Ephesians 6:5
What does Ephesians 6:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Ephesians 6:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ephesians 6:5 means
Paul addresses servants—bondservants within the Greco-Roman household—calling them to obey their earthly masters with seriousness and sincerity, as if serving Christ. He does not endorse injustice, but he speaks into real conditions, showing how union with Christ transforms even constrained circumstances. “Fear and trembling” reflects reverent conscientiousness, not cringing terror. “Singleness of heart” resists duplicity. The key is orientation: believers serve under Christ’s eye. This dignifies their labor, however menial, and guards against bitterness. By tying work to the Lord, Paul invites a new internal freedom: even when status is low, service rendered unto Christ is noble in God’s sight and spiritually fruitful.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Servants, be obedient unto them that according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Servants, be obedient unto them that according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Servants, do what is ordered by those who are your natural masters, having respect and fear for them, with all your heart, as to Christ;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The servants! obey the masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling, in the simplicity of your heart, as to the Christ;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Servants, be obedient to them that are your lords according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the simplicity of your heart, as to Christ.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Bondmen, obey masters according to flesh, with fear and trembling, in simplicity of your heart as to the Christ;
Context
Having finished instructions for children and fathers, Paul extends the household code to servants and masters. Verse 5 begins with servants’ duties, emphasizing inner posture and Christ-centered motivation. Verses 6–8 will deepen this by rejecting eye-service and promising the Lord’s reward. Then verse 9 will address masters with an equalizing word: both servant and master share the same Master in heaven. This section demonstrates how the gospel reorients relationships without immediately overturning social structures.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Peter 2:18
Servants, bein subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
- 2 Corinthians 7:15
And his affection is more abundantly toward you, while he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.
- Acts 10:7
And when the angel that spake unto him was departed, he called two of his household-servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;
- 1 Peter 3:2
beholding your chaste behaviorcoupledwith fear.
- 1 Chronicles 29:17
I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, that are present here, offer willingly unto thee.
- Acts 2:46
And day by day, continuing stedfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,
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