Lexical Summary ophthalmodoulia: Eye-service Original Word: ὀφθαλμοδουλία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance eye-service. From ophthalmos and douleia; sight-labor, i.e. That needs watching (remissness) -- eye-service. see GREEK ophthalmos see GREEK douleia NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ophthalmos and douleia Definition eye service NASB Translation external service (1), eyeservice (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3787: ὀφθαλμοδουλείαὀφθαλμοδουλεία (T WH ὀφθαλμοδουλία; see Iota), ὀφθαλμοδουλειας, ἡ (ὀφθαλμοδουλος, Apostolic Constitutions (4, 12, Coteler. Patr. Apost.) 1, p. 299a; and this from ὀφθαλμός and δοῦλος) (A. V. eye-service i. e.) service performed (only) under the master's eye (μή κατ' ὀφθαλμοδουλίαν, τουτεστι μή μόνον παρόντων τῶν δεσποτῶν καί ὁρώντων, ἀλλά καί ἀποντων, Theophylact on Ephesians 6:6; "for the master's eye usually stimulates to greater diligence; his absence, on the other hand, renders sluggish." H. Stephanus): Ephesians 6:6; Colossians 3:22. Not found elsewhere; (cf. Winer's Grammar, 100 (94)). Topical Lexicon Concept and ImageryStrong’s Greek 3787, ὀφθαλμοδουλία, pictures labor rendered only when the supervisor’s eye is watching—“eye–service.” The term exposes a posture of external compliance masking an internal disregard for the will of God. Its lone appearance in Ephesians 6:6 (“not only while being watched, as people–pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart,”) contrasts superficial obedience with wholehearted submission to Christ. Biblical Usage In the household code of Ephesians 6:5-8, Paul addresses bond-servants. By framing their work as service to the Lord rather than to human eyes, he transforms menial labor into sacred vocation. The apostle moves from the visible master (“your earthly masters”) to the unseen but ultimate Master (“the Lord Christ”). “Eye-service” is placed alongside “people-pleasing,” showing that the sin is not merely laziness but a desire for human applause. This mirrors earlier Scripture: • 1 Samuel 16:7 – “For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.” Together these passages teach that God evaluates the unseen motives behind visible actions. Historical and Cultural Background In first-century Ephesus, slaves comprised a significant portion of the urban population. Masters commonly judged performance by sporadic inspection. A servant could appear diligent when observed yet neglect duties once the master departed. Paul’s admonition uproots this workplace norm by binding the conscience of the believer to Christ’s constant gaze. Thus the gospel penetrates social structures without fomenting rebellion, instead instilling integrity that ultimately subverts injustice. Theological Significance 1. Lordship of Christ: By labeling believers “slaves of Christ,” Paul establishes a higher allegiance that relativizes all human authority. Ministry and Discipleship Applications • Workplace Ethics: Christian employees reject “eye-service” by maintaining diligence in unseen tasks, honoring Christ Monday through Saturday as much as on Sunday. Warnings and Encouragements “Eye-service” corrodes character, fosters deceit, and undermines witness. Yet the gospel offers power to serve “in the sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord” (Colossians 3:22). As believers fix their eyes on the Master who sees in secret, ordinary duties become arenas for extraordinary faithfulness. Forms and Transliterations ἐν οφθαλμοδουλείαις οφθαλμοδουλείαν ὀφθαλμοδουλίᾳ οφθαλμοδουλιαις ὀφθαλμοδουλίαις οφθαλμοδουλιαν ὀφθαλμοδουλίαν en ophthalmodoulia ophthalmodoulíāi ophthalmodoulian ophthalmodoulíanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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