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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Ephesians 6:9 - 6:9
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Eph_6:9
9And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
Eph_6:9 "masters" This is still the same literary context as Eph_5:22 to Eph_6:9, which is Paul's domestic example of the "Spirit-filled" life in action. In this verse the masters referred to are obviously believers, while in Eph_6:5 they might be either believers or nonbelievers.
▣ "do the same things to them" This is a present active imperative. Here again is the needed balance to slave owners, as Eph_5:29 is to husbands and Eph_6:4 is to parents. Each must act out of godly (Spirit-filled) principles, not social privilege. Jesus' golden rule (Mat_7:12) applies here.
▣ "give up threatening" This is a present active participle used as an imperative. The word literally means "to loosen up."
▣ "there is no partiality with Him" The term "partiality" is a compound from "face" and "to lift." It denotes an OT judge acting fairly without lifting the face of the accused to see if he recognized him/her. God is no respecter of persons (cf. Deu_10:17; Act_10:34; Rom_2:11; Gal_2:6; Col_3:25; 1Pe_1:17). All earthly distinctions fade away in Christ (cf. Rom_3:22; Gal_3:26; Gal_3:28; Col_3:11). See Special Topic: Racism at Col_3:11.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. Why was this passage so startling for Paul's day?
2. Does it stress rights or duties?
3. What is this passage saying about women? Should this passage be used as a guideline for our day?
4. How is Eph_6:21 related to Eph_5:22 to Eph_6:9?
5. Should children always obey parents? Define "children."
6. Can the slave/master relationship be analogous to employee/employer?
7. How are wives and children related to slaves?
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHT TO Eph_6:10-24
A. The Christian life is a spiritual struggle. Problems, suffering, and persecution are not abnormal, but normal, for Christians in a fallen world (cf. Rom_5:3-4; Rom_8:17-18; 1Pe_1:6-9; 1Pe_2:11; 1Pe_4:12-17; 1Pe_5:10).
B. The spiritual battle may be related contextually to the present passive imperative, "be filled with the Spirit," of Eph_5:18 and the present passive (or middle, see note at Eph_5:22) imperative "be made strong in the Lord," Eph_6:10. As the filling is related to daily Christlikeness (Col_3:16) so too, is the spiritual battle. People are priority with God. The battleground is interpersonal relationships on a daily basis. Only people are eternal. Although these passives speak of God's power, the Christian must allow the Spirit to work in their lives. Covenant involves two parties, two choices.
C. We must be careful of two extremes: (1) Satan causes everything and (2) there is no personal evil. I assume because of OT monotheism that Satan is a created being and a controlled being (cf. 1Ki_22:19-23; Job 1-2; Zec_3:1-5). He is neither omnipresent, nor omniscient. Satan has been mentioned earlier in the letter in Eph_2:2; Eph_4:14; Eph_4:27! He is only one of three enemies that Christians face daily-the world, Satan (and his), and the flesh (cf. Eph_2:2-3; James 4).
D. God provides our spiritual armor and weapons, but believers must (1) recognize the daily spiritual battle and (2) avail themselves, by faith, of God's resources and then (3) stand (cf. Eph_6:11; Eph_6:13-14). Spiritual maturity is not automatic, nor is it based on longevity, IQ (i.e., intelligence), or giftedness..
E. Eph_6:21-22 are almost identical to Col_4:7-8. This is additional evidence of the close relationship between these two books. However, it is interesting that the entire discussion of spiritual warfare is omitted in Colossians. Each book has its own uniqueness.