Bosses and Employees
6: 5-9
Bosses and employees DIG: Does the Bible condone slavery? In what ways do Rabbi Sha’ul’s instructions to slaves (to work with integrity whether the master is watching or not) apply to employees today? Paul reminds masters that they are their slaves and are both serving the same Master (God). In what ways does this truth apply to bosses or managers?
REFLECT: In what way is ADONAI honored by your diligent work in your job? How do you think God will reward those who do good work? What is the proper way to handle a problem you might have with a person in authority – whether a parent, employee, or anyone else? Do co-workers appreciate your work? More vitally, is Yeshua happy with it?
Servant leadership is the best leadership and the easiest to follow.
Sha’ul’s use of the word slave should not be confined with the oppressive version of slavery that plagued some societies (like in America). In Judaism, slavery was an acceptable form of servitude, used by a person to voluntarily pay off some debt. Instead of contemporary bankruptcy laws, a Jewish slave could choose a master that suited him as he sought to improve his life situation. Jewish slaves were even guaranteed many rights from their Jewish master (see the commentary on Deuteronomy, to see link click Cz – The Hebrew Slave). Among these rights would be just treatment and even a limited time of servitude of seven years, until he was set free at the Sabbatical Year (see the commentary on Leviticus El – The Sabbath Year).
To illustrate the positive nature of slaves within Isra’el, the Torah even states that sometimes a slave would not want to leave his benevolent master! To prove his allegiance, the slave in such cases was commanded to have his ear pierced on the door of the house (see the commentary on Exodus Dz – If You Buy a Hebrew Servant). Roman slavery of the first century was significantly different but also included some protective rights. A modern reader of Ephesians would better understand this passage, if the terms slaves and masters were replaced by employees and bosses.
The right submission of employees (6:5-8): With this context in mind, the apostle gives the following recommendations: Slaves (Employees), obey your human masters (bosses) with the same fear, trembling and single-heartedness with which you obey the Messiah (6:5). The idea is to do the work we are assigned to do, without complaining, bragging, criticizing the work of others, or being disruptive in any way. Such obedience does not imply inferiority, but is in keeping with the idea of biblical submission, that is, fitting into God’s order (see Bu – The Necessary Foundation). Bosses and workers may stand as equals before ADONAI, but it would wreak havoc in the workplace if there were no order. In fact, the writer points out that the employees are to obey with the same kind of respect they have toward Messiah. Believers should be known as some of the best workers, which may open up some good discussions about perspectives on life.244
Rabbi Sha’ul reminds the Ephesian believers that their work ethic has a direct impact on their future blessing in the Kingdom of God. Slaves had a responsibility to work hard. Like the Ephesians, we are to work diligently with no ulterior motive. We should be excellent employees because it is the right thing to do in the sight of our true Boss. Consequently, our good work ethic is not just on display when people are watching us. Don’t obey just to win their favor, serving only when they are watching you (or eyeservice); but serve as slaves of the Messiah, doing what God wants with all your heart (Ephesians 6:6).245
Paul exposed the kind of service that appears to be spiritual but is really just a put-on, a show, an act to get approval. He called it eyeservice – serving others just to impress people with how spiritual they are. This was the main sin of the Pharisees. They turned helping others, giving, and even prayer into a performance for others. Yeshua hated their attitude and warned: Be careful not to parade your acts of tzedakah in front of people in order to be seen by them! If you do, you have no reward from your Father in heaven (Mt 6:1).246
The true believer understands that he or she is really serving Yeshua. Like Paul told the believers in Colossae: Whatever work you do, put yourself into it, as those who are serving not merely other people, but the Lord (Colossians 3:23). And again his consistent message to the believers in Ephesus was to work willingly as slaves (employees), as people do who are serving not merely human beings but the Lord (6:7). This repeats and reinforces what Paul had just said. Thus, the labor is sincere from the heart. One definition of integrity is “being righteous when no one is watching.” But the reality is that our King Messiah is always watching so we should have the highest motivation for the best work ethic.
Remember that whoever does good work, whether he be a slave or a free man, will be rewarded by the Lord (6:8). ADONAI credits and rewards are always dependable and always appropriate. A boss may not appreciate or even be aware of the good work done, perhaps because he is indifferent or because someone else takes the credit for what is done. But God knows and God rewards. No good thing done in His Name and for His glory can pass His notice or fail to receive His blessing.247
The submission of employers (6:9): The overall context of the entire passage applies here as well. Masters (bosses) might be tempted to abuse their employees, as was often the case in Roman society. But such is not the case in the community of Messiah. Bosses are warned not to threaten their employees, as is so common in the world. And bosses, treat your employees the same way. Don’t threaten them (6:9a). Servant leadership is the best leadership and the easiest to follow. The book of Nehemiah is one of the great teaching and example of leadership, both in a positive sense (see the commentary on Ezra-Nehemiah Bt – The Third Return: Nehemiah – A Manual for Leaders), and a negative sense (see Ezra-Nehemiah Ch – The Completion of the Walls Despite Opposition: Ten fatal flaws that derail leaders). Bosses should keep a balanced approach as they remember that they actually work for the same boss as their employees. Remember that in heaven both you and they have the same Master, and he has no favorites (6:9b). Such a work environment will actually decrease stress and help build a positive atmosphere that will often help the business prosper especially under God’s loving conditions.248
The impartiality of ADONAI is the closing truth in Paul’s discussion on submitting to one another. Spirit-filled believers – whether husbands or wives, parents or children, bosses or employees – are to be mutually submissive because they are equally loved, equally cared for, and equally subservient to a common Master, their Savior and Lord, Yeshua Messiah.
Dear Heavenly Father, Praise You that You are such a wonderful Father! It is so much easier for Your children to honor their hard boss when they realize that all that they do is seen by You and You will reward them according by their heart attitude in all they do. Whatever you do, work at it from the soul, as for the Lord and not for people. For you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as a reward. It is to the Lord Messiah you are giving service. For the one doing wrong will be paid back for what he did wrong, and there is no favoritism (Colossians 3:23-25). Though there are always trials and problems and life may seem unfair, when Your children lift their eyes to behold your steadfast love (Psalms 63:3), then life and work seem so much easier. For I consider the sufferings of this present time not worthy to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed to us (Romans 8:18).
How wonderful that You bless Your children, those who love and worship You (John 1:12) as their Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9-10), with the promise of eternal rewards when they serve You with loving hearts. For no one can lay any other foundation than what is already laid – which is Yeshua the Messiah. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear. For the Day will show it, because it is to be revealed by fire; and the fire itself will test each one’s work – what sort it is. If anyone’s work built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward (First Corinthians 3:11-14).
Wow! an eternal reward is worth living for! Please help bosses and employees to view each other through Your eyes, to act kindly toward each other for Your sake and to pray for each other so that by their loving example, their boss/employees may come to love You as their Lord and Savior. Then they will be brothers in Messiah and someday both boss and employees would be able to joyfully greet each other in heaven, as part of the family of God (John 1:12). In the holy Name of Messiah and by the power of His resurrection. Amen
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