Ephesians 6:6

6 ¹not by way of eyeservice, as ²men-pleasers, but as ³slaves of Christ, ⁴doing the will of God from the heart.

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, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord .

5 Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ;

6 not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.

7 With good will render service, as to the Lord , and not to men,

8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord , whether slave or free.

Cross References

• 1. Colossians 3:22
• 2. Galatians 1:10
• 3. 1 Corinthians 7:22
• 4. Mark 3:35

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "according to"
• [b] Lit "soul"