Beetow
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- Dec 14, 2024
- 1,039
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- #221
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195) Eph 6:5-6 . . Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and
with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win
their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God
from your heart.
The Greek word translated "slaves" is ambiguous; it can mean slaves by either
voluntary or involuntary means.
The first would be something like an indentured slave; which Webster's defines as a
contract binding one person to work for another for a given period of time. Jacob is
a good biblical example of indentured slavery. He sold fourteen years of his life to
uncle Laban in exchange for Rachel's hand in marriage. (Gen 29:18, Gen 29:27)
The practical application applies to giving one's employer an honest day's work for
an honest day's pay. But pay is not really the primary issue. Subordination is the
primary issue, and has been in this epistle since 5:21. Christ's followers may not
like the idea, but they are not independent agents with Christ; no, he owns them:
bought and paid for as flesh on the line.
● 1Cor 6:19-20 . .You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore
honor God with your body.
So then, folks unified with Christ really ought to serve workplace employers with a
conscientious regard for their status; which is really difficult for American believers
because their country has such an abhorrence for slavery and such a high regard
for freedom, revolution, and independence; and when they're mistreated and/or
treated unfairly, they react; which is not always a good thing for Christians to do.
(1Pet 2:18-19)
_
195) Eph 6:5-6 . . Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and
with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win
their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God
from your heart.
The Greek word translated "slaves" is ambiguous; it can mean slaves by either
voluntary or involuntary means.
The first would be something like an indentured slave; which Webster's defines as a
contract binding one person to work for another for a given period of time. Jacob is
a good biblical example of indentured slavery. He sold fourteen years of his life to
uncle Laban in exchange for Rachel's hand in marriage. (Gen 29:18, Gen 29:27)
The practical application applies to giving one's employer an honest day's work for
an honest day's pay. But pay is not really the primary issue. Subordination is the
primary issue, and has been in this epistle since 5:21. Christ's followers may not
like the idea, but they are not independent agents with Christ; no, he owns them:
bought and paid for as flesh on the line.
● 1Cor 6:19-20 . .You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore
honor God with your body.
So then, folks unified with Christ really ought to serve workplace employers with a
conscientious regard for their status; which is really difficult for American believers
because their country has such an abhorrence for slavery and such a high regard
for freedom, revolution, and independence; and when they're mistreated and/or
treated unfairly, they react; which is not always a good thing for Christians to do.
(1Pet 2:18-19)
_
