Note 7 at Eph. 6:9: In verses 5-8, Paul had given instructions to servants (employees today-see note 1 at v. 5, p. 1140) on how to serve their masters. Now he tells the masters or employers that they are supposed to do the same things that he had instructed the employees to do. In other words, just as the employees were supposed to be faithful to their employers, so employers are supposed to be faithful to their employees. The employee is supposed to act like he is serving Christ. The employer is supposed to act as if Christ is his employee.

Note 8 at Eph. 6:9: Employers (see note 1 at v. 5, p. 1140) are not supposed to rule by intimidation. The Lord taught us that if we want to be great we need to be the servant (Mt. 20:27). Someone might say, "How can this be? If I served instead of ruled, no one would respect me and therefore no one would obey me. It would never work."

That would be a true statement if there were no God. If God did not intervene in the affairs of men, then the strong would rule the weak. There would be no exceptions. That would be it. But God does exist and He has promised that if we humble ourselves, He will exalt us (1 Pet. 5:6). If we want God's help, the way up is down.

Love is a stronger (1 Cor. 13:8) force than fear (1 Jn. 4:18). It may not be as familiar but it is stronger. Those who do not respond to us through love can be forced to obey through fear but they can not be forced to submit (see note 2 at Eph. 5:22, p. 1133). True submission is something that has to be won through love, not conquered by fear.

Note 9 at Eph. 6:9: According to man's laws, a slave is the property of his master. The master can do anything with him that he wants. But Paul reminds the masters in this verse that they have a master who holds them accountable for the way they treat their slaves. And our Heavenly Master will not bend His judgment for anyone.

Likewise today, someone may be in a position of authority which he thinks entitles him to treat others however he pleases. But we need to remember that every one of us has someone over us, i.e. God. And He will reward us based on how we reward those under our authority (Jas. 2:13).