A Multicultural look at Ephesians--Introduction

The book of Ephesians reads more like a sermon than a pastoral letter; there is an impersonal and indirect quality about it...possibly like many Christian blogs today. A united church of Jews and Gentiles ...together... finding their true place...it just impacts the author, probably Paul...makes him praise God in liturgy...makes him pray. No barriers of race, culture, social status.. because of Christ. Powerful stuff.

I suspect, Ephesians was meant to be read out loud to different believing communities; you may like to do the same in your groups and Youtube your efforts.

On campus there are students from all races, cultures and backgrounds; in Christ that diversity is our strength. This study is written so that the words of the Ephesians will touch our hearts, challenge our minds and change our lives. Ephesians shows how it is in God's nature to mysteriously unite/synergise/cohere/bind the diversity of gifts/people/lives.

In 2013, I found the study too difficult to use on Wintec campus and modified it into a 4 part series called Seeing the World. I retained the original study to use as a resource if necessary. The studies  will be reused on campus in 2014. Look out for posters.

Written specifically for multicultural groups, each study ends examining very briefly the different cultural approaches to Value Continuums such as time and person orientation, communication skills, approaches to crisis, thinking and status.
(Taken from Lingenfelter, Sherwood G. and Marvin K Mayers R. Ministering Cross-Culturally: An Incarnational Model for Personal Relationships. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1986. A summary can be found http://mmm.moody.edu/genmoody/Media/MediaLibrary/Ministering%20Cross-Culturally.pdf)



Fundamentally, regardless of race, as humans we need the same things-- God's love.

Casting Crowns says it in song:

As you read aloud Ephesians, some verses may stand out and you may like to pause over them and wonder why. Like the maker of this video has done:

Seeing the World (Ephesians 1)

Seeing the world--Part 1
How do we find out more about the world we live in? Books? Newspapers?
Other media sources?
How do we find out more about our immediate surroundings?
We use our senses; we get to know people; we ask questions.
(Play the Ungame 1- Getting to know you)

There is another world which we cannot see if God had not revealed it to us.

1) Blessed: Let us honor and thank the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He has already given us a taste of what heaven is like.  
2) We are given a past: Even before the world was made, God chose us for Himself because of His love. He planned that we should be holy and without blame as He sees us. 
3) We are given a family: God already planned to have us as His own children.
4) We are paid for so that we are debt-free: This was done by Jesus Christ. In His plan God wanted this done. We thank God for His loving-favor to us. He gave this loving-favor to us through His much-loved Son.  Because of the blood of Christ, we are bought and made free from the punishment of sin. And because of His blood, our sins are forgiven. His loving-favor to us is so rich.  He was so willing to give all of this to us. He did this with wisdom and understanding. 
5) We are given a future: God told us the secret of what He wanted to do. It is this: In loving thought He planned long ago to send Christ into the world.  The plan was for Christ to gather us all together at the right time. If we are in heaven or still on earth, He will bring us together and will be head over all.
(Play the Ungame 2--God at work in the world)

Our prayer for our group

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.  I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,  and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength  he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.  And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,  which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

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SIT

A famous Chinese preacher Watchman Nee divided up the book of Ephesians into three words: sit, walk and stand. As we read Ephesians 1, we are told (2:6) that we are "seated with and in Jesus at the right hand of the God in the heavenly realm." Ephesians 1 unpacks this for us. 

Start with an ice breaker: Learn some greetings from each other.
Paul starts his letter with two greetings, one from each language.

"Shalom" Peace in Hebrew.

"Charis" Grace in Greek


1) What does Paul convey when he refers to himself as an apostle, one who is sent with a message? How does he refer to his audience? Talk about how we see ourselves and the preconceptions we have of others, how does it affect the way we interact. Listen to the story of an African refugee in America at Christmas. What is your response?
(Did you know that one quarter of the Somali population in New Zealand lived in the Waikato and 12% of the total African population in New Zealand lived in the Waikato? Taken from http://www.waikatodhb.govt.nz/file/fileid/9321)

2) What does small talk in your social circle normally revolve around? Is talking about religion considered rude in your social circle? (Bible study group not included) Why?

Notice how Paul jumps right into talking about God. How do we culturally avoid talking about God when we feel uncomfortable? 

3) In the original Greek these 12 verses are just one sentence. What does this sentence(1:3-14) tell you about God? What does God do? (Tip you might like to colour each role a different colour)

GOD THE FATHER

GOD THE SON

GIOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

4) Do you see God as one person, or as three persons when you talk to him? Describe how you relate to God?

5) How do these verses affect your understanding of God?

(ie If God is one person, how can God be love? (Love implies relationship) If God is three Persons, why do we use the singular to talk about God) How do you feel about this mysterious aspect of God?

6) Summarize the prayer Paul has for the Ephesians?

i)

ii)   Give you the….

iii)  Better vision regarding a)

                                                b)

                                                c)

7) If we are also part of Christ’s body, which has the fullness of Christ (In terms of having Christ’s life, direction, power, strength, and might) working in us, what blessings would we ask in prayer for our group? Perhaps, we should pause to pray our own version of Paul's prayer for our group.

Discussion for a Multicultural Group

Contrast cultures with a time orientation to those with an relationship orientation. Find out where each person sits in your group. If in our bible study group relating is an important part of why members gather, then what does the time orientated person need to do? If you are the only relationship orientated person in your group what could you do? (Hint: schedule the social)

TIME ORIENTATION OR RELATIONSHIP

Seeing a world of people (Ephesians 2,3)

Seeing a World of People (Part 2)

Bring a live plant and a dead leaf
1. What makes something alive and what makes something dead?
2. Ephesians 2 talks about what is dead or alive in Christ.
3. Think about what life/death means to your own life and those around you.

Bring pictures of countries (flags), families and buildings.
1 What binds these together?
2. Jesus talks about uniting 2 cultural groups in Ephesians--Jews and Gentiles.
How do you think this works?
3. How do you feel about God loving the world regardless of race, gender, class and nationality?

What do you find mysterious?
1. What is Paul's relationship to mystery?
2. What is yours?

Pray this for your group
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen
 
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Ephesians Chapter 2-3
Being with Christ

One of the people I really feel one in Christ with, even though I have never met him is Vinoth Ramachandra from Sri Lanka. He is the Secretary for Dialogue & Social Engagement for the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students. (TSCF in NZ is part of this family) This is his story http://vinothramachandra.wordpress.com/about/ and here he is talking about Christ at the Veritas Forums. These are university events that engage students and faculty in discussions about life's hardest questions and the relevance of Jesus Christ to all of life.

Ice breaker: Talk about someone who is very different from you but you feel that you are one in Christ with.

1)) This paragraph describes the movement from the 5 fold alienation or loneliness of human beings (Christless, Stateless, Friendless, Hopeless, Godless) to being God’s workmanship (or in the Greek; God’s artwork/masterpiece). What do you think being God’s workmanship means?

2) How has God changed your life? Share with the group if you feel comfortable or pass if it is too hard to share. If no one shares you may want to listen to Nick Vujicic's story.

 

3) Jesus created a third race (R Kent Hughes 1990, pg 92) of people that had no racial, cultural, social—economic or gender walls separating them. In 2:11-22, Paul talked to the Jews and the Gentiles who hated one another.

The Jews would say, “Gentiles are created to fuel the fires of Hell”

The Gentiles would say “any-non Greek is an enemy.”

How would you bring two cultures of people (traditional enemies) together if you were Jesus?

4) What did Jesus do? (2:14-18) Why?

Note: Circumcision is an outward sign of a promised relationship God made to his people.

i)

ii)

iii)

5) The result of this is a common city, family and building. What do these picture words tell you about our relationship with each other Christ?

i) City

ii) Family

iii) Buildings

(Note: A cornerstone gives the building stability and alightment)

6) Chapter 3:6 talks about all of us as:

i) fellow heirs of the same blessings

ii) being fellow members of the same body

iii) fellow partakers of the same promise

and Paul works and suffers to make it happen.

Do you think this job of racial reconciliation through Christ is important? (Be honest)

What priority should it be given?

What would happen if no ones does it?
Does your perspective change knowing that Christ has already created unity and we are to preserve it?

7) Pray for each other using your own version of Ephesians 3:14-21


Discussion for a multicultural group
Communication styles can often affect how your group makes decisions or has discussions. Some cultures avoid confrontation and emotions while others express themselves freely. These videos explain only two aspects of this difference.
Cultural Dimension: Display of emotions

Direct or indirect communicator

Other aspects you may discover to be different as you continue to make friends with the people in your group are that some cultures share their story easily and are more emotionally vulnerable than others. It maybe more important to remind yourself to suspend judgement than to try and change the communication style of the others in your group. After a while you may appreciate the way other people communicate and be able to vary your own style to fit different people; making you a skilled cross-cultural communicator.

Like Paul, you may like to end this section with another prayer.

Seeing a shared world. (Ephesians 4-5)

Seeing a shared world (Part 3)
Bring a dish to share
1) In my culture, food brings people together. In Fiji, people talk over a drink --kava bowl. What brings people together to share life in your world.
2) Paul talks about coming together through an attitude change. (Eph 4: 1-3)
3) Do you see that working in your world?


Why do we meet together?
Read Eph 4:4-13
Christ works in ministering unity (hope, lord, faith, baptism)
Christ then gives us gifts to help build the body as well.
1) How does being part of a group help you discover which gifts you have?
2) What do you think the "fullness of the measure of Christ" means?
3) How do spiritual friends help?
______________________________________________________
Ephesians 4-5:5 -- Walk
Scenes that unite people

Tragic and joyful events of emotional intensity bring people together to a particular time and space.

The Internet brings people together momentarily to share a screen event from different time zones and geographical spaces. But do they connect? What does unity and connection mean? 

From the previous studies, we learn that there is an interdependence, collectivity that is non-mechanical--this is the biblical notions of unity. Each of us is unique and contributes in unique ways to our shared life together. In other words, we are not cogs in a machine, a number in a crowd, a contributing voice in cyberspace...our lives are unique, our lives count. Yay! Hang on everyone's life counts even the people in your group whom you don't like. Stink! God given unity occurs as each of us try to live a life worthy of the calling we have received, together--the catch phrase is to WALK WORTHY.


Dave Meslin on TED talks says it well, "A heroic effort is a collective effort , its imperfect (ie its not very glamourous, It doesn't suddenly start and suddenly end, it is an ongoing process your whole life) and most importantly its voluntary. It comes from within, it is about following your dream (God's call), uninvited (invited thru' this verse) and working with others to make those dreams come true."


Paul pleads that:

i) Our character and behaviour can unify a group

ii) God’s desire is for unity and is working towards unity

iii) A diversity of gifts each contribute to unity and maturity of the group—in other words WALK WORTHY AND WALK THE TALK

1) Because often well-meaning Christian hold firmly to views that are contested by other equally fervent believers, for the unity in Christ to be preserved, we need qualities of humility, meekness, patience and bearing with one another in love. Unpack how each quality could be lived out in your group or flat or hostel?

a) Humility (v2)

b) Gentleness or meekness (v2) Hint: not the same as weakness but strength under control.

c) Patience (v2)

d) Bearing with one another in love (v2)

2) Why do you think Paul talks about character or attitude change as leading to racial unity as opposed to a structural or organizational change? Think of examples where you have been forced to interact with people who are very different from you. How did you feel? (Skip this question if you feel uncomfortable talking about it) Why do you think being the odd one out is sometimes better for you than being part of the crowd?

3) Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace v3. From your own experience, what do you think the qualities of a peace-maker (in relation to reconciling  different races) are? 

4) Then  Paul brings God into the picture again God the Father is our shared Father (v6) and in charge, orchestrates and empowers the body of Christ.

Christ works in ministering unity (hope, lord, faith, baptism)

Christ then gives us gifts to help build the body as well.

Do you know which gifts you have? How would you go about testing your gifts?

5) What do all these gifts have in common? (v11-13)

Why is this important to aim for unity and maturity in Christ? (v14)

WALKING THE TALKING

How would you paraphrase this chapter in your context? Here is one version.

Our unity in Christ grows and develops as we walk the talk even as our diverse gifts, race, temperaments, cultures and backgrounds contributes to our fullness in Christ.

6) In 4:20 Jesus is the subject of our study, the teacher and even the learning atmosphere. What does (v22-24) say we are taught? Discuss what the turning point (v23) “to be made new in the attitude of your mind” mean in practice.

7) What is considered the old self (C4:25- C5:5)

8) What is considered the new self?

 Here Stan Walker talks about how he walks his talk as a singer and he is able to do so because his younger siblings hold him accountable. Many times walking the talk is easier with other people walking along side us.

9) Are there parts of your old self which you find hard to Change? Would you like to make some goals and get others to hold you accountable? Or start a blog to share your journey.

Discussion for a multicultural group
Here are two different cultural attitudes towards crisis:

Singaporean: I need to plan ahead; resolve issues quickly and not let them fester. I will conduct a study, ask for expert advice, plan in advance to avoid problems that will occur. I get really upset when people don't stick to the best plan available.


Kiwi: She'll be right. ....it'll be right as rain.... Do it yourself, mate....get a couple of mates around....will be done in half a day (taken from a few ads). I think that maybe, just maybe what SIFE says about Entrepreneurs applies to Kiwis in general.....

SIFE Waikato:

Kiwis usually have four characteristics:
1. They perform best in times of chaos.
2. They wait until the very last minute to finish projects.
3. They need to have an adrenal rush, like a big opportunity or their backs against the wall, before their creativity kicks into place.
4. They are motivated by goals that seem unreachable.

If you are Kiwi, how do you feel about this description of you? What are the limitations of any description of cultural groups. You might like to do a facebook search of the cultural heritage of every one in your group.


and towards status:

Tongan: At home, there is  the king, the nobles, and the commoners. The Matapule,or "talking chiefs," are associated with the king or a noble and who may or may not hold estates. People respect those with high status and expect them to be responsible and return favours. Even within families, the status given to you is important.

Kiwi: In NZ, we are egalitarian which means we treat everyone the same. You prove yourself before respect is given. Being a good Kiwi bloke is important. Not. ( Non-Kiwi blokes might like to check out http://bofh.ntk.net/KiwiBlokes/index.php)

How would people who are from extreme ends of the spectrum irritate each other? How would Ephesians 4:2 help?

Pray that we look away from ourselves and the smallness of our own understanding, and look up together at Christ and see in him the bread of life; the substance of our hope. The one Being yet three persons which binds each unique individual together until we reflect God's maturing love.

Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

 ¹ As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ³Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

 ⁷ But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. ⁸ This is why it^[a] says:

   “When he ascended on high,
   he took many captives
   and gave gifts to his people.”^[b]

 ⁹ (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions^[c]? ¹⁰ He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) ¹¹ So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

 ¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. ¹⁵ Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Instructions for Christian Living

 ¹⁷ So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. ¹⁹ Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

 ²⁰ That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

 ²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ²⁶ “In your anger do not sin”^[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold. ²⁸ Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

 ²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 5

 ¹ Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children ² and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

 ³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. ⁵For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^[e]

Footnotes:

1. Ephesians 4:8 Or God
2. Ephesians 4:8 Psalm 68:18
3. Ephesians 4:9 Or the depths of the earth
4. Ephesians 4:26 Psalm 4:4 (see Septuagint)
5. Ephesians 5:5 Or kingdom of the Messiah and God

Ephesians 5:6-6:9 Children of light

Many cultures in the world celebrate light festivals. The science of light has fascinated scientist for centuries. Sunlight brings physical life and growth in nature. Spotlights reveal things hidden and focuses attention. Laser lights kill disease. 


In Ephesians, we are called children of light, children of light roaming campuses. Cool.    
     
Ice breaker: Talk about the similarities and differences you have found between high school and university.

1)  Paul gives reasons why we should be holy (5:5-5:10) (Holy living is described as putting on the new self (See study 3) not always something mystical or spectacular)

Future:

Past and present:

2) Read v13-16. What do you think “making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil” means? What responsibilities do you have now which you wouldn’t have if you were not on campus?

3) Read 5:18-20. Do you think singing is a characteristic of believers? Why or why not? What is singing a substitute of ? Which song do you enjoy most at the moment? (Maybe a music appreciation time or singing time should be scheduled instead of bible study next week)


4) Talk about the major contrasts in this section:
light and darkness
wise and unwise
love and immorality
deadened emotions and thanksgiving
filled with wine and filled with the Holy Spirit


Think about it "We are children of light...".

5) What does submitting to one another mean? Give examples of how you could do this.

6) What is your own family unit like? A soap opera? A horror movie? A comedy? A mystery detective show? A boring sitcom? An adventure story? A romance? A tragedy? Explain how your perceptions of your family affect your perceptions of the church family. What is depicted in this picture of Christ and the chuch?

7) Read C5:22-6:9. How would obeying all you have read change your own or another family or working relationship


8) This passage challenges the status of women, children and slaves that was a norm in Biblical times. Has the status of these three groups of people changed much in countries that do not have a Christian tradition?


Pray about it, "we are children of light."

Discussion for a multicultural group
You probably know the difference between the scientific and artistic mind...culturally we talk about dichotomistic or holistic thinking. Lets discuss. Often are things just culturally different or just plain weird?

The kiwi approach to blank spaces........

 

On a more serious note, we end our contemplation of the phrase, "children of light" with Jose Antonio Abreu from Venezuela who started off as an outstanding student in Economics. He rose to become a politician and university lecturer and went on to find El Sistema, a innovative music education method which develops children intellectually and emotionally and improves their social standing. 

⁵For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^[e] 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. ⁷ Therefore do not be partners with them.

 ⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light ⁹(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord. ¹¹ Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³ But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴ This is why it is said:

   “Wake up, sleeper,
   rise from the dead,
   and Christ will shine on you.”

 ¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. ¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Instructions for Christian Households

 ²¹ Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

 ²² Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.²⁴ Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

 ²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her ²⁶to make her holy, cleansing^[a] her by the washing with water through the word, ²⁷ and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. ²⁸ In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— ³⁰ for we are members of his body. ³¹ “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”^[b] 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. ³³ However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Ephesians 6

 ¹ Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³ “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”^[c]

 ⁴ Fathers,^[d] do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

 ⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. ⁶ Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. ⁷ Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, ⁸ because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

 ⁹ And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

Footnotes:

1. Ephesians 5:26 Or having cleansed
2. Ephesians 5:31 Gen. 2:24
3. Ephesians 6:3 Deut. 5:16
4. Ephesians 6:4 Or Parents