And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
Truth to Learn
Bosses are to do their job in a God-honoring way.
Behind the Words
The words “giving up” are from the Greek verb aniēmi. This is made up of ana, meaning “up” or “back” and hiemi, meaning “to send.” Literally, this word means “to send back.” In other words, aniēmi means “to dismiss,” “to let go,” or “to let up.”
“Threatening” is translated from the noun apeilē, which is from the verb apeileō, meaning “to threaten.” Thus, apeilē refers to “a threat.”
“Heaven” is translated from ouranos, meaning “heaven.” There are three places referred to as “heaven” in the Bible: the atmosphere of earth (the first heaven), the starry universe (the second heaven), and that place outside of creation where God’s throne room exists (the third heaven). In today’s verse it is a reference to the third heaven, God’s throne room.
The word “partiality” is from prosōpolēpsia, which is composed of prosōpon, meaning “a face” and a form of lambanō, meaning “to take” or “to receive.” Thus it literally means “to receive a face;” that is, “showing favoritism” or “showing partiality.”
Meaning Explained
The first thing to notice in today’s verse, as Paul talks to Christian bosses, is that he recognizes the need for a hierarchy of authority even in the work force. He doesn’t tell bosses (or slave masters) to quit being a boss and get to work with the workers. And, he doesn’t tell bosses to stop telling the workers what to do. Within the church body we are all equals (we’re all sinners saved by grace), yet we each have a different function. Both within the church and in our secular jobs there are different positions of authority and responsibility.
Paul told us that as God’s slaves we are to do God’s will from the heart (verse six) and to perform our work with good thoughts as if we were working directly for God (verse seven). He also told us that when we do this type of work and do it well, God will do good things for us. God created each of us to do good works; He even determined ahead of time what kind of work we should do. Earlier, in this letter to the Ephesians, Paul said:
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)
Now, he tells bosses the same thing he told workers: do your job as God’s servant and do it for His glory. Do what you were called to do, but don’t abuse your position. Don’t threaten your workers. They are God’s workers just like you are and you are to treat them the same way God treats you. God doesn’t tell us that bosses are more important than workers or that workers are more important than bosses. What he does say, in the seventh chapter of 1Corinthinas, is to be content in whatever job we have. Here he tells us, whether boss or worker, we are do our very best. We are working for God. Let’s give Him the glory.
Application
If you have people working under your direction, this verse is specifically for you. God has placed you in a position of authority, so do your job in a God-honoring way. Guide and oversee your workers, but don’t abuse or threaten them.
In God's service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved