Employers and Employees: What Is the Word of God to You?

In this week’s podcast, the book of Ephesians chapter six brings us to the subject of employers and employees and their conduct towards one another. Any organization worth its salt supplies a job description for its employees. A well-written job description allows the employee to know exactly what kind of work his employer is expecting from him. This crucial document of communication is a handy tool to have around when memories begin to fade from initial agreements. In the same sense, God has given each believer a job description. Believers should: grow in love, study to be quiet, do their own business, and work with their own hands – 1 Thessalonians 4:9–12. This prescription, written down by the Apostle Paul centuries ago, works for every occupation.¹ What we need to do is bring this concept over into the workplace. Employers and employees, what is the Word of God to you, that’s our focus on this week’s Light on Life.

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Each week’s podcast contains a call to action. The Word of God will not produce in your life unless you put it into operation.
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Employees are to submit to their employers at work. This is God’s order and it is right and true.

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Testimony is vital to a believer’s life. We overcome by it (Rev. 12:11). Each week’s podcast also contains a question designed to encourage testimony.
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Question: How has your work life changed since you have practiced God’s divine order for the job? Share your story in the comments section below.

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We are currently teaching in the book of Ephesians. You can click on the links below to listen to some of these podcasts.

About Emery

Emery committed his life to the Lord Jesus Christ over 45 years ago and has served as both a full-time pastor and an itinerant minister. He and his wife Sharon of 40 years emphasize personal growth and development through the Word of God. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is the focus and the hallmark of their mission. Read more about them here.

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Podcast Notes

Employers and Employees: The Gospel of Jesus in the WorkPlace

So in this podcast, we are looking at Paul’s admonition to the church at Ephesus about the workplace — employers and employees are the topic.
Again, just to review, we know that the first three chapters of Ephesians dealt with our position in Christ Jesus — what we have because of Jesus.
We know that we have an inheritance from God – the Holy Spirit is the initial installment of glorious things to come.
The Holy Spirit let us know that we have been seated in heavenly places with Christ and that we have authority because of the body.
In chapters four through six, we see how these spiritual realities are to be infused into everyday life.
One way it comes is by being filled continually with the Holy Spirit.
Part of that reality is that we voluntarily submit to one another in love.
This infectious love of God now makes its way into the workplace.

Ephesians 6:5–9 (ESV): – 5 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. 9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

Bondservants were, in many cases, the first-century version of employees.
Let me just clarify — bondservants were slaves.
Their relationships with their masters make for the employer—employee dynamic found in the early church.
So, the directives that we are going to see in the scriptures that we will read, will show what employees’ responsibilities are to their employers.
Being a bondservant was a job and in some cases a well-paying job.
Of course, there was the abusive slave owner as well.

1 Peter 2:18 (ESV): — Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.

The word ‘unjust’ in Greek means to be crooked or harsh.
So, even with a harsh or unfair employer, we are to be subject according to the Bible.
The word ‘subject’ means to cause to be in a submissive relationship, to subject, to subordinate²
Another way of saying this is found in 1 Corinthians thirteen.
I’m reading this out of the Amplified.

1 Corinthians 13:4–8 (AMP): Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end].

Unjust masters was not the norm.

Slaves and servants generally were too valuable to their masters—as employees today are to employers³.
Let’s get back to the text.

Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ,

The Greek word for bondservants is the word ‘doulos.’
And, with that thought, here is the Definition of the Day.
The word means to be under someone’s total control.
It describes a male slave as an entity in a socioeconomic context.
So, we have bondservants or slaves, and masters or owners.
Let’s look at the possible combinations that would have existed when the church began in the first century.
There could be born-again Holy Ghost-filled masters with unsaved bondservants.
Or, there could be unsaved masters and born-again bondservants.
That’s 1 Peter 2:18 that we already looked at.
Of course, there could be the case of saved master and saved bondservants — everybody in the whole place knows Jesus.
And, that’s what we have here in this passage in Ephesians — born again, Holy Ghost-filled slaves in verse five, and Holy Ghost-filled Masters in verse nine.
Paul is talking to both of them.
Notice that the Apostle of God to the Gentiles is not taking issue with the idea of slavery.
Now, we have to ask the question, why not?
With that thought, here is the Historical Background of the Day.

The author [Paul] urges slaves then to continue to be submissive and obedient in all matters in which they can, in part to give assurance that the Christian movement is not subversive of the backbone of the Roman imperial economy—namely, slavery—and in part to gain the necessary favor from their masters to participate in the Christian movement.⁴

Slavery was the economic backbone of the Roman Empire.
That’s what we must understand.
Slaves outnumbered free people.
During this time, there were 60 million slaves in the Roman Empire.⁵
Slavery was an institution that was on the scene at the time Jesus came to earth.
To speak against it would have brought the Roman military down on believers, and non-believers.
There was already rioting over the loss of revenues from the trafficking of idol statues.
As people were giving their hearts to God, they were turning away from idols.
You know you couldn’t just walk into the Roman Coliseum and say,

‘Give me the microphone, I have an announcement to make today. Jesus has risen from the dead — all of you need to give your heart to God right now. And while we are at it, slavery is wrong — all of you are out of order — you need to let all the slaves go free right now.’

What do you think would have happened?
They would have fed him to the lions, man.
On top of that, if sixty million people all of a sudden become freemen, where do they find employment?
Where do they find the necessities of life?
How do they support themselves and their families?
There is no unemployment check to file for in the first century.
As bondsmen, though they had access to life’s essentials — food, shelter, and clothing.
Without these things that everyone needs, massive numbers of people would probably starve to death, froze to death, or just plain die – being a bondservant was a job.
When you think about the concept of slavery — don’t think of the American version of that — that was the heinous model from the Civil War.
People object when they hear the term slavery, because of how our nation went about this a couple of hundred years ago.
They insert that negative image into the scriptures and they either feel that Paul should have just preached on abolishing slavery or wonder why he didn’t.
So, now, at least you know why he didn’t.

Employers and Employees: The Answer to Slavery

The ultimate answer to slavery is found in the very thing Paul is preaching — the New Birth.
Slaveries solution is the love of God.
The principles of freedom, the seed to real physical liberty for all men is in Paul – it’s in those Ephesians believers.
It’s in the Galatian believers — it’s in all believers because it’s in Christ.
The love of God is in these men and women.
Remember that Christianity in the first century is just getting started.
On the day of Pentecost, 3000 believers got saved.
A few days later, another 5000 experienced the New Birth.

Romans 5:5 (ESV): — 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

So, the love of God like the tentacles of an octopus is working its way through society.
It’s impacting the neighbor next door, the person they meet at the marketplace, and the relative that comes over on a holiday.
The love of God is active and energized and is working — the principles of freedom are slowly percolating in the spirits of men.
First Corinthians thirteen verses four through eight is seeping its way into the economic situation of that day.
Along this line, I heard a story about an individual who didn’t want to give their heart to Jesus because they liked to engage in worldly dances.
The wise person who witnessed to them said, ‘Don’t worry about that – give your heart to Jesus and then dance all you want to.’
This unbeliever took him up on this and accepted Jesus as Lord.
Later on, he came back to the man who witnessed to him and said, ‘I understand what you mean when you told me ‘dance all you want to’ — the want to is gone!’
People were getting saved and what do think was happening to the ‘want to for slavery?’
Those walls are slowly deteriorating in the Roman Empire.
And, I say it that way — slowly — because the devil is the devil.
He hates people — he wants them to be oppressed and held down.
Satan doesn’t want the creativity of God coming through man.
So, what does he do? – he spins this bondservant piece of the first century off into another form — it’s called human trafficking.
But, this utterly despicable form of slavery is not that’s not quite how it was in every case in the first century.
Some who worked in households did quite well.
Some people owed debts and they repaid those debts with their labor.
Many people who were slaves were just on the losing side of a war.
Many were semi-free and worked as serfs on state and temple estates, or as domestic slaves in wealthier households.⁶

In the Graeco-Roman world, owning slaves was not limited to the rich; many households included at least one slave. The Greeks and Romans both employed a system in which slaves could own property, earn money, and buy their freedom.⁷

So, you see it wasn’t the same thing as this oppressive thing that you see in the States in the 19th century.
Though you must remember, there are always selfish, mean-spirited people on planet earth.

Instructions to Employers and Employees in the Epistles

This economic situation — bondservants and masters — or slavery is referenced in many Bible verses in the New Testament.
It was the course of the day.
Let’s take a look at another epistle or letter that Paul wrote, the one to the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 7:21–24 (ESV): Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

So, you see Paul was working within the system to change the system.
Here’s another letter written to Timothy, Paul’s young son in the faith.

1 Timothy 6:1–2 (ESV) — Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. 2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things.

Another letter is the one addressed to Titus — you see the same theme being expressed.

Titus 2:9–10 (ESV) — 9 Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

The whole book of Philemon is about a slave, Onesimus, who gives his heart to Jesus and runs away from his Master.
What does Paul do with this runaway slave?
Paul sends him back to Philemon.
Philemon is a saved man.

Philemon 10–15 (ESV): — 10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. 15 For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it— to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you

Paul was interceding for Onesimus because he knew what could happen to a runaway slave.

‘Runaways were regularly punished with death; crucifixion (“to discourage the others,” of course) was common in such cases. Harboring or helping a runaway was also a serious crime.’⁸

Here is yet another letter – one postmarked for the Colossians.

Colossians 3:22 (ESV) – 22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.

Move over to chapter four.

Colossians 4:1 (ESV): – 1 Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

So, this subject of how employers and employees should co-exist is covered quite a bit in the New Testament.
Now, it’s not just all Paul.
Peter got into it as well.

1 Peter 2:18–25 (ESV): 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

How Should an Employee Serve an Employer?

So, that’s the background.
And with that foundation laid let’s get to this employer-employee relationship.
Take the principles you read here and upload them into the 21st century.
Let’s get to it.

How Should an Employee Serve an Employer?

How should an employee serve an employer?

Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ,

With Fear and Trembling

Employees should work with an attitude of fear and trembling.
What is that?
This is not rattlesnake fear nor is it a terror kind of Halloween fear.
This fear and trembling is reverential respect.
The New Jerusalem Bible translates ‘fear and trembling’ as ‘deep reverential respect.’
Showing respect is always right.
How do we know this?
Well, Paul uses this same phrase about himself to describe his conduct and disposition among the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 2:3–5 (ESV): And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

The Corinthians themselves sported this trait.

2 Corinthians 7:14–16 (ESV): 14 For whatever boasts I made to him about you, I was not put to shame. But just as everything we said to you was true, so also our boasting before Titus has proved true. 15 And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling. 16 I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you.

It is an attitude that all must maintain.

Philippians 2:12–13 (ESV): 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

It’s how each believer works out his salvation.
We have run out of time here.
Lord willing, we will pick this up in next week’s podcast.

Now Father God in the Name of Jesus, thank you so much for the principles of freedom that are in the gospel of your Son Jesus. He that Son sets free is free indeed. Help us today to be shinning witnesses of all that Jesus is — of all that you are. We thank you for the Spirit of God who comes along side to empower us to be all that we should be. We thank you for these things in Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.

Have a great God and we will see you next time for another edition of Light on Life.

#S4-001: What Does Priorities in the Kingdom of God Look Like? [Podcast]

__________
References:

Leadership Ministries Worldwide, Practical Illustrations: 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 2003), 130. ↩
William Arndt, Frederick W. Danker, and Walter Bauer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 1042. ↩
Mark Littleton, Discipleship Journal August/September 1985 ↩
David A. deSilva, NT201 The Cultural World of the New Testament, Logos Mobile Education (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2015). ↩
Barclay’s Commentary – Galatians, Ephesians ↩
Lexham Bible Dictionary ↩
Ibid ↩
Wright, N. T.. Paul (p. 279). HarperOne. Kindle Edition. ↩

emeryhorvath.com

Equipping people to pursue God's glory

Employers and Employees: What Is the Word of God to You?

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode Four

by Emery Horvath

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Click to Listen | Right Click to Download |Subscribe in PlayerFM

Read the Notes

Accept the Challenge

Join the Conversation

Episode Resources:

We are currently teaching in the book of Ephesians. You can click on the links below to listen to some of these podcasts.

About Emery

Subscribe to the Podcast

Share the Love

Podcast Notes

Employers and Employees: The Gospel of Jesus in the WorkPlace

Employers and Employees: The Answer to Slavery

Instructions to Employers and Employees in the Epistles

How Should an Employee Serve an Employer?

How Should an Employee Serve an Employer?

With Fear and Trembling

Listen to the Audio

Click to Listen | Right Click to Download |Subscribe in PlayerFM

Read the Notes

Accept the Challenge

Join the Conversation

Episode Resources:

We are currently teaching in the book of Ephesians. You can click on the links below to listen to some of these podcasts.

About Emery

Subscribe to the Podcast

Share the Love

Podcast Notes

Employers and Employees: The Gospel of Jesus in the WorkPlace

Employers and Employees: The Answer to Slavery

Instructions to Employers and Employees in the Epistles

How Should an Employee Serve an Employer?

How Should an Employee Serve an Employer?

With Fear and Trembling

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