This implies a revolutionary transformation of character for those in power, cultivating empathy, humility, and justice.

Example for practical usage:A Christian business owner (modern master) is expected to treat their employees fairly, pay just wages, avoid manipulative tactics or threats (e.g., job loss for trivial reasons), and acknowledge their employees' dignity. They should serve with integrity, recognizing that both they and their employees answer to a higher authority—God, who judges all with impartiality.