Ephesians 6:5-9 | August 9th
Message Overview
God's Design for Work: How Christians Should Approach Their Jobs
Work takes up a huge portion of our lives, yet many of us rarely stop to think about what God actually says about how we should do it. Ephesians 6:5-9 gives a surprisingly practical and challenging blueprint for how believers should approach their work, their bosses, and the people they lead.
What Does the Bible Say About Work and Submission?
Before diving into the workplace, it helps to understand the bigger picture Paul is painting in Ephesians. In Ephesians 5:15-21, he calls believers to walk wisely, redeeming the time because the days are evil. The goal is not just good behavior. It is being a beacon of the gospel in a world that desperately needs it.
Paul writes: "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." - Ephesians 5:15-16
Everything flows from that foundation. How we work, how we treat those above us, and how we treat those under our leadership all connect back to our relationship with God.
Does God Condone Slavery? Understanding the Historical Context
Ephesians 6 addresses bondservants and masters, which raises an important question. In the Roman Empire, roughly 30% of the population were bondservants or slaves. This was the economic backbone of the empire. Roman slavery was largely non-racial, often temporary, and included a wide range of occupations and a path to freedom.
God did not institute slavery. But Paul's focus was not on launching a political revolution. His concern was an internal revolution. Change the heart first. As one theologian put it, if the early church had launched a militant crusade against slavery, it would have identified Christianity as a political movement and hindered the spreading of the gospel.
The application for us today is the employee-employer relationship. The principles Paul lays out apply directly to how we show up at work every single day.
Four Ways Christians Should Approach Their Work
1. Respect Your Boss, No Matter What
"Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ." - Ephesians 6:5
Notice there is no qualifier here. Paul does not say to be obedient only if you have a good boss. The instruction is simply to obey and to do so with respect. The "fear and trembling" he mentions is not about cowering. It is about giving genuine respect to whoever is in authority over you and doing your very best work because you know they are watching.
This also means cutting out the break room gossip. When we tear down our supervisors behind their backs, we undermine the respect others have for them and we are playing a game of fake respect. That is not what God calls us to.
2. Work with Sincerity of Heart, Not Hypocrisy
Paul warns against "eye service," which means looking busy when the boss walks by but doing nothing when they are gone. Sincerity of heart means there is nothing hidden. What you see is what you get.
"Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything and do it not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord." - Colossians 3:22
This applies to small things too. Consistently showing up late while promising you will be on time is a form of hypocrisy. It tells your employer that your word does not mean much. Sincerity of heart means your actions match your commitments.
3. Work for the Lord, Not for People's Approval
"Not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart." - Ephesians 6:6
People-pleasing is a trap. When we focus entirely on impressing one person, everything else suffers. God calls us to see ourselves as servants of Christ first. Our work is ultimately an offering to Him.
William Barclay put it this way: "It is the conviction of every Christian worker that what He produces must be good enough to show to God." Imagine having to present your day's work to God before you walked out the door. That standard changes everything.
This does not mean ignoring your employer. It means that when you work for God's approval, the quality of your work naturally honors everyone around you as well.
4. Work Eagerly, Even When You Do Not Feel Like It
"With goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men." - Ephesians 6:7
Nobody loves every day at work. But eagerness is a choice. It means walking through the door and deciding that today you will set the standard. You will do better than yesterday. You will serve your co-workers and your supervisor with genuine goodwill, wanting them to succeed.
Your attitude at work is also a witness. People notice when a Christian works differently. It raises questions. It opens doors. You may be the first believer someone has ever worked alongside, and how you show up matters more than you realize.
Is There a Reward for Working This Way?
Yes. Paul makes this clear.
"Knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether He is a slave or free." - Ephesians 6:8
God rewards faithfulness. Before Him, there is no favoritism based on your job title or social status. Whether you are the CEO or the entry-level employee, God sees your work and He rewards those who do it for Him. That reward may come in this life, but it is certainly waiting in eternity.
What Does the Bible Say to Bosses and Employers?
Paul does not let leaders off the hook. He turns directly to masters in verse 9.
"And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him." - Ephesians 6:9
Every principle that applies to the employee applies to the employer as well. Respect, sincerity, working for God's approval, and eagerness are not just for those being led. They are for those doing the leading. And leaders carry an additional responsibility: making it easy for those under them to follow well. A leader who is harsh, threatening, or hypocritical makes it harder for their team to live out what God has called them to do.
No matter how high you climb, you answer to God. And He shows no favoritism.
Why Does This Matter Beyond the Workplace?
Our work is not just about paying bills or building a career. It is a mission field. Every day you go to work, you carry the gospel with you. The way you treat your boss, your co-workers, and the people you lead either opens or closes doors for conversations about faith.
Paul's words in Colossians say it plainly: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." - Colossians 3:23
You are a representative of Christ in your workplace. That is not a burden. It is an incredible opportunity.
Life Application
This week, choose one specific area of your work life where you know you have been cutting corners, complaining behind someone's back, or simply going through the motions. Commit to doing that one thing as if you were presenting it directly to God. Whether it is showing up on time, giving your full effort during a shift, or changing the way you talk about your boss in private, take one concrete step toward working with sincerity, respect, and eagerness for the Lord.
Ask yourself these questions as you head into the week:
God's design for work is not just about productivity. It is about living out the gospel in one of the most visible arenas of your life. Work hard, work honestly, and work for Him.
Work takes up a huge portion of our lives, yet many of us rarely stop to think about what God actually says about how we should do it. Ephesians 6:5-9 gives a surprisingly practical and challenging blueprint for how believers should approach their work, their bosses, and the people they lead.
What Does the Bible Say About Work and Submission?
Before diving into the workplace, it helps to understand the bigger picture Paul is painting in Ephesians. In Ephesians 5:15-21, he calls believers to walk wisely, redeeming the time because the days are evil. The goal is not just good behavior. It is being a beacon of the gospel in a world that desperately needs it.
Paul writes: "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." - Ephesians 5:15-16
Everything flows from that foundation. How we work, how we treat those above us, and how we treat those under our leadership all connect back to our relationship with God.
Does God Condone Slavery? Understanding the Historical Context
Ephesians 6 addresses bondservants and masters, which raises an important question. In the Roman Empire, roughly 30% of the population were bondservants or slaves. This was the economic backbone of the empire. Roman slavery was largely non-racial, often temporary, and included a wide range of occupations and a path to freedom.
God did not institute slavery. But Paul's focus was not on launching a political revolution. His concern was an internal revolution. Change the heart first. As one theologian put it, if the early church had launched a militant crusade against slavery, it would have identified Christianity as a political movement and hindered the spreading of the gospel.
The application for us today is the employee-employer relationship. The principles Paul lays out apply directly to how we show up at work every single day.
Four Ways Christians Should Approach Their Work
1. Respect Your Boss, No Matter What
"Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ." - Ephesians 6:5
Notice there is no qualifier here. Paul does not say to be obedient only if you have a good boss. The instruction is simply to obey and to do so with respect. The "fear and trembling" he mentions is not about cowering. It is about giving genuine respect to whoever is in authority over you and doing your very best work because you know they are watching.
This also means cutting out the break room gossip. When we tear down our supervisors behind their backs, we undermine the respect others have for them and we are playing a game of fake respect. That is not what God calls us to.
2. Work with Sincerity of Heart, Not Hypocrisy
Paul warns against "eye service," which means looking busy when the boss walks by but doing nothing when they are gone. Sincerity of heart means there is nothing hidden. What you see is what you get.
"Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything and do it not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord." - Colossians 3:22
This applies to small things too. Consistently showing up late while promising you will be on time is a form of hypocrisy. It tells your employer that your word does not mean much. Sincerity of heart means your actions match your commitments.
3. Work for the Lord, Not for People's Approval
"Not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart." - Ephesians 6:6
People-pleasing is a trap. When we focus entirely on impressing one person, everything else suffers. God calls us to see ourselves as servants of Christ first. Our work is ultimately an offering to Him.
William Barclay put it this way: "It is the conviction of every Christian worker that what He produces must be good enough to show to God." Imagine having to present your day's work to God before you walked out the door. That standard changes everything.
This does not mean ignoring your employer. It means that when you work for God's approval, the quality of your work naturally honors everyone around you as well.
4. Work Eagerly, Even When You Do Not Feel Like It
"With goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men." - Ephesians 6:7
Nobody loves every day at work. But eagerness is a choice. It means walking through the door and deciding that today you will set the standard. You will do better than yesterday. You will serve your co-workers and your supervisor with genuine goodwill, wanting them to succeed.
Your attitude at work is also a witness. People notice when a Christian works differently. It raises questions. It opens doors. You may be the first believer someone has ever worked alongside, and how you show up matters more than you realize.
Is There a Reward for Working This Way?
Yes. Paul makes this clear.
"Knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether He is a slave or free." - Ephesians 6:8
God rewards faithfulness. Before Him, there is no favoritism based on your job title or social status. Whether you are the CEO or the entry-level employee, God sees your work and He rewards those who do it for Him. That reward may come in this life, but it is certainly waiting in eternity.
What Does the Bible Say to Bosses and Employers?
Paul does not let leaders off the hook. He turns directly to masters in verse 9.
"And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him." - Ephesians 6:9
Every principle that applies to the employee applies to the employer as well. Respect, sincerity, working for God's approval, and eagerness are not just for those being led. They are for those doing the leading. And leaders carry an additional responsibility: making it easy for those under them to follow well. A leader who is harsh, threatening, or hypocritical makes it harder for their team to live out what God has called them to do.
No matter how high you climb, you answer to God. And He shows no favoritism.
Why Does This Matter Beyond the Workplace?
Our work is not just about paying bills or building a career. It is a mission field. Every day you go to work, you carry the gospel with you. The way you treat your boss, your co-workers, and the people you lead either opens or closes doors for conversations about faith.
Paul's words in Colossians say it plainly: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." - Colossians 3:23
You are a representative of Christ in your workplace. That is not a burden. It is an incredible opportunity.
Life Application
This week, choose one specific area of your work life where you know you have been cutting corners, complaining behind someone's back, or simply going through the motions. Commit to doing that one thing as if you were presenting it directly to God. Whether it is showing up on time, giving your full effort during a shift, or changing the way you talk about your boss in private, take one concrete step toward working with sincerity, respect, and eagerness for the Lord.
Ask yourself these questions as you head into the week:
- If I had to present today's work to God at the end of the day, would I be satisfied with what I gave Him?
- Am I showing genuine respect to those in authority over me, or am I faking it and venting elsewhere?
- If I am in a leadership role, am I making it easy for those I lead to follow well?
- Do the people I work with see something different in me that might make them curious about my faith?
God's design for work is not just about productivity. It is about living out the gospel in one of the most visible arenas of your life. Work hard, work honestly, and work for Him.
Day 1: Working for an Audience of One
Devotional
Most of us spend more time at work than almost anywhere else. We clock in, do our jobs, and clock out. But what if your work was meant to be so much more than a paycheck? Paul writes in Ephesians 6 that employees are to work "as to the Lord, not to men." That single idea changes everything. It means your cubicle, your classroom, your job site, or your kitchen is holy ground. God is watching, and He is not standing over you with a hammer waiting for you to fail. He is cheering you on. Think about that for a moment. The God of the universe is interested in how you do your job today. Not just your Sunday morning worship, but your Monday morning attitude. He sees the extra effort nobody else notices. He sees the integrity you choose when it would be easier to cut corners. You are not just working for a boss or a paycheck. You are working for Him. And that changes the standard you hold yourself to every single day.
Bible Verse
"Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man." - Ephesians 6:5-7
Reflection Question
If you truly believed God was watching every task you completed today, what would you do differently?
Quote
"You may not think our boss is seeing what we're doing, but God is always seeing what you're doing. And remember, we are working as to the Lord, not to men."
Prayer
Lord, help me to see my work as an act of worship offered to You. Give me the motivation to bring my best, not for applause, but because You are worth it.
Most of us spend more time at work than almost anywhere else. We clock in, do our jobs, and clock out. But what if your work was meant to be so much more than a paycheck? Paul writes in Ephesians 6 that employees are to work "as to the Lord, not to men." That single idea changes everything. It means your cubicle, your classroom, your job site, or your kitchen is holy ground. God is watching, and He is not standing over you with a hammer waiting for you to fail. He is cheering you on. Think about that for a moment. The God of the universe is interested in how you do your job today. Not just your Sunday morning worship, but your Monday morning attitude. He sees the extra effort nobody else notices. He sees the integrity you choose when it would be easier to cut corners. You are not just working for a boss or a paycheck. You are working for Him. And that changes the standard you hold yourself to every single day.
Bible Verse
"Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man." - Ephesians 6:5-7
Reflection Question
If you truly believed God was watching every task you completed today, what would you do differently?
Quote
"You may not think our boss is seeing what we're doing, but God is always seeing what you're doing. And remember, we are working as to the Lord, not to men."
Prayer
Lord, help me to see my work as an act of worship offered to You. Give me the motivation to bring my best, not for applause, but because You are worth it.
Day 2: More Than a Job Title
Devotional
It is easy to define yourself by what you do. But your identity runs much deeper than your job title or your position on an org chart. When you placed your faith in Christ, something radical happened. You were bought at a price. You belong to Him. That means before you are an employee, a manager, or a business owner, you are a servant of Jesus Christ. And that identity reshapes how you show up every single day. Paul reminds us in Galatians 3:28 that in Christ, the old divisions and hierarchies do not define our worth. Whether you are at the top of the ladder or just starting out, God sees you with equal value and equal expectation. He is not impressed by your title. He is moved by your heart. You carry something into your workplace that no resume can capture. You carry the presence of Christ. That is not a burden. It is a gift, and it is the most powerful thing you bring to work each day.
Bible Verse
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." - Galatians 3:28
Reflection Question
How does knowing your identity is rooted in Christ, rather than your job title, change the way you approach your work relationships?
Quote
"Don't think of yourself as a slave of man. Think of yourself as a slave of Jesus Christ. I belong to him. I've been given a tremendous gift, totally free. I didn't have to work for it."
Prayer
Jesus, remind me today that I belong to You first. Let that truth shape how I treat every person I encounter at work.
It is easy to define yourself by what you do. But your identity runs much deeper than your job title or your position on an org chart. When you placed your faith in Christ, something radical happened. You were bought at a price. You belong to Him. That means before you are an employee, a manager, or a business owner, you are a servant of Jesus Christ. And that identity reshapes how you show up every single day. Paul reminds us in Galatians 3:28 that in Christ, the old divisions and hierarchies do not define our worth. Whether you are at the top of the ladder or just starting out, God sees you with equal value and equal expectation. He is not impressed by your title. He is moved by your heart. You carry something into your workplace that no resume can capture. You carry the presence of Christ. That is not a burden. It is a gift, and it is the most powerful thing you bring to work each day.
Bible Verse
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." - Galatians 3:28
Reflection Question
How does knowing your identity is rooted in Christ, rather than your job title, change the way you approach your work relationships?
Quote
"Don't think of yourself as a slave of man. Think of yourself as a slave of Jesus Christ. I belong to him. I've been given a tremendous gift, totally free. I didn't have to work for it."
Prayer
Jesus, remind me today that I belong to You first. Let that truth shape how I treat every person I encounter at work.
Day 3: Your Work Is Your Witness
Devotional
You may never stand behind a pulpit, but you are preaching every single day. The way you treat a difficult coworker, the way you respond to an unfair boss, the way you handle a stressful deadline. All of it is a sermon. People are watching. And what they see in you either draws them closer to Christ or pushes them further away. That is a sobering thought, but it is also an incredible opportunity. Imagine a coworker who has written off Christians entirely. Then they work alongside you. They notice you are different. You are kind when others are not. You work hard when no one is looking. You stay calm when things fall apart. Curiosity begins to grow. A conversation starts. A door opens. You may never know the full impact of your faithfulness at work. But God does. You could be the link in a chain that leads someone to hear the gospel for the very first time. That is not a small thing. That is a mission.
Bible Verse
"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." - Ephesians 5:15-16
Reflection Question
Is the way you currently show up at work opening doors for gospel conversations, or are there areas where your witness could be stronger?
Quote
"I am a representative of Christ. When I say I am a Christian, there's automatically an assumption of the kind of person we want to be, good or bad."
Prayer
God, make me aware that my workplace is a mission field. Help me to live in a way that makes people curious about You.
You may never stand behind a pulpit, but you are preaching every single day. The way you treat a difficult coworker, the way you respond to an unfair boss, the way you handle a stressful deadline. All of it is a sermon. People are watching. And what they see in you either draws them closer to Christ or pushes them further away. That is a sobering thought, but it is also an incredible opportunity. Imagine a coworker who has written off Christians entirely. Then they work alongside you. They notice you are different. You are kind when others are not. You work hard when no one is looking. You stay calm when things fall apart. Curiosity begins to grow. A conversation starts. A door opens. You may never know the full impact of your faithfulness at work. But God does. You could be the link in a chain that leads someone to hear the gospel for the very first time. That is not a small thing. That is a mission.
Bible Verse
"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." - Ephesians 5:15-16
Reflection Question
Is the way you currently show up at work opening doors for gospel conversations, or are there areas where your witness could be stronger?
Quote
"I am a representative of Christ. When I say I am a Christian, there's automatically an assumption of the kind of person we want to be, good or bad."
Prayer
God, make me aware that my workplace is a mission field. Help me to live in a way that makes people curious about You.
Day 4: Leading with the Same Standard
Devotional
Leadership comes with real responsibility. If you manage a team, supervise others, or run a business, the standard God sets for you is not lower than the one He sets for those you lead. It is the same, with an added layer of accountability. Paul makes this clear in Ephesians 6. Leaders are called to the same sincerity, the same God-centered motivation, and the same respect they expect from others. Harsh leadership, favoritism, and hypocrisy do not just damage morale. They create unnecessary barriers for the people in your care. Here is the encouraging flip side. When you lead well, with integrity and genuine care, you make it easier for your team to follow well. You create an environment where good work can flourish. And ultimately, you answer to the same God they do. No matter how high you climb, you are always reporting to someone. The question is whether the way you lead today reflects the One you ultimately answer to.
Bible Verse
"Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him." - Ephesians 6:9
Reflection Question
If the people you lead were asked to describe your leadership style, would their answer reflect the character of Christ?
Quote
"If you're a boss of someone, you lead a team or whatever, they should show respect. They should come to work eagerly. They should work with sincerity of heart. They should do all those things. But, man, we should be making it easy for them by putting our best forward for them."
Prayer
Father, give me the humility to lead others the way You lead me. Help me to make it easier, not harder, for those in my care to do their best work.
Leadership comes with real responsibility. If you manage a team, supervise others, or run a business, the standard God sets for you is not lower than the one He sets for those you lead. It is the same, with an added layer of accountability. Paul makes this clear in Ephesians 6. Leaders are called to the same sincerity, the same God-centered motivation, and the same respect they expect from others. Harsh leadership, favoritism, and hypocrisy do not just damage morale. They create unnecessary barriers for the people in your care. Here is the encouraging flip side. When you lead well, with integrity and genuine care, you make it easier for your team to follow well. You create an environment where good work can flourish. And ultimately, you answer to the same God they do. No matter how high you climb, you are always reporting to someone. The question is whether the way you lead today reflects the One you ultimately answer to.
Bible Verse
"Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him." - Ephesians 6:9
Reflection Question
If the people you lead were asked to describe your leadership style, would their answer reflect the character of Christ?
Quote
"If you're a boss of someone, you lead a team or whatever, they should show respect. They should come to work eagerly. They should work with sincerity of heart. They should do all those things. But, man, we should be making it easy for them by putting our best forward for them."
Prayer
Father, give me the humility to lead others the way You lead me. Help me to make it easier, not harder, for those in my care to do their best work.
Day 5: Offer It Up
Devotional
What would it look like to end every workday by holding your work up to God and saying, "This was my very best"? That image is both convicting and freeing. Convicting because it raises the bar. Freeing because it reminds you that your work has eternal meaning. Every honest effort, every task done with integrity, every moment of choosing excellence over ease is an offering placed before God. Paul writes in Colossians 3 that whatever you do, do it heartily, as for the Lord. Not just the big projects. Not just the days when you feel motivated. Every day. Every task. As an act of worship. God promises to reward this kind of faithfulness. It may come in this life, but it is certainly coming in the life ahead. One day you will stand before Him, and you want to hear those words: well done. So today, set the standard. Do your work as an offering. Bring your best, not because someone is grading you, but because He is worth it.
Bible Verse
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." - Colossians 3:23-24
Reflection Question
If you treated every task today as an offering to God, what would you do differently, and what would you stop doing?
Quote
"Imagine at the end of your day, you had to take your work, all of it, before you walked out of the office or wherever, you had to say, God, here you go. This was my very best."
Prayer
Lord, I offer my work to You today as an act of worship. Help me to finish this week with the confidence that I gave You my very best.
What would it look like to end every workday by holding your work up to God and saying, "This was my very best"? That image is both convicting and freeing. Convicting because it raises the bar. Freeing because it reminds you that your work has eternal meaning. Every honest effort, every task done with integrity, every moment of choosing excellence over ease is an offering placed before God. Paul writes in Colossians 3 that whatever you do, do it heartily, as for the Lord. Not just the big projects. Not just the days when you feel motivated. Every day. Every task. As an act of worship. God promises to reward this kind of faithfulness. It may come in this life, but it is certainly coming in the life ahead. One day you will stand before Him, and you want to hear those words: well done. So today, set the standard. Do your work as an offering. Bring your best, not because someone is grading you, but because He is worth it.
Bible Verse
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." - Colossians 3:23-24
Reflection Question
If you treated every task today as an offering to God, what would you do differently, and what would you stop doing?
Quote
"Imagine at the end of your day, you had to take your work, all of it, before you walked out of the office or wherever, you had to say, God, here you go. This was my very best."
Prayer
Lord, I offer my work to You today as an act of worship. Help me to finish this week with the confidence that I gave You my very best.