Ephesians 5: 21, 6:5-9

Let us learn to show the submissive relationship with each other out of reverence for Christ

We have more or less covered what it takes to be a Christian family at home from our previous three devotions. But Apostle Paul has one more matter to talk about- slaves and masters. As I don’t have a domestic helper at home, I almost forgot that some of our Christian households have them; and they are working faithfully for us in our homes.

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Eph 5:21)

Ephesians 5:21 “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
Ephesians 6:5-9 “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 as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. 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.”

This passage reminds the domestic helpers to be submissive to our earthly masters, showing respect and sincerity of heart, but with a twist. Their obedience and submission are not towards their masters but to Christ, doing the will of God from their hearts. In verse 6, Apostle Paul specifically reminded slaves to serve their masters wholeheartedly as if they were serving the Lord. This means not to simply submit to their masters blindly but to be able to discern what is right in the Lord’s sight. And this applies to our domestic helpers at home.
In verse 9, as masters, Apostle Paul says, “treat your slaves in the same way…” Treat our helpers in the same way as how they treat us as masters. Apostle Paul reminds us to treat them in the same way, with the same respect and sincerity of heart, like how we treat each and every imago dei.
Apostle Paul specifically reminded the masters not to be abusive towards their slaves or treating them less than imago dei. The general principle and specific example are both presented clearly in this letter.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, no matter who we are, masters or domestic helpers, let us learn to show the submissive relationship with each other out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21) and treat each other with respect and sincerity of heart. May the Lord bless our families.