Ephesians 6:5-8 I have a problem with this passage

[Energist]

How can this passage be interpreted as anything other than what is stated?? I mean what in the world? This is one of the reasons that I have trouble with Christianity and believing that this religion (atleast the New Testament portion of it) came from anyone other than the White man to brainwash the masses Help me see this differently if you can!

 

[HeChangedMyName]

5Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, 8because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
9And 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.


First let me start by saying that it is what it is. This is speaking about slaves and their servants. However, the slavery that this refers to is not the same as the slavery that resulted from the horrible middle passage voyage that so many of our ancestors were brought to the Americas on. Slavery back then, was used sort of as a political thing. For example, if a man from my clan killed a boy from your clan by accident, or even on purpose in some cases, my clan may have to give a boy to your clan as a slave to replace the one we killed. this was to keep the balance. I included verse 9 because that is the one that American slavery seemed to overlook. The Bible states that the slavemaster should also treat the slave a certain way. I believe in the Bible, and althought physical man wrote the words, I wholly believe that it was totally inspired by the word of God given to those men. I try to find ways to apply the scripture to my circumstances. In that scripture is says that we should exist in whatever circumstances we are in, whether free or slave, with the knowledge that God is our ultimate master. For me, that means to work my job to the best of my abilities regardless of how people at work treat me, do my best in school regardless of bias professors who may mistreat me, volunteer to the best of my capability regardless of the fact that my work may be unappreciated. Doing all of these things with my eyes on God, will show him my faithfulness to him and show him that regardless of the physical circumstance, that I understand that he has more for my soul than what my physical body can even comprehend.

 

[momi]

5Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, 8because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
9And 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.


First let me start by saying that it is what it is. This is speaking about slaves and their servants. However, the slavery that this refers to is not the same as the slavery that resulted from the horrible middle passage voyage that so many of our ancestors were brought to the Americas on. Slavery back then, was used sort of as a political thing. For example, if a man from my clan killed a boy from your clan by accident, or even on purpose in some cases, my clan may have to give a boy to your clan as a slave to replace the one we killed. this was to keep the balance. I included verse 9 because that is the one that American slavery seemed to overlook. The Bible states that the slavemaster should also treat the slave a certain way. I believe in the Bible, and althought physical man wrote the words, I wholly believe that it was totally inspired by the word of God given to those men. I try to find ways to apply the scripture to my circumstances. In that scripture is says that we should exist in whatever circumstances we are in, whether free or slave, with the knowledge that God is our ultimate master. For me, that means to work my job to the best of my abilities regardless of how people at work treat me, do my best in school regardless of bias professors who may mistreat me, volunteer to the best of my capability regardless of the fact that my work may be unappreciated. Doing all of these things with my eyes on God, will show him my faithfulness to him and show him that regardless of the physical circumstance, that I understand that he has more for my soul than what my physical body can even comprehend.

well stated.

 

[Energist]

I try to find ways to apply the scripture to my circumstances. In that scripture is says that we should exist in whatever circumstances we are in, whether free or slave, with the knowledge that God is our ultimate master. For me, that means to work my job to the best of my abilities regardless of how people at work treat me, do my best in school regardless of bias professors who may mistreat me, volunteer to the best of my capability regardless of the fact that my work may be unappreciated. Doing all of these things with my eyes on God, will show him my faithfulness to him and show him that regardless of the physical circumstance, that I understand that he has more for my soul than what my physical body can even comprehend.

I appreciated this part of your post a great deal! Thanks for your response

 

[Mamita]

bravo great response, i'd like to add as well if take a step back and look at a bigger picture, yes it can totally nowadays be used in the workplace...

Keep in mind we as followers of Christ must serve as exemples... be humble in all things not elevated... now can u imagine that a troublemaker, someone who defies authority and wreaks havoc and mayhem is a true follower of Christ?

When u know that what awaits u after death if u have lived right is better than this earth, u won't take mistreatment the same way, if u keep ur eyes on the Lord he shall always keep u.

u must remember to be an exemple and a rebellious slave or kid or whatever, if he has problems with authority down here u know he has problems with humility.

(Do not mistake that for let people walk all over u, but in my mind a christian that cannot take anymore of a certain situation nowadays has the possibility to leave decently and with class without defying authority)

 

[He_Leads_I_follow]

All scripture is written FOR us (beleivers) but not all is written TO us (beleivers).

All scripture bears historical record and at times (depending on the scripture) is only applicable for the time it was written. Like when Paul deals with the issues in some churches at the time. It was for them for that particular issue.