Respecting the Boss

“Let all who are under the yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled” (1Tim 6:1).

At some point, just about all of us have had a bad boss. Our manager may never rival Miranda from “The Devil Wears Prada.” They may not be as inherently evil as  Montgomery Burns of “The Simpsons.” It explains the twisted popularity of “The Office” and Dunder Mifflin Regional Manager Michael Scott. Do you remember Scott’s famous philosophy of leadership? “Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy, both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me.”

It’s no surprise that horrible bosses are nothing new. They’ve probably been around since the very first prehistoric performance review. That’s why Paul gives Pastor Tim specific instructions for folks with both good and bad bosses in first century Ephesus. “Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled” (v1). A closer look at this verse shows us that submitting and supporting your supervisor is a great way to serve our Savior.

Don’t forget the whole reason Paul is writing to his protege Timothy. Around 64 A.D., the apostle was working to get the Ephesian megachurch back on track when he had to make a road trip to Macedonia. He hands Tim the keys as lead pastor and gives him instructions to continue straightening out the mess (1Tim 1:3). A crew of false teachers wormed their way into church leadership and sidetracked believers from the main thing of following Jesus with a combo of wacky myths, bottomless family histories, vicious lies, and downright demonic doctrine (1Tim 1:4-7; 4:1-2). 

Chances are their teaching not only did serious damage within the church but in the workplace as well. It doesn’t take much to imagine that their message stoked the fires of hatred on the job. Why else would Paul include these distinct and definite directions for how we deal with our boss? If it wasn’t a problem, why is it in here? What a powerful reminder this is to pastors, preachers, teachers, elders, and all spiritual leaders. What we teach has an impact on how folks are shining God’s light and spreading His salt the other six days of the week. 

After a discussion of God’s view of leadership (1Tim 3:1-13; 5:17-25), Gospel style assisted living (1Tim 5:3-16), and personal instruction on the role of pastor/teacher (1Tim 3:14-4:15), Paul goes out of his way to talk to Tim about the working stiffs in the Ephesian church, or as he calls them, “all who are under a yoke as bondservants” (v1). What just a New York minute. What does all this talk of yokes and bondservants in the first century have to do with grinding out the 9 to 5 in some cube farm? Absolutely everything. Because submitting and supporting your supervisor is a great way to serve our Savior.

Let’s be honest. Most of us have never seen a yoke, much less worn one. The word here is zugos, which describes a bar of wood joining the necks of two draft animals to enable more effective pulling of heavy equipment. Picture the Clydesdales hauling the beer wagon. Writers of the New Testament only use it as a figure of speech meaning a burden, bondage, or overly complicated rules and regs. I guess you could say that each April when you attempt to file your taxes, the yoke’s on you. Okay, maybe not.

Jesus used this term to describe the incredibly difference between trying to save myself from through performance and trusting in what He has done for me. “Take My yoke (Gr. zugos) upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke (Gr. zugos) is easy, and My burden is light” (Mt 11:29-30). When Galatian believers began trying to earn God’s favor by following rules, Paul warns them, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke (Gr. zugos) of slavery” (Gal 5:1). Once Jesus lightens our load, the last thing we should do is pick it again!

Being “under a yoke” is a metaphor in the NT for a slave. Just in case you may have missed who he’s talking about here, Paul calls them “bondservants” (v1). He uses a Greek word (Gr. doulos) which in very simple terms is a job description. It’s one who serves the will of another. Basically, he’s talking about a slave. We need to get something on the table right from the get-go. This form of slavery significantly different from the horrible history of the American South.

We need to understand that the Greco-Roman economy revolved around slavery. Historians have a hard time getting their hands on numbers, but some people estimate that slaves made up 30-40% of the population of Italy around the time of Jesus’ birth. It was NOT based on race but often on economic status. People would voluntarily serve someone else as a way to work off a debt. 

While some slaves were blue collar and did backbreaking physical labor. At the other end of the slave spectrum were butlers, teachers, doctors, and lawyers. Paul’s traveling buddy Dr. Luke may fit this description. The apostle wrote a personal note to his good friend Philemon after bumping into his runaway servant Onesimus in Rome (Phm 10-16). There’s a good chance that their owners provided these sorts of slaves with food, clothing, and a place to stay. 

Don’t miss the fact that the King of Kings willingly rolled up His supernatural sleeves to become the Servant of Servants. Jesus got up off the throne of heaven in order to come to our rescue. He “emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant (Gr. doulos)” (Phil 2:7). Christ made it clear that He “came not to be served but to serve” (Mt 20:28; Mk 10:45). The night before He died, our Savior washed the grimy feet of His posse as a humble example for us of how we should willingly serve others (Jn 13:1-17). 

There is a parallel to Greco-Roman slavery for those of us living in the 21st century. Quite simply, Paul is talking about people who go to work. Employees. Salary, hourly, or commission, it doesn’t matter. Dayside or nightshift. Part time or full time. Blue collar or white collar. Stay-at-home mom or telecommuting dad. Even if you’re a self-employed entrepreneur, you have a responsibility to your customers and clients. The CEO answers to the board. Presidents report to the stockholders. If you work for a living, you work for somebody. On some level, just about every one of us is a bondservant in this sense of the word.

Each working stiff is to “regard their own masters as worthy of all honor” (v1). Paul uses a verb here (Gr. hegomai) you can translate a couple of different ways. A lot of times it means to weigh the facts, count, and consider something (Phil 2:3, 6, 25; 3:7, 8). But it can also describe having authority or influence, possessing the ability to make a authoritative decision, or govern something or someone. The writer of Hebrews encourages his readers always “remember those who rule over (Gr. hegomai) you” (Heb 13:7 NKJV) and “obey those who rule over (Gr. hegomai) you” (Heb 13:17 NKJV).

No matter where you fit in the org chart as an employee, you always have authority over who you respect. If you’re the boss of anything, it’s your own actions. You’re the one who decides who is worthy of your recognition. You lead, guide, and direct the respect you give. You have that kind of influence. You possess that sort of power. That being the case, every follower of Jesus is to “regard their own masters as worthy of all honor” (v1). In other words, submitting and supporting your supervisor is a great way to serve our Savior.

Don’t miss a couple of important points Paul makes here. First of all, the recipient of our respect is to be our “own masters” (v1). It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have a high opinion of other supervisors. But it does mean to realize who’s MY boss. Ultimately, I’m working for Jesus, something the apostle has already told Ephesian believers in a previous letter (Eph 6:5-8). The focus of my regard is my own manager. 

Second, our supervisor should receive “all honor” (v1). Not some. Not half. Not most. ALL honor. Don’t hold back. Remember, you have control over this. Notice that the apostle doesn’t say, “Once your boss deserves your best, give them your best.” Christ’s call on each on of His followers is to respect our bosses no matter what. Remember, submitting and supporting your supervisor is a great way to serve our Savior.

Whether you’re a good worker or not goes a lot farther than your next performance review or job reference. A big part of honoring my boss is “so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled” (v1). In other words, how well we work reflects on the One we worship. Do you realize that when claim to follow Christ, your coworkers and customers keep their eyes on you? When we’re slackers or have a bad attitude, it negatively impacts how others see God and His Gospel.

This is a HUGE reminder that our work is worship. What?!? Worship? How can THAT be worship? Where’s the band? Where are the words on the screen? Where’s my favorite Chris Tomlin tune? Yup, our work is an expression of our love for Jesus. In a letter to the Colossians, Paul tells working folks that “whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Col 3:23). You don’t need a worship leader. You don’t need a guitar. You don’t need a seminary degree. Sometimes all you need to worship is a job to do and to do it well. 

So if a first century bondservant is to give all of his honor to his master, don’t you think a 21st century employee should respect his or her boss? If so, here’s where the rubber meets the road. Do you respond immediately and enthusiastically when told what to do at work? Do you smile to your supervisor’s face but grumble behind their back? Do you roll your eyes and push back when given your next assignment? Does your manager feel like their inconveniencing you by asking you to do your job? Are you a self-starter? Do you need constant supervision? Listen, I hate typing these questions as much as you hate reading them!

Christ calls us to respect our bosses whether they’ve earned it or not. We’re to honor our manager whether they are followers of Jesus or not. A huge part of being a follower of Jesus is properly submitting to authority. And that includes the workplace. ESPECIALLY the workplace! Remember, submitting and supporting your supervisor is a great way to serve our Savior.

Sticky Fingers and Sticky Faith

“not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (Titus 2:10)

I love how my wife decorates our home. She would never consider herself any sort of interior designer, but she’s got a very special touch. Deb’s decorating signature includes lots of pictures. Lots of family pictures. They’re everywhere throughout our house. She adorns our home with snapshots of kids and grandkids, parents and grandparents. Paul tells Titus that we decorate what we believe about God by how we work. He said that bondservants do this by “not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (Titus 2:10). In other words, we shouldn’t have sticky fingers but a sticky faith.

Paul is in the middle of telling his man Titus how and what to teach new believers on the island of Crete about what it means to follow Jesus (Titus 2:1-10). Older dudes teaching younger dudes (Titus 2:2, 6). Older ladies teaching younger ladies (Titus 2:3-5). He wraps this section up with instructions to bondservants. These are slaves and indentured servants who have placed their faith in the resurrected Rabbi from Nazareth. A modern application for this would be for every one who works for a living. Every employee should willingly obey their supervisor, work to put a smile on the boss’ face, and not complain and whine about what they have to do (Titus 2:9). The apostle goes on to say that how we work says a lot about what we believe about Jesus.

First of all, a good employee shouldn’t steal, or as Paul writes “not pilfering” (v10). This is the Greek verb nosphizomai, which literally means to separate. If it belongs to the company, it stays there. It this particular sense, it describes embezzling, misappropriation, stealing, and secretly taking stuff for your own use that doesn’t belong to you. Dr. Luke uses this same verb when writing about those early church embezzlers Ananias and Sapphira. This couple sold some real estate and then lied to say they were giving all the proceeds of the sale to God. They “kept back (Gr. nosphizomai)” some portion of profit for themselves (Acts 5:2-3). It’s not that they didn’t give all of the profits to support the new church. Their sin was lying and secretly skimming off the top. 

Don’t embezzle. Do we really need to tell you that? Apparently Paul thinks so. But this is so much more than some white collar crime to misappropriate thousands of dollars from the company coffers. This isn’t about the amount but the sin behind it. Don’t sneak stuff out of the supply closet. Don’t juggle the numbers on your expense report so that you actually make out like a bandit. Don’t steal time by goofing off when you should be working. Every one of these are examples of how each one of us skims from the top. Sticky fingers are a sign that what you and I were taught didn’t stick.

We’re called to be “showing all good faith” when we’re at work. This has a couple of very important aspects. First of all, a follower of Jesus should be faithful and steadfast in their work. We don’t give up when things get tough. We must stick to a project until it’s complete. Our Savior is the ultimate example of powering through in the most difficult circumstances. Aren’t you glad He didn’t give up when it got hard? The other implication is that there should be absolutely no separation between our work life and our faith in Jesus. I haven’t just given Him my Sunday mornings. He’s my Lord 24/7/365. That clearly includes when I’m on the job. My trust in Christ should have a tremendous impact on how I work. It becomes obvious to folks around me at work that what I’ve learned about my faith has stuck.

The Apostle Paul then tells us the reason why first century bondservants and 21st century employees should shine at work. “So that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (v10). A closer look at the original language reveals the verb kosmeo, which means to decorate, embellish, make beautiful and attractive. It’s the same root that gives us our word cosmetics. Jesus slammed the religious police for being hypocrites and spending money to “decorate (Gr. kosmeo) the monuments of the righteous” (Mt 23:29). Christ’s crew was blown away with the ornate decorations of the temple and “how it was adorned (Gr. kosmeo) with noble stones and offerings” (Lk 21:5). Pete writes that women who follow Jesus don’t so much worry about their makeup and wardrobe but “adorn (Gr. kosmeo) themselves, by submitting to their own husbands” (1Pet 3:5). Does how I work make what I know about Jesus more attractive to those around me?

Here’s the deal. If we claim to follow Jesus, my shoddy work, laziness, and a bad attitude trashes His rep. It reveals that we really don’t have an understanding about who He is, what He’s done, and who we are without Him. How we work should make Jesus more attractive and more beautiful to those around us. I’m not talking about slapping a Jesus fish on your car. This isn’t about slinging a cross around your neck. It has nothing to do with dropping a Bible on your desk. All of those things may be awesome. But a great witness for what He’s done in my life is to bust my butt and be a hard worker. Will I fall short? You betcha. Will I bring embarrassment on the One who rescued me? Take it to the bank. But when I do, I must be accountable to my mistakes and know that nothing that happens at work changes my standing in Him. 

As followers of Jesus, we’re called to have sticky faith, not sticky fingers.

Submission Possible

“Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative” (Titus 2:9).

Christians really annoy me at times. It seems like every time I turn around one of the folks on Jesus’ team is doing something that makes me scratch my head. One thing that really ticks me off is when someone who claims to follow Christ is a bad employee. You know the kind. Despite the fish on the car, the Bible on the desk, and the cross around their neck, they are late and lazy. Well, the Apostle Paul instructed Titus to make sure that every one of us who works for the Man isn’t just a good employee, but a great one. We do what we’re told. We do it with a smile. We do it without talking about. Without Christ, it’s next to impossible. As followers of Jesus, this is submission possible.

Before we dig into the specifics of this verse, let’s remember the big picture of what’s going on here. Jesus’ message of God’s grace has turned the island of Crete upside down. As a result, Paul gives Titus a three-point plan. One, put elders in place to fill the leadership void in every church (Titus 1:5). Two, shut down and shut up a team of false teachers that are stirring up trouble among these new believers (Titus 1:10-11). Three, establish a self-sustaining system to teach folks what it means to follow Jesus (Titus 2:1-10). 

The structure for this system of discipleship is pretty simple really. Older dudes teaching younger dudes (Titus 2:2, 6). Older ladies teaching younger ladies (Titus 2:3-5). And just to make sure he’s not leaving anybody out, Paul tells the Big T what to instruct slaves. These “bondservants” were the lifeblood of the Mediterranean rim. Let’s be clear and historically accurate about slavery in the Greco-Roman world. According to Tim Keller, it was not at all like the race-based slavery of the African slave trade and the American South before the Civil War. Slavery in Paul’s day was not race-based and seldom lifelong. It was often a way to pay off a debt and lasted about ten years. The best way to understand it is a form of indentured servitude. You didn’t file bankruptcy back in the day. You paid your debt by going to work.

There were different kinds of slavery in the first century. Without a doubt, some situations were very harsh and brutal. A bondservant was often not much more than a piece of property. But most actually earned a living wage. According to Andrew T. Lincoln, many slaves actually held white collar jobs, like professors, teachers, administrators, civil servants. Some scholars actually believe that Paul’s buddy Dr. Luke was a bondservant at one point. Estimates of the level of slavery of the time are all over the place. One historian believes that 30-40% of Italians were slaves in the first century. Another estimates that slaves made up 10-15% of the entire Roman Empire. 

Before you think Paul’s instructions to bondservants is his stamp of approval of this awful institution, let’s pump our brakes. Instead of commanding the end of slavery, Jesus is going to use men like the man from Tarsus to take it down from the inside out. F.F. Bruce writes, “What (Paul’s letters) do is bring us into an atmosphere in which the institution of slavery could only wilt and die.” Here’s the deal, slavery would come to a natural and logical end because of the Gospel. Scripture inspired like William Wilberforce to get to work.

So with all that history out of the way, shouldn’t we simply skip over these verses? Not so fast, my friend. Let’s step back and read these instructions to employees. Most of us work for a living. Read Paul’s words as what it looks like to work well as a follower of Jesus. First of all, every member of the workforce should “be submissive” (v9). This is the Greek verb hupotasso. It literally means to put something under something. It’s the idea of placing under authority, or bringing under firm control. The term actually has a military background. Troops were placed under the command of a general. The grammar of this particular verse paints a picture of someone who willingly obeys another and takes a subordinate place. In other words, employees should do what they are told without having to be threatened with probation, suspension, or being fired. Remember, Paul is talking about slaves in the original passage. How much more are Jesus following employees expected to respectfully obey their employers! We’re talking submission possible.

Every working man or woman is to be obedient “to their own masters” (v9). Understand your company’s org chart. Know the chain of command. Know who you’re working for, first and foremost. My specific point of obedience is to my own boss, not everybody else. My submission isn’t limited. It’s “in everything” (v9). As long as we’re not asked to defy God and sin, we’re to do whatever we’re told. Be a good follower. When our boss asks us to jump, we ask just need to know how high. And don’t miss the point that being a good employee is NOT dependent on having a good boss. It doesn’t matter if your supervisor is fair or unfair, kind or cruel. 

Paul tells Titus that bondservants should be “well-pleasing” (v9). When we’re at work, let’s put a smile on somebody’s face. Our boss should look forward to when we walk through the door. Don’t let them dread working with us. We also shouldn’t talk back, or in the apostle’s words “not argumentative” (v9). Don’t whine. Don’t complain. Don’t grumble. This doesn’t mean you can’t discuss an assignment with your boss from time to time and offer our thoughts on ways to get things done. But please don’t constantly question why you’re being asked to do what you do. 

Submission is a huge part of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. We should willingly serve each other (Eph 5:21). In his letter to the folks in Ephesus (a major center of the first century slave trade), Paul wrote, “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ” (Eph 6:5). If we think that submission might be for others but not for us, we need to remember that Jesus Himself willingly and voluntarily did what His Dad wanted. He’s the supernatural poster boy for willing submission (Phil 2:5-8). Remember, He’s God but still obeyed. The King of Kings became the Servant of Servants. And don’t forget His readiness to do His Father’s will even when it meant a bloody death on a Roman cross (Lk 22:42). 

Because of Jesus’ obedience, we can obey. Submission possible.

The King of Kings and the Boss of Bosses

Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with Him (Eph 6:9).

A bad boss makes for a toxic work environment.  There are few things worse than a bully in the role of supervisor.  Everybody is constantly looking over their shoulder.  Everybody is intimidated.  There’s the constant threat of being put on probation.  There’s the constant threat of being demoted.  There’s the constant threat of a pay cut.  There’s the constant threat of a horrible assignment.  There’s the constant threat getting fired.  Here in his letter to his friends back in Ephesus, Paul says there’s no place for horrible bosses in God’s kingdom.  “Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with Him” (v9).  

This command doesn’t just out fly out of left field.  Remember the context.  The apostle desperately wants the Ephesian believers to remember who they are in Christ.  Make sure you soak in the Tsunami of Blessings and realize all that God has done for you (Eph 1:3-14).  Before Jesus got ahold of us, we were among the original Walking Dead (Eph 2:1).  But God didn’t just put a bandaid on our boo boo, He “made us alive together with Christ” (Eph 2:5).  As recipients of His grace, God’s descending one-way love, we need to stop bragging about anything we’ve done (Eph 2:7-9).  Jesus did it ALL!  With that proper perspective of who we are in Christ, Paul then tells us to “be imitators of God” (Eph 5:1).  “Walk in love” just like Jesus (Eph 5:2).  That means we lovingly and willingly cooperate with each other, “submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Eph 5:21).

From his cell in the Roman joint, prisoner Paul tells us what this looks like when we apply it practically to the home (Eph 5:22-6:4).  Now he turns his attention to the workplace.  Bosses are to “do the same to them” (v9).  What is “the same?”  Who are “them?”  In the previous verses Paul writes to slaves (Eph 6:5-8).  For our purposes, let’s make this employees.  Four different times he tells workers that they have a sacred responsibility to serve Jesus on the job.  You are to do what the boss tells you “as you would Christ” (Eph 6:5).  You’re not just punching a clock, you’re “servants of Christ” (Eph 6:6).  You’re not just following the boss’ orders but “doing the will of God from the heart” (Eph 6:6).  You’re not just working for the man but working “to the Lord” (Eph 6:7).  Paul reminds CEOs, presidents, VPs, regional managers, department heads and all supervisors that they also have a sacred calling at work.  Treat your employees “as you would Christ.”  Manage the folks under you “as servants of Christ.”  You’re also “doing the will of God from the heart.”  Supervise employees with care and concern “as to the Lord.”  Bosses are to “do the same” for their workers because of the One they ultimately report to.  Don’t see this as a convenient loophole for the big kahuna.  The supervisor’s treatment of his or her employees is NOT dependent on how the employees act.

Just because you find yourself over a team of people, that’s absolutely no reason to start throwing your weight around.  “Stop your threatening” (v9).  The literal translation of this command is “leave threatening alone.”  A closer look at the original text sees the word aniemi.  It means to relax, loosen, give up or calm down.  During the big Philippian quake, all the shackles “were unfastened (Gr. aniemi)” (Acts 16:26).  When the ship Paul was taking to Rome was about to slam into the shore in the big storm, the crew was “loosening (Gr. aniemi) the ropes” that tied the rudders.  The writer of Hebrews reminds us of God’s promise to keep us tightly in His grip.  “I will never leave (Gr. aniemi) you or forsake you” (Heb 13:5).  Loosen up, boss.  Don’t keep such a kung fu grip on the people who work for you.

The one in charge must quit “threatening” (v9).  This is the Greek apeileo, which means intimidation when certain conditions aren’t met.  Paul knows all about using the threat of brutality and punishment.  Before Jesus ambushed Saul and transformed him into His number one agent for the Gospel, the man from Tarsus was “breathing threats (Gr. apeileo) and murder against the disciples” (Acts 9:1).  If folks didn’t stop worshiping Jesus, he wouldn’t just ask them to quit.  He would torture them.  He would kill them.  Saul didn’t make a promise that he didn’t keep.  Forget Dale Earnhardt.  Saul was the true Intimidator.

Paul tells bosses to stop using the threat of violence as a hammer from the managerial toolbox.  While slavery in the first century was very different than what happened in the American South, slave owners in the Greco/Roman world could still be quite brutal.  Slaves were property.  Owners continually used beatings to punish them.  Servants were under the threat of physical punishment.  Moving that into a modern context, managers and supervisors must stop intimidating folks who work for them.  Don’t torment the people who report to you.  Being a good boss does not mean being a bully.  When it comes to intimidation, stop using it.  Let it go.  Give it up.  Drop it.

The reason is actually quite simple.  We need to understand that the boss works for the same Person as the lowest employee on the org chart.  And I’m NOT talking about some high payed CEO or the stockholders.  That would be Jesus.  Christ “is both their Master and yours” (v9).  Paul clues the Colossians in on this very same idea.  “Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven” (Col 4:1).  Christ sits on His throne in heaven.  Think of it as the ultimate corner office.  He’s EVERYBODY’S Boss.  He’s over the part-timers.  He’s over the full-timers.  He’s over the short-timers.  He’s over the long-timers.  The King of Kings is the Boss of Bosses.  No matter how high you’ve climbed the corporate ladder, you’re His direct report.  Let that sink in just a minute.  Imagine getting THAT call.  “The Boss would like to see you in His office.”  GULP!

But as the Boss of Bosses, Jesus is the perfect CEO.  “There is no partiality with Him” (v9).  He doesn’t just hold the ultimate power but He uses it without regard to whom He’s dealing with.  Just after his divine one-on-one mountaintop retreat with the Boss, Moses told the Israelites, “For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial” (Dt 10:17).  Despite being the most powerful Being in the history of the universe, God doesn’t just hobnob with the big shots.  He cares deeply about each and every person.  Pete came to understand that Jesus was saving both Jews and Gentiles because “God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34).  So any supervisor who threatens and intimidates employees needs to remember that the Big Boss won’t automatically side with them just because of where they sit in the structure of the company.  Jesus is impartial.

Who’s the Boss?  He’s the Boss.  The Boss of Bosses.

This is where you come in.  What do YOU think?  Agree or disagree?  Drop a comment below.  I would love to hear from you.

Who's the Boss?

Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free (Eph 4:5-8).

Who’s the boss?  Who do you work for?  Paul wants us to realize that while I might be an employee with a supervisor, my true boss is Christ.  I report directly to Jesus.  The apostle has just finished instructing us on what relationships in the home between wives, husbands and kids look like when we’re walking in love and submitting to one another (Eph 5:21-6:4).  At this point, he moves from the family to the workplace.  “Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free” (v5-8).  His bottom line: work hard because you ultimately work for Jesus.  Who’s the boss?  He’s the Boss!

My Savior is my Supervisor.

Let’s be clear about something right out of the chute.  Paul is NOT endorsing slavery.  Instead, he’s recognizing that Jesus is an incredible impact on an existing social institution.  In three separate letters written at the same time, the apostle has important instructions for slaves who are coming to faith in Christ.  As a matter of fact, he writes to his buddy Philemon about how to receive and forgive his runaway servant Onesimus.  Paul also writes to the larger Colossian church that Phil and his family belong to with teaching specifically for slaves (Col 3:22-25).  And then we read his directive to the folks in Ephesus we see in these verses.  Again, Paul isn’t putting his stamp of approval on slavery.  He knows that when Jesus rolls up His sleeves and changes hearts, He will use this awful institution as an important tool for His glory and the good of His followers (Rom 8:28; Gen 50:20).

In the first century, “bondservants” (v5) make up a significant portion of the the Roman empire.  Historians estimate that 10-15% of the population were slaves.  Slavery in the empire isn’t based on race or ethnicity.  In most situations, economics are behind it.  People are in debt and this was a way to work it off.  Some servants work their butts off doing excruciating manual labor.  Others work in the home.  And still other slaves are actually highly skilled and have white collar jobs, such as teachers, accountants and even physicians.  There’s a pretty good chance that Paul’s buddy Dr. Luke, the author of the third Gospel and the book of Acts, is a former slave.

Since slavery isn’t a part of American culture in the 21^st century, what do we do with this command?  The best application is to see it through the lens of the working man.  Most of us have “earthly masters” (v4).  Most of us are employees.  Most of us work for someone else.  Most of us have a boss.  Let’s swap out the word “bondservants” and drop in “employees.”  One thing that doesn’t change 2,000 years later is our ultimate Supervisor.  We all truly work for Christ.

My Savior is my Supervisor.

Paul tells the worker to “obey your earthly masters” (v5).  He uses the Greek verb hupakouo.  This word literally means to listen under.  Think of being under someone’s authority.  It’s being at someone’s beck and call.  It’s the same term the apostle uses a couple of verses back when telling kids to do what their parents tell them.  Same for the worker and the boss.  When they call, you answer.  When they say “jump,” you say “how high?”  One scholar says it’s like being ready to answer the door when the bell rings.  It’s being ready and willing to obey what you’re told to do.  When they call, there’s no eye rolling.  There’s no heavy sigh.  When the boss gives you your assignment, it’s not an inconvenience.  It’s your JOB!!  We’re to respond to our supervisor “with fear and trembling” (v5).  This doesn’t mean employees are to literally shake in their shoes in terror when the boss calls.  This is respect.  This is honor.  God makes it VERY clear that every last one of us is under authority in one way or the other (Rom 13:1-7).  We’re also to go to work “with a sincere heart” (v5).  Paul’s describing a singleness of purpose.  There’s no hidden agenda on the part of the employee.  Sure, I want my paycheck every two weeks.  No question about that.  But I’m to share my boss’ agenda and vision.  As long as my supervisor isn’t asking me to do something that causes me to break the law or sin against God, we’re to be on the very same page.

I’m not just to work hard when folks are watching either.  Don’t just bust your butt “by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers” (v6).  When the cat’s away, the mouse shouldn’t act like a rat.  Christ followers must be self-starters in the workplace.  Get to work.  Stay focused.  Here’s the hard truth.  To NOT work when you’re on the clock is stealing.  You and I are being paid to use our skills and talents on someone else’ dime.  Stop jacking around when the boss isn’t around.  

And the key reason we bear down is because of Whom we’re really working for.  Jesus.  Not once but four times in these verses, Paul reminds me that my Savior is my Supervisor.  You obey your boss “as you would Christ” (v5).  We’re not just employees of a particular company but “servants of Christ” (v6).  We serve on mission in the workplace “doing the will of God from the heart” (v6).  We work hard with a great attitude “as to the Lord and not to man” (v7).  Who’s the boss?  He’s the Boss!  Ultimately, my Savior is my Supervisor.  I serve gladly Him out of the overwhelming gratitude that He’s drenched me in His overwhelming grace (Eph 1:3-14).  This isn’t about cranking out a good product at work because I have a good earthly boss.  This is letting my light shine on the job for the One who did for me what I could never do for myself.  My work DOES matter to God!  That’s because of Whom I really work for when it’s all said and done.  

My Savior is my Supervisor.

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