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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"Servants," saith he, "be obedient to them that, according to the flesh, are your masters." Thus at once he raises up, at once soothes the wounded soul. Be not grieved, he seems to say, that you are inferior to the wife and the children. Slavery is nothing but a name. The mastership is "according to the flesh," brief and temporary; for whatever is of the flesh, is transitory. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
Since the virtue of servants also contributes to the good order of the household, he does not leave this aspect without attention either, but approaches it last, because it is also last in its dignity. But he speaks with them not as with unreasonable children, but as with mature persons, as we shall point out further on. Obey, he says, your masters according to the flesh, that is, temporary ones. He immediately comforts them, pointing out that slavery is temporary and is abolished together with the flesh. …
Theodoret of Cyrus
It was necessary for Paul to offer instructions for slaves. They were present everywhere in the church, which contains all classes and strata of human society, both men and women, parents and children, slaves and masters, rich and poor, governors and the governed.
Western Saints
Thomas Aquinas
Once he has given advice concerning the two relationships of husband to wife, and father to children (5:22), he now instructs them regarding the relation of servant to master. For he instructs them to obey as by a command of the Lord. Hence he states Servants, be obedient to your lords according to the flesh. He cautions them regarding reverence, saying with interior fear: "if I be a master, where is my fear?" (Mal. 1:6). And exterior trembling: "serve ye the Lord with fear; and rejoice unto him with trembling" (Ps. 2:11). …
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