Ephesians 6:6
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And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
(Col 3:22). Seeking to please their masters only so long as these have their eyes on them: as Gehazi was a very different man in his master's presence from what he was in his absence (2Ki. 5:1-18). men-pleasers--not Christ-pleasers (compare Gal 1:10; Th1 2:4). doing the will of God--the unseen but ever present Master: the best guarantee for your serving faithfully your earthly master alike when present and when absent. from the heart--literally, soul (Psa 111:1; Rom 13:5).
Open source ↗In this chapter, I. The apostle proceeds in the exhortation to relative duties which he began in the former, particularly he insists on the duties of children and parents, and of servants and masters (Eph 6:1-9). II. He exhorts and directs Christians how to behave themselves in the spiritual warfare with the enemies of their souls; and to the exercise of several Christian graces, which he proposes to them as so many pieces of spiritual armour, to preserve and defend them in the conflict (Eph 6:10-18). III. We have here the conclusion of the epistle, in which he takes his leave of them, recommending himself to the prayers of the believing Ephesians, and praying for them (Eph 6:19-24).
Open source ↗6:6-7 As slaves of Christ: As those who have been bought by the blood of Christ, believers no longer belong to themselves (see 1 Cor 6:19-20; 7:22; cp. Rom 1:1; Gal 1:10; Phil 1:1). For Christian slaves, the will of God is that they honor him by serving their human masters faithfully and with enthusiasm.
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Instead, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, not in order to please men but God, who examines our hearts.
Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God.
For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,