How does Ephesians 6:5 relate to Colossians 3:22 on servant-master relationships?

The Text at a Glance

Ephesians 6:5 — “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.”

Colossians 3:22 — “Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord.”

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Shared Core Instructions

• Obey earthly masters

• Do so with “sincerity of heart”

• Show “respect and fear” (Eph) / “fear of the Lord” (Col)

• Motivation grounded in relationship to Christ

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Nuanced Differences

• Ephesians stresses “just as you would obey Christ,” highlighting service that treats Christ as the true Master.

• Colossians adds “not only to please them while they are watching,” warning against eye-service and hypocrisy.

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Heart Motivation: Serving Christ First

• Both passages shift attention from human authority to Christ’s authority (see also Colossians 3:23-24).

• By rooting obedience in reverence for the Lord, Paul preserves dignity for servants and anchors conduct in worship rather than mere compliance.

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Broader Biblical Harmony

• 1 Peter 2:18 — servants are to submit even to harsh masters, “because of conscience toward God.”

• Titus 2:9-10 — encourage servants to be “well-pleasing, not argumentative,” so they “adorn the doctrine of God.”

• The pattern: outward obedience + inward integrity + God-centered motivation.

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Living the Principle Today

• Employer-employee, student-teacher, or any authority structure: serve wholeheartedly, even when no one is watching.

• Work as an act of worship, honoring Christ by delivering trustworthy, respectful, excellent service.

• Remember Galatians 3:28 — earthly roles don’t determine eternal worth; all stand equal before Christ, the true Master.