EPHESIANS 6:7-9 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 your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
Goodwill; Good will" (eu, "well," nous, "the mind"), is rendered "benevolence" in 1 Corinthians 7:3, AV. The RV, following the texts which have opheilen ("due"), has "her due," a more comprehensive expression; in Ephesians 6:7, "good will." The word used here is translated goodwill, but the Greek word is the word for benevolence, εὔνοια eunoia. Vine's (def prime), Strong's G2133.
Service; "To serve as a doulos". Thayer expands - Thayer:
1) to be a slave, serve, do service
1a) of a nation in subjection to other nations
2) metaph. to obey, submit to
2a) in a good sense, to yield obedience
2b) in a bad sense, of those who become slaves to some base power, to yield to, give one's self up to.
In this instance, it would be unto the Lord Jesus Christ in a good sense. The Greek word for serve is δουλεύω douleuo. Vine's (def 2), Strong's G1398.
Moving to Verse 8.
Good; The neuter of the adjective with the definite article signifies that which is "good," lit., "the good," as being morally honorable, pleasing to God, and therefore beneficial. Christians are to prove it, (here, the neuter plural is used, "the good things"); to work it. Also, see this study under "Good". The Greek word for good is ἀγαθός agathos. Vine's (def A1), Strong's G18.
He Will Recieve The Same; Refers to future rewards (Col. 3:23-25) NSB* "to receive back, recover," Matthew 25:27; Hebrews 11:19; metaphorically, of requital, 2 Corinthians 5:10; Colossians 3:25, of "receiving back again" by the believer at the Judgment-Seat of Christ hereafter, for wrong done in this life;
The Greek word for receive is komizo. Vine's (def A16b), Strong's G2865.
Romans 2:6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds”:
Slave Or Free; Here "free" is used in a civil sense, or not in bondage as a slave. Likewise, a slave in this text simply means "a body", someone in bondage physically. NSB* See NSB notes here.
Moving to Verse 9.
Masters; See NSB notes here. Christian masters should not use threatening language to their servants but should remember that they too are servants of a much higher master in heaven, who is completely fair. NSB*.
Threatening; is used in the negative sense here according to the NSB and is likely referring to verbal threats in this text. akin to apeileo (See above), occurs in Acts 4:29 (in some mss. Acts 4:17); Acts 9:1; Ephesians 6:9. The Greek word is ἀπειλή apeile. Vine's (def prime), Strong's G547. Strong's defines this as "a menace". God is saying we should not menace those who are under us through Paul.
Master; Same as above, "Masters", only it is used of Christ. The separation and fullness of Jesus Christ as master is developed in Ps.34:8, 1 Pet 2:3, Isa 8:13.
Is In Heaven; the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel (Christianity) Derivation: perhaps from the same as G3735 (through the idea of elevation); The Greek word for heaven is ouranos οὐρανός. Vine's (def 1), Strong's G3772. Dodson expands: the sky, the heaven; heaven, (a) the visible heavens: the atmosphere, the sky, the starry heavens, (b) the spiritual heavens. Also, see this study under "heavenly places".
1 Peter 2:3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
Isaiah 8:13 The Lord of hosts, Him you shall hallow; Let Him be your fear, And let Him be your dread.
No Partiality: My Notes - Implies that God does not judge with favoritism like men do. God does not make divisions other than that of being a father to those in Christ. Every man is treated according to God's own perfect will. ie. (believers obviously don't endure hell as non-believers would, there for it is in your favor and it is in favor of those who would receive Him).
Takeaways -
1. It should be noted that while God is not reigning on earth, He is most certainly in charge and He is most certainly master of all. Everyone will answer to Him one day and give an account for deeds done in the body (physically or in thought) and be either rewarded or suffer loss for those things when we come to face to face with God and He assesses our lives. This it the judgment or bema-seat of Christ, not the Great White Throne. If you see that it's too late.
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
2. If we are in charge of anyone we do not want to threaten them.
*Nelson Study Bible.
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