Ephesians 6:7-8

6:7

Serve – supply, provide the other’s needs and/or wants

wholeheartedly – sincerely, gratefully, without resentment, focused on the task at hand instead of distractions

as if – imagine this…

you were serving the Lord – picture Christ sitting where my boss is. If that were Christ in the corner office, how would I behave?

not men – There is a sense in which my physical employment is in fact service to the Lord rather than to men. On the one hand, the others know my claim of following Christ. So how I behave at work reflects on Him. At the same time, this is the task God has placed before me at this time. By doing it well for my earthly master, I am also pleasing my heavenly Master.

6:8

because – reason for the foregoing

you know that – this was part of the common catechism, which is why Paul could assume that they already knew this

the Lord – heavenly Boss, Master

will reward – some branches of modern Christianity have so emphasized free salvation that they have forgotten or neglected that God has a plan of rewards as well. And rewards require some measure of effort or performance. As I teach and as I live, I must keep both principles in balance: Salvation is free; performance brings reward.

everyone – only followers of Christ? Or everyone who does good?

for whatever good he does – I have to leave the previous questions alone and let God take care of that issue. My application is: What good have I done? What good will I do today? What good can I do in the coming days?

whether – conditional connector

he is slave or free – no matter my status in the eyes of society