Albert Barnes Commentary Ephesians 6:8
Albert Barnes Commentary
Ephesians 6:8
Albert Barnes Commentary
Ephesians 6:8
SCRIPTURE
"knowing that whatsoever good thing each one doeth, the same shall he receive again from the Lord, whether [he be] bond or free." — Ephesians 6:8 (ASV)
Knowing that whatsoever good thing. Whatever a man does that is right, he will be appropriately rewarded for that. No matter what his rank in life, if he discharges his duty to God and man, he will be accepted. A man in a state of servitude may live in such a way as to honor God; and, living so, he should not be greatly concerned about his condition.
A master may fail to provide suitable recompense to a slave; but, if the servant is faithful to God, God will recompense him in the future world. It is in this way that religion would make the evils of life tolerable, by teaching those who are oppressed to bear their trials with a patient spirit and to look forward to the future world of reward. Religion does not approve of slavery.
It is the friend of human rights. If it had full influence on earth, it would restore every man to freedom and give to each one his rights. Christianity nowhere requires its adherents to make or own a slave. No one under the proper influence of religion ever made a man a slave; there is no one under its proper influence who would not desire that all should be free. And to the extent that true religion spreads over the world, universal freedom will accompany it.
But Christianity would lighten the evils of slavery even while it exists. It would also comfort those who are doomed to such a hard lot by assuring them that in their situation they may render acceptable service to God, and that they soon will be admitted to a world where galling servitude will be known no more.
If they cannot have freedom here, they may have contentment. If they feel that wrong is done to them by men, they may feel that right will be done to them by God. If their masters do not reward them for their services here, God will. And if they cannot enjoy liberty here, they will soon be received into the world of perfect freedom—heaven.