not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers, but as 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 whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same good again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free.
Show the surrounding paragraph
Ephesians 6:6-8 sits inside this longer paragraph.
Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ, not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers, but as 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 whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same good again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free.
Parallel Translations
-
not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers, but as 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 whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same good again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free.
-
not with service in the eye sight as men pleasars: but as the servautes of Christ doynge the will of God from the herte
with good will servinge the Lorde and not men.
And remember that whatsoever good thinge eny man doeth that shall he receave agayne of the Lorde whether he be bonde or fre.
Show all 3 translations
-
Not with seruice to the eye, as men pleasers, but as the seruants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
With good will, seruing the Lord, and not men.
And knowe ye that whatsoeuer good thing any man doeth, that same shall he receiue of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
Cross-references (41)
- Colossians 3:22-23 (v6) Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in…
- Colossians 3:23 (v7) And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men,
- 1 Thessalonians 2:4 (v6) But even as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News, so we speak: not as pleasing men, but God, who tests our…
- Galatians 1:10 (v6) For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn’t be a servant…
- 1 Corinthians 10:31 (v7) Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Show all 41 cross-references
- Colossians 3:24 (v8) knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
- Ephesians 6:5-6 (v7) Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to…
- Luke 14:14 (v8) and you will be blessed, because they don’t have the resources to repay you. For you will be repaid in the resurrection of the righteous.”
- Ephesians 5:17 (v6) Therefore don’t be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
- Proverbs 11:18 (v8) Wicked people earn deceitful wages, but one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
- Matthew 6:4 (v8) so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
- Matthew 16:27 (v8) For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will render to everyone according to his deeds.
- 2 Corinthians 5:10 (v8) For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may receive the things in the body according to what he has…
- Philippians 2:12 (v6) So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation…
- 1 Peter 4:2 (v6) that you no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
- 2 Kings 5:13 (v7) His servants came near, and spoke to him, and said, “My father, if the prophet had asked you do some great thing, wouldn’t you have done…
- Matthew 12:50 (v6) For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
- Genesis 31:38-40 (v7) “These twenty years I have been with you. Your ewes and your female goats have not cast their young, and I haven’t eaten the rams of your…
- Matthew 7:21 (v6) Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
- 2 Kings 5:2-3 (v7) The Syrians had gone out in bands, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maiden; and she waited on Naaman’s wife.…
- Matthew 10:41-42 (v8) He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. He who receives a righteous man in the name of a…
- Luke 6:35 (v8) But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most…
- Colossians 1:9 (v6) For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don’t cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the…
- Hebrews 10:36 (v6) For you need endurance so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise.
- Hebrews 13:21 (v6) make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom…
- Genesis 31:6 (v7) You know that I have served your father with all of my strength.
- Proverbs 23:18 (v8) Indeed surely there is a future hope, and your hope will not be cut off.
- Matthew 5:12 (v8) Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
- Matthew 6:1 (v8) “Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in…
- Romans 2:6-10 (v8) who “will pay back to everyone according to their works:” to those who by perseverance in well-doing seek for glory, honor, and…
- Romans 6:17 (v6) But thanks be to God, that, whereas you were bondservants of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you…
- Colossians 3:11 (v8) where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, or free person; but Christ is all,…
- Hebrews 10:35 (v8) Therefore don’t throw away your boldness, which has a great reward.
- 1 John 2:17 (v6) The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God’s will remains forever.
- Isaiah 3:11 (v8) Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them; for the deeds of his hands will be paid back to him.
- Jeremiah 24:7 (v6) I will give them a heart to know me, that I am Yahweh. They will be my people, and I will be their God; for they will return to me with…
- Galatians 3:28 (v8) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
- Colossians 4:12 (v6) Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and…
- Hebrews 11:26 (v8) considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
- Jeremiah 3:10 (v6) Yet for all this her treacherous sister, Judah, has not returned to me with her whole heart, but only in pretense,” says Yahweh.
- 1 Peter 2:15 (v6) For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (17 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
Private notes
Saved on this device only — never synced or sent anywhere.
John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv7–8 With good will doing service. (Ver. 7.) This is…
With good will doing service. (Ver. 7.) This is contrasted with the suppressed indignation which swells the bosom of slaves. Though they dare not openly break out or give signs of obstinacy, their dislike of the authority exercised over them is so strong, that it is with the greatest unwillingness and reluctance that they obey their masters.
Whoever reads the accounts of the dispositions and conduct of slaves, which are scattered through the writings of the ancients, will be at no loss to perceive that the number of injunctions here given does not exceed that of the diseases which prevailed among this class, and which it was of importance to cure. But the same instruction applies to male and female servants of our own times. It is God who appoints and regulates all the arrangements of society. As the condition of servants is much more agreeable than that of slaves in ancient times, they ought to consider themselves far less excusable, if they do not endeavor, in every way, to comply with Paul’s injunctions.
Read full note →
Masters according to the flesh. (Ver. 5.) This expression is used to soften the harsh aspect of slavery. He reminds them that their spiritual freedom, which was by far the most desirable, remained untouched.
Eye-service (ὀφθαλμοδουλεία) is mentioned; because almost all servants are addicted to flattery, but, as soon as their master’s back is turned, indulge freely in contempt, or perhaps in ridicule. Paul therefore enjoins godly persons to keep at the greatest distance from such deceitful pretences.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv6–8 To cut off occasion of all pretences, he teacheth…
To cut off occasion of all pretences, he teacheth us that it is God’s will that some are either born or made servants, and therefore they must respect God’s will, although their service be never so hard.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv6–8 6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the…
6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
Ver. 6. Not with eyeservice] And yet it were well if we would do God, our great Master, but eyeservice. For his eye is ever upon us, and pierceth into the inward parts. So that they much deceive themselves, who think all is well because no man can say to them, Black is thine eye.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv6–8 Not with eyeservice; not merely having respect to your…
Not with eyeservice; not merely having respect to your masters’ presence, and looking upon you in your work.
As men-pleasers; such as make it their only business to please their masters, right or wrong, and ingratiate themselves with them, though by offending God.
Read full note →
But as the servants of Christ; as becomes the servants of Christ, or as those that are the servants of Christ, and seek to please him.
Doing the will of God; performing obedience to your masters not barely as their will, but God’s will, who requires it, as Eph 6:5.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv6–8 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers,.... Doing nothing but when…
Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers,.... Doing nothing but when under the master's eye, and then pretending a great deal of diligence and industry, in order to ingratiate themselves into his affections, and neglecting his business when he is absent; whereas they ought to attend his service in his absence, as well as in his presence, and so seek to please him, which is commendable.
But as the servants of Christ; acting in like manner as the servants of Christ, who are not menpleasers; or as if they themselves were serving Christ, as indeed they are, when they are doing that which is the will of Christ:
Read full note →
doing the will of God from the heart; meaning not the will of God in a religious, but in a civil sense, yielding a cheerful and hearty obedience to their own masters.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv6–8 Not with eye-service - Serving them better when under…
Not with eye-service - Serving them better when under their eye than at other times. But doing the will of God from the heart - Doing whatever you do, as the will of God, and with your might.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv6–8 Verse 6. Not with eye-service] Not merely in their…
Verse 6. Not with eye-service] Not merely in their presence, when their eye is upon you, as unfaithful and hypocritical servants do, without consulting conscience in any part of their work.
Doing the will of God] Seeing that you are in the state of servitude, it is the will of God that you should act conscientiously in it.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv6–8 Nor with eye-service - That is, not with service…
Nor with eye-service - That is, not with service rendered only under the eye of the master, or when his eye is fixed on you. The apostle has here adverted to one of the evils of involuntary servitude as it exists everywhere. It is, that the slave will usually obey only when the eye of the master is upon him. The freeman who agrees to labor for stipulated wages may be trusted when the master is out of sight; but not the slave. Hence the necessity where there are slaves of having “drivers” who shall attend them, and who shall compel them to work. This evil it is impossible to avoid, except where true religion prevails - and the extensive prevalence of true religion would set the slave at liberty. Yet as long as the relation exists, the apostle would enjoin on the servant the duty of performing his work conscientiously, as rendering service to the Lord. This direction, moreover, is one of great importance to all who are employed in the service of others. They are bound to perform their duty with as much fidelity as though the eye of the employer was always upon them, remembering that though the eye of man may be turned away, that of God never is.
As men-pleasers - As if it were the main object to please people. The object should be rather to please and honor God.
Read full note →
But as the servants of Christ - see the notes on 1Co 7:22.
Doing the will of God from the heart - That is, God requires industry, fidelity, conscientiousness, submission, and obedience in that rank of life. We render acceptable service to God when, from regard to his will, we perform the services which are demanded of us in the situation in life where we may be placed, however humble that may be.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On v6 Not serving to the eye; to please men only,…
Not serving to the eye; to please men only, but to do the will of God. (Witham)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv6–8 (Col 3:22). Seeking to please their masters only so…
(Col 3:22). Seeking to please their masters only so long as these have their eyes on them: as Gehazi was a very different man in his master's presence from what he was in his absence (2Ki. 5:1-18).
men-pleasers--not Christ-pleasers (compare Gal 1:10; Th1 2:4).
Read full note →
doing the will of God--the unseen but ever present Master: the best guarantee for your serving faithfully your earthly master alike when present and when absent.
from the heart--literally, soul (Psa 111:1; Rom 13:5).
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv6–8 6. Eyeservice—Service performed only because the eye of the…
6. Eyeservice—Service performed only because the eye of the master would detect its omission or slight performance. This is serving the eye and not the interest of the man we profess to serve. Alford quotes an anecdote from the Greek of Xenophon: for which we may give the following condensed equivalent. A farrier being asked what would quickly fatten a horse, replied, “The eye of the master.”
Servants—Or, as Alford frankly renders it, slaves, of Christ, who alone has a right to be your master, and, as such, requires your faithful service even to your wrongful masters. For be it noted once for all, that St. Paul does not say of the obedience of slaves as he does of children, this is naturally and intrinsically right. Eph_6:1.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv6, 8 6. eyeservice] The word is found elsewhere only Col_3:22,…
6. eyeservice] The word is found elsewhere only Col_3:22, and was possibly coined by St Paul. It is the “service” which works for another only under the compulsion of inspection, and only in external action.
menpleasers] With no higher aim than the personal comfort of getting, anyhow, the master’s approval or indulgence. Cp. Gal_1:10 for a close parallel. The underlying fact is that the earthly master can be “pleased” by a merely specious service, but that the Christian is really enslaved to One who sees infallibly whether the service rendered Him is service of the heart. This comes out in the following clauses.
Read full note →
the will of God] expressed in the present fact of your servile duty.
Thus did the Gospel dignify the lowest walk of human life, in the act of imposing the yoke of Christ on the whole being of the Christian.
“A servant with this clause
Makes drudgery divine;
Who sweeps a room as for Thy laws
Makes that and th’ action fine.”
Herbert, The Elixir.
the heart] Lit., the soul. So (Gr.) Col_3:23. A spring of innermost good-will, alike to the Heavenly Master and the earthly, must work within. Cp. 1Ti_6:1-2.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv6–8 (6) Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers.—This verse is merely…
(6) Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers.—This verse is merely an expansion of the idea of singleness of heart. The word “eyeservice” (used here, and in Col_3:22) is peculiar to St. Paul, and to these passages; the word “menpleasers” is not found elsewhere in the New Testament, but is used in the LXX.; and the antithesis of “pleasing men” and “pleasing God “is not unfrequent with St. Paul. (See Gal_1:10-11; 1Th_2:4.) To a slave, looking on his master’s authority as mere power imposed by the cruel laws of man, this “eyeservice” is found to be an all but irresistible temptation. It is only when he looks on himself as “the slave of Christ”—who Himself “took on Him the form of a slave” (Php_2:7) in order to work out the will of God in a sinful world, and to redeem all men from bondage—that he can possibly serve from the heart.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv6–8 Not in the spirit of eye-service, as men-pleasers; but…
Not in the spirit of eye-service, as men-pleasers; but as the bond-servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.
Exegetical of the last exhortation, with a negative and a positive clause, according to the apostle"s frequent practice. (comp. Eph_2:8, 19 3:5 4:14, 15, 25, 28, 29 5:18, 27, 29 6:4) Eye-service and men-pleasing have reference only to what will pass muster in the world; Christians must go deeper, as bound to Christ"s service by the great claim of redemption, (1Co_6:20) and remembering that "man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart". (1Sa_16:7) The will of God is our great standard, and our daily prayer is, "Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." In heaven it is done "from the heart."
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv6–7 Not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but as the servants…
Eph_6:6
Not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.
Read full note →
Not with eye-service
This exhortation is addressed to servants, i.e., to those who serve, whatever their position as servants may be; whether in the position of bond slaves as in the days of Paul, or of hired servants as in our own day, or of merchants, physicians, lawyers, ministers, or young men, who, for remuneration of any kind, undertake to serve individuals or the public, To all such the exhortation of our text is, that they should discharge their duties, not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as unto Christ. But the exhortation of our text is of far wider application. It is equally applicable to masters--to those who are served, as truly as to those who serve. For immediately after addressing himself to servants, or slaves, Paul said (Eph_6:9), And ye masters, do the same things unto them. Paul had the same rule for masters and for servants. And he gave the reason of this, saying, Ye masters, do the same things unto them, knowing that your Master also is in heaven--or, as in the margin, knowing that your and their Master is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with Him.
I. The manner in which we should discharge our duties to our fellow men.
1. Negatively--how it should not be done. Not with eye-service. This is a word which Paul coined and struck in the royal mint of his own ardent and honest mind. I am not aware that it was ever heard before. But it is a word so true and graphic that it tells its own meaning. Eye-service is either service done only to please the eye, but which cannot bear to be tested; or it is good and real service, but only given when the eye of a master sees it. Not with eye-service is happily associated with that other word, not as men-pleasers. For eye-servants care only to please men. The rule of their duty is, not what is fair and honourable, nor even what may reasonably be expected from them, but only as much as will please the eye of their employers. All else is neglected and left undone, if only the failure in service does not appear to be in them. How much there is of eye-service and men-pleasing in all classes!
2. The positive description of our duty--how it should be done: With fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as unto Christ. With fear and trembling. From other parts of Scripture where this expression is found, it is plain that it does not mean with fear of punishment, as the slave fears the lash, nor with trembling before men, as the slave trembles before his master, but that it means with anxious and tremulous desire to do our duty. And as this anxiety to discharge our duty is the opposite of eye-service, so also, In singleness of heart as to Christ is the opposite or contrary to, as men-pleasers. Not as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, as to Christ.
II. The motive by which Paul calls us to the discharge of our ordinary earthly duties. He exhorts us to sanctify, to hallow, to ennoble our earthly duties, by doing them not as to men, but as unto the Lord. Now, consider this motive.
1. Observe, it is addressed to the disciples of Christ--to those who knew and owned Him as their Lord; to the blood bought, the redeemed, the renewed disciples of Christ; to those who, believing in Him, have been pardoned for all past transgressions, and have been born again of His Holy Spirit. It is not now the Law with its lash and its rewords urging men in general, and saying, Do this and live--do it or die. It is Christ the Saviour who speaks to His saved ones, and says, Ye live, therefore do this--Ye live through Me, do this to Me.
2. Mark how this motive sweetens, sanctifies, ennobles our earthly work. It then becomes a part of our worship. Animated by such a thought, the school boy diligently, joyfully applies himself to his task. The clerk needs no other masters eye over him to keep him to his work. The tradesman carefully executes his orders to the last stitch, when he feels that he works not merely for men, but for Christ. The merchant no longer sells spurious or adulterated goods, when he feels that he sells, not to men, but to the Lord Himself. The minister, the physician, the lawyer, are no longer content with a formal or perfunctory discharge of duty. The creditor, presenting his account, asks no more than is really due, and the debtor faithfully pays it. And now, in conclusion, you can understand why the apostle specially and formally addressed this exhortation to servants--nay, to slaves. The exhortation is equally applicable to masters. Why, then, did Paul primarily and formally address it to slaves? There was wisdom and tenderness in this. Paul saw and pitied the irksome lot of slaves. He could not break their chains, but he sought to gild and lighten them. He told them that they could make their irksome task pleasant by doing it to the Lord. He sweetened their lot by showing them that the Lord did not despise them, and would reward them for the good they might do. It was a tender and touching thing in Paul first to stoop to wipe the sweat from the brow of slaves. But it was also wisely and well done. For when thus, by enjoining obedience on slaves, he had gained the ear and propitiated the heart of their masters, turning to them he could say with power, And ye masters, do the same things to them, knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven, who demands the same obedience from you. Paul could not emancipate the slaves; but in that appeal to masters he sowed the seed corn, small as a grain of mustard seed, which has produced the harvest of emancipation in every land to which the gospel has come in power. (W. Grant.)
Eye-service
I saw two boys at work addressing envelopes--or rather, one was at work, while the other, with his pen in his hand, was looking out of the window. Their employer was seated near by; and when he caught my eye he smiled. Which of the two boys is the better workman, and the most valued, do you think? he asked me in a low voice. The one at work, I should suppose, I rejoined. No, sir; that lad who is looking from the window now, does so, because he thinks there is no harm in it--does it, you see, under my eyes. On the other hand, while my eye is on them, the other boy is the most industrious; but I find that in my absence he does nothing. So you see he adds deceit to his fault. I would not trust him out of my sight. It seems to me that neither of them is worth much. To be sure, came the immediate answer, a boy who attended to his duties at all times would be best; but a boy who renders eye-service merely, who cannot be trusted to work without watching, is not to be tolerated. The man who said this had seen much of the world; he knew whereof he spoke.
The reward of service
There comes over to our shores a poor stonecutter. The times are so bad at home that he is scarcely able to earn bread enough to eat; and by a whole years stinting economy he manages to get together just enough to pay for a steerage passage to this country. He comes, homeless and acquaintanceless, and lands in New York, and wanders over to Brooklyn and seeks employment. He is ashamed to beg bread; and yet he is hungry. The yards are all full; but, still, as he is an expert stonecutter, a man, out of charity, says, Well, I will give you a little work--enough to enable you to pay for your board. And he shows him a block of stone to work on. What is it? One of many parts which are to form some ornament. Here is just a querl or fern, and there is a branch of what is probably to be a flower. He goes to work on this stone and most patiently shapes it. He carves that bit of a fern, putting all his skill and taste into it. And by and by the master says, Well done, and takes it away, and gives him another block, and tells him to work on that. And so he works on that, from the rising of the sun till the going down of the same, and he only knows that he is earning his bread. And he continues to put all his skill and taste into his work. He has no idea what use will be made of those few stems which he has been carving, until afterwards, when, one day, walking along the street, and looking up at the front of the Art Gallery, he sees the stones upon which he has worked. He did not know what they were for; but the architect did. And as he stands looking at his work on that structure which is the beauty of the whole street, the tears drop down from his eyes, and he says, I am glad I did it well. And every day as he passes that way he says to himself, exultingly, I did it well. He did not draw the design nor plan the building, and he knew nothing of what use was to be made of his work; but he took pains in cutting those stems; and when he saw that they were a part of that magnificent structure, his soul rejoiced. Dear brethren, though the work which you are doing seems small, put your heart in it; do the best you can wherever you are; and by and by God will show you where He has put that work. And when you see it stand in that great structure which He is building you will rejoice in every single moment of fidelity with which you wrought. Do not let the seeming littleness of what you are doing now damp your fidelity. (H. W. Beecher.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv6–8 6. Not with eye-service. Service that seems faithful when…
6. Not with eye-service. Service that seems faithful when under the eye of the master, but relaxes when he does not see. Such is the usual service of slaves, unless they have a high sense of duty.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv6, 8 6:6-7 As slaves of Christ: As those who have…
6:6-7 As slaves of Christ: As those who have been bought by the blood of Christ, believers no longer belong to themselves (see 1 Cor 6:19-20; 7:22; cp. Rom 1:1; Gal 1:10; Phil 1:1). For Christian slaves, the will of God is that they honor him by serving their human masters faithfully and with enthusiasm.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.