Children and Parents6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” 4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.Bondservants and Masters5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. 9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that [a]your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
Walking in Obedience (V 6:1-9)
Setting the Stage:
Paul just concluded his teachings on walking in love, walking in light and walking in wisdom and he called the believers to apply these principles in marriage. Wives are to submit to their husbands as to the Lord and Husbands are to love their wives as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her. Now Paul is extending this instruction to walk in obedience to children, parents, bondservants and masters.Historians have estimated that at the time Paul wrote these words, there may have been around six million slaves in the Roman Empire. They were farmers, educators, nannies, shopkeepers and sanitation workers. Paul realized that many of these slaves were coming into faith and they experience all kinds of treatment from all kinds of masters. Some of them were cruel and some others were kind. Some of the masters were fellow Christians and some others were against Christian faith. Pul’s instructions apply to all these workforces and to us even today.
Walk in Obedience ( V 1-9)
Children and Parents (V 1-4)
1. What are the implications of the promise that honoring parents allows a child to “be well” and “live long on the earth”? (V 1-3)
Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
Outward prosperity and long life are blessings promised to those who keep this commandment.
Though they are temporal benefits, they will be eternally rewarded as obeying the Gospel has temporal and spiritual benefits.
2. What is considered as the duty of the parents? (V 4)
When you caution them, when you counsel them, when you reprove them, do it in such a manner as not to provoke them to wrath.
Deal prudently and wisely with them
Bring them up, nurture them, admonish them, discipline them with compassionate correction
Not only bringing up them physically, also intellectually as we all spiritually.
Bondservants and Masters (V 5-8)
It would have been difficult for Paul to experience a world without bondservants. Bondservants were essential for the functioning of the society. But in today’s context, this teaching can be very well applied to employers and employees.
3. How are employees to conduct themselves? (V 5-8)
be obedient – be in cooperation
with fear and trembling – by giving respect and honor
Romans 13:1-2 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers – not to please, but by being responsible in duty
but as bondservants of Christ – as if we are serving Christ
with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men – whatever we do, our attitude is important
Colossians 3:22-24 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
4. Why must our work as believers be held to such a high standard? (V 7)
Our faith is not only in words, but also in action
Faith without works is a dead faith
We are called to set examples
If we are faithful in littleMatthew 25:23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.
Application:
1. What are some practical ways to show obedience to those who are in authority over you?2. What are some practical ways that you can show respect to those who report to you?
