Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Ephesians 6:8

"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)

Even though Christian slaves will not bank on any material reward, they can be assured of eternal gain (cf. Colossians 3:24). This is something they fully appreciate because of the catechetical instruction they have been given; it is from the Lord himself that each one will receive back the equivalent of whatever good he or she has done. This principle applies to both the slave and the master. The future tense looks forward to the final judgment when this compensation will be awarded. Like Jesus, Paul does not shrink from referring to rewards (Matthew 5:12), for they are all of grace. They are undeserved, since a Christian’s goodness is simply what God has enabled that person to do.