Ephesians 6:9
What does Ephesians 6:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Ephesians 6:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ephesians 6:9 means
Paul commands masters to “do the same things” to their servants—meaning they must treat them with the same sincerity, fairness, and Godward accountability—and to stop threatening. The reason is theological: both masters and servants have one Master in heaven, and he shows no favoritism. This levels status before God and undermines cruelty. Authority remains, but it is now stewarded under Christ’s eye, requiring justice, kindness, and restraint. Paul’s words sow seeds that, over time, challenge abusive social norms. He reframes leadership as service and accountability to the Lord. Human hierarchy is relativized by divine lordship; every Christian, high or low, stands under the same righteous Judge.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, and forbear threatening: knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no respect of persons with him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, and forbear threatening: knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no respect of persons with him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And, you masters, do the same things to them, not making use of violent words: in the knowledge that their Master and yours is in heaven, and he has no respect for a man's position.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the masters! the same things do ye unto them, letting threatening alone, having known that also your Master is in the heavens, and acceptance of persons is not with him.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And you, masters, do the same things to them, forbearing threatenings: knowing that the Lord both of them and you is in heaven. And there is no respect of persons with him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And, masters, do the same things towards them, giving up threatening, knowing that both their and your Master is in heaven, and there is no acceptance of persons with him.
Context
Verse 9 completes the household instructions by addressing masters, mirroring the responsibilities placed on servants (vv. 5–8) and tempering authority with the fear of God. With the household code finished, Paul pivots in verse 10 to a climactic exhortation: the church’s true struggle is spiritual. This transition broadens the scope from domestic duties to the cosmic conflict believers face, and it prepares for the detailed call to take up the whole armor of God.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 7:12
All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets.
- Deuteronomy 15:11
For the poor will never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt surely open thy hand unto thy brother, to thy needy, and to thy poor, in thy land.
- Acts 10:34
And Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
- Ecclesiastes 5:8
If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in a province, marvel not at the matter: for one higher than the high regardeth; and there are higher than they.
- Deuteronomy 24:14
Thou shalt not oppress a hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy sojourners that are in thy land within thy gates:
- Malachi 3:5
And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against the false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the sojourner from his right, and fear not me, saith Jehovah of hosts.
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