How Should Christians Look at Power in Authority?

We believe that every person can understand the Bible, because it adheres to the normal laws of written language. Every believer also has the Holy Spirit living inside them, helping them not only to understand but to accept the Bible as true.

Ephesians 6:5-9 can be a difficult passage for our modern mindset, with its instructions to masters and slaves. Some context may help.

Historical and Biblical Context

Paul wasn't talking to slaves who were enslaved because of their skin color or ethnic origin.

The Bible clearly condemns kidnapping and separating families.

First-century Roman slavery could be entered into voluntarily and even brought certain benefits, such as access to jobs, citizenship, and avoiding taxation. See 1 Corinthians 7:20-23.

The Old Testament set clear and humane boundaries around the practice of slavery and always described slaves as humans.

Paul emphasized spiritual unity, not distance between individual Christians, describing them as "brothers and sisters" whatever their status in society. See Galatians 3:27-28 and 1 Timothy 6:1-2.

The Greek word "kurios" means lord, sir, or master. It can refer to human or divine lords. The word "doulos" means servant or slave. Paul instructs slaves to acknowledge the authority of their human masters and obey them. Though this is not an equal situation to an employee-employer relationship, which today enjoys certain protections from the law, the principles can still be applied to that arena.

Christ is our master, though He also ordains human masters. (vv. 5-8)

As Christians, we were bought with Christ's blood and belong to Him (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and 7:22). This means we take orders from and answer to Christ above all others.

God is the one who ordains what human authorities we live under. We are responsible to obey them "as to the Lord." This is easier to do when we are under a good authority; it is noticeably harder when we are unappreciated or treated unfairly or we think our leader isn't competent. In these situations, we must honor the position or rank even if we do not respect the person. We live for a higher good, and that is seeking God's favor (1 Peter 2:18-19).

Servants must honor and obey those they serve. (vv. 5-8)

For those under authority, the responsibility in these verses is clear: to obey and "render service" to their masters (unless a command goes against God's will). This should not motivated by pleasing people. It should be done with respect and sincerity of heart. We are even offered an incentive: God will reward our obedience. This is the ultimate outcome of our service, which should impact the mindset we have in our work.

God is not bound by human power dynamics. (v. 9)

The change of heart that God works in salvation will change how we view and use authority. Paul's letter to Philemon is a great example of this. He could have punished his slave severely for running away, but Paul encouraged him to accept Onesimus as a new brother in Christ instead.

Every human being and human institution is prone to partiality; but no one gets a special seat with God.