Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.
Ephesians 6:5-8 New International Version (NIV)
Slaves played a significant part in this society. When Paul wrote this letter, the Roman Empire had several million slaves. Because many slaves and owners had become Christians, the early church had to deal straightforwardly with the question of master-slave relations. Paul’s statement neither condemns nor condones slavery. Instead, it tells masters and slaves how to live together in Christian households. In Paul’s day, women, children and slaves had few rights. In the church, however, they had freedoms that society was denying them. Paul tells husband, parents, and masters to be caring.
Life Application Bible (footnote 6:5)
And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
Ephesians 6:9 (NIV)
God knows that In all we do, we need to serve wholeheartedly, as if we were serving the Lord. Because that’s exactly what we are doing.