Ephesians 6:7

7 And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you're really serving God.

Ephesians 6:7 Meaning and Commentary

Ephesians 6:7

With good will doing service
To their masters; not grudgingly, with an ill will; no otherwise, nor longer than when they are forced to it; but of a ready mind, and with a cheerful spirit, taking delight in their work, and reckoning it a pleasure to serve their masters; as an Israelite that is not sold, who does his work (wnwurb) , "with his good will", and according to his own mind {b}; doing what they do

as to the Lord, and not to men;
not merely because it is the will of men, and they are commanded by them, and in order to please them, but because it is the will of the Lord, and is wellpleasing in his sight.


FOOTNOTES:

F2 Maimon. Hilchot Abadim, c. 1. sect. 7.

Ephesians 6:7 In-Context

5 Servants, respectfully obey your earthly masters but always with an eye to obeying the real master, Christ.
6 Don't just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily, as Christ's servants doing what God wants you to do.
7 And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you're really serving God.
8 Good work will get you good pay from the Master, regardless of whether you are slave or free.
9 Masters, it's the same with you. No abuse, please, and no threats. You and your servants are both under the same Master in heaven. He makes no distinction between you and them.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.