Wives, submit yourselves Or be subject; to your own husbands Whether they be Christians or heathen. See on Ephesians 5:22. As it is fit Both in regard of God's command, and the evil that would arise from the neglect of this duty; in the Lord In obedience to the Lord, and in all lawful things. Husbands, love your wives As yourselves, and as Christ loved the church: see Ephesians 5:25; Ephesians 5:28. And be not bitter Harsh and rigorous, either in spirit, word, or deed; against them (Which may be the case without any manifest appearance of anger,)
but kind and obliging. Children, obey your parents See on Ephesians 6:1; in all things Namely, lawful; for this is well-pleasing unto the Lord The Lord Christ, who, when he dwelt in flesh, was a constant example of filial piety, not only to his real mother, but to him who was only his supposed father, Luke 2:51. Fathers, provoke not your children Deal not harshly or severely with them, so as to alienate their affections from you; lest they be discouraged From attempting to please you, when it shall seem to be an impossible task. See on Ephesians 6:4. Rigorous treatment may also occasion their becoming stupid. Servants, obey in all things That are lawful, 1 Peter 2:18; your masters according to the flesh See on Ephesians 6:5: Obey even their rigorous commands; not with eye-service Being more attentive to their orders, and diligent, when under their eye, than at other times; as men- pleasers As persons who are solicitous only to please men; but in singleness of heart With a simple intention of pleasing God by doing right, without looking any further; fearing God That is, acting from this principle. And whatsoever ye do Whatever ye are employed in; do it heartily Cheerfully, diligently; as to the Lord Whose eye, you know, is upon you. Men-pleasers are soon dejected and made angry; the single- hearted are never displeased or disappointed, because they have another aim, which the good or evil treatment of those they serve cannot disappoint. Knowing that of the Lord (see on Eph 6:8) ye shall receive the reward, &c. Be rewarded with the inheritance of eternal life. For ye serve the Lord Christ Namely, in serving your masters according to his command. But he that doeth wrong Whether master or servant; shall receive for the wrong, &c. A just punishment. The greatness of the temptations to which rich men are exposed, by their opulence and high station, will be no excuse for their tyranny and oppression; and, on the other hand, the temptations which the insolence and severity of a tyrannical master hath laid in the way of his servant, will be no excuse for his idleness and unfaithfulness; and there is no respect of persons With him: that is, in passing sentence, and distributing rewards and punishments, God does not consider men according to their outward condition, nation, descent, wealth, temporal dignity, &c, but only according to their spirit and conduct. “Though the word δουλος, here and elsewhere used by St. Paul, properly signifies a slave, our English translators, in all places, when the duties of slaves are inculcated, have justly translated it servant; because, anciently, the Greeks and Romans had scarce any servants but slaves, and because the duties of the hired servant, during the time of his service, are the same with those of the slave. So that what the apostle said to the slave, was in effect said to the hired servant. Upon these principles, in translations of the Scriptures designed for countries where slavery is abolished, and servants are free men, the word δουλος may with truth be translated a servant. In this, and the parallel passage, (Ephesians 6:5,) the apostle is very particular in his precepts to slaves and lords, because in all the countries where slavery was established, many of the slaves were exceedingly addicted to fraud, lying, and stealing; and many of the masters were tyrannical and cruel to their slaves.” Macknight.