Daily Devotions
Ephesians
"Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ."
Text: Ephesians 6:5
SIMPLE ACCEPTANCE OF THE SOCIAL SYSTEM
How did Paul understand and react to the existing social system? To put it simply, he accepted the social system as it stood.
1. He did not work towards abolishing of this system.
2. He did not raise protest marches.
WHAT “SIMPLE ACCEPTANCE” DOES NOT MEAN
What are the implications, when we speak of Paul accepting the existing social system? Paul did not feel that God had called him to revolutionize the social order of the day. (He was certainly no Spartacus).
1. It does not mean he condoned slavery.
2. It does not mean he advocated this system.
3. He did not feel called to revolutionize the social order of the day.
WORKING WITHIN THE SYSTEM
What Paul did was to work within the system. He urged all those who were slaves not to mind their status at all. Instead, they were to work, as if they were serving the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. And how would they have served then?
1. Practise “obedience” (“hupakouete”)
This was the first challenge that Paul emphasized. He brought the idea of
“obedience” to another sphere. Children were to obey their parents, in the Lord. Slaves were to be obedient to their masters.
2. “With fear and trembling” (“phobou” and “tromou”)
These words complement each other. These words portray the idea of “deep respect” for their “masters”. This attitude was considered most proper or appropriate.
3. “In sincerity of heart” (“en aploteti tes kardias”)
What this phrase emphasizes is that the above “obedience”, “fear” and “trembling” should not be faked. The respect and honour due to masters “according to the flesh” must be given out of the genuineness of the heart. (The word “sincerity” {“aploteti} speaks of “frankness.”)
4. “In the Lord”
This is the ultimate phrase! Slaves are to be most conscious of the Lord in their life. If this is done, then they can endure serving even under tough masters.