Ephesians 6:6

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.

Ephesians 6:6 Meaning and Commentary

Ephesians 6:6

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:

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.

Ephesians 6:6 In-Context

4 Fathers, don't exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.
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.
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.