Fathers

Ephesians 6

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Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, 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. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

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What the Fathers say

Ephesians 6:9

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"And ye masters," he continues, "do the same things unto them." The same things. What are these? "With good-will do service." However he does not actually say, "do service," though by saying, "the same things," he plainly shows this to be his meaning. For the master himself is a servant. "Not as men-pleasers," he means, "and with fear and trembling": that is, toward God, fearing lest He one day accuse you for your negligence toward your slaves. "And forbear threatening;" be not irritating, he means, nor oppressive. …

Homily on Ephesians 22 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

"In the same way." How? Serve willingly and not as people-pleasers, but with fear and trembling, that is, in relation to God. For although he did not express this directly in words, he desires it. For the master also serves the slave, caring for him and providing him with everything necessary and generally supporting him and condescending to him, and, as Solomon says, sharing labor with him. He did not say: leaving aside the whip, but even "severity," and all the more so punishment, that is, do not be harsh even in threats. …

Commentary on Ephesians ↗

Peter of Alexandria

But the freemen shall be tried by penance for three years, both for their dissimulation, and for having compelled their fellow-servants to offer sacrifice, inasmuch as they have not obeyed the apostle, who would have the masters do the same things unto the servant, forbearing threatening; knowing, says he, that our and their Master is in heaven; and that there is no respect of persons with Him. …

Peter of Alexandria Canonical Epistle ↗

Western Saints

Jerome

Serving is to be done "in singleness of heart." One is called to "do the will of God" and to do it "with a good will," that is, with benevolence from the heart. Everyone will finally receive just judgment from the Lord for whatever good he has done. If he has served as a lowly one in the household, he will be judged justly according to his responsibility. The master of the household is not to be overbearing, not quick to punish. …

Commentary on Ephesians 6:9 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then he goes on to give advice to masters. He states, therefore, And you, masters, do the same, namely, with a proportional identity: as servants act from the heart and with a good will, so also should you act. "If you have a faithful servant, let him be to you as your own soul" (Sirach 33:31)—forbearing threatenings and not only [refraining from] blows and whippings. Why? He gives the reason when he says knowing that the Lord both of them and you is in heaven. "For the same is Lord over all" (Rom. 10:12). …

Commentary on Ephesians ↗