Note 1 at Eph. 6:5: Verses 5-9 are speaking of a master/servant relationship. We could interpret this in the twentieth century by speaking of labor and management. In a modern paraphrase we could say, "Give your employer your very best work. Don't just work hard when he is around but do your work as unto Christ. Remember whatever good thing we do, God will repay us. And employers treat your employees right, for we all have the same Master in heaven and there is no partiality with Him."

Note 2 at Eph. 6:5: It is very important to notice what Paul said and did not say about slavery in these verses. He did give instructions on master and slave relationships. He did not say anything against the practice of slavery. This is not an endorsement for slavery (see note 6 at 1 Cor. 7:21, p. 894), but it shows that Paul's emphasis was not on social issues.

Paul certainly had enough influence to limit or possibly outlaw slavery among the believers, but he never took that approach. Paul dealt with matters of the heart. As hearts change, societies change. But trying to bring change to society without changing the hearts of people is how revolutions and wars happen.