1.1. The Status Quo: As we come to this last segment of the epistle, we see immediately that it deals with family life. We have to realize that a new era of family life is beginning that is being heavily influenced by the gospel BUT this is being pitted against some very entrenched grains of behavior.
The Ephesians may be Christian but they have a lifetime of ingrained thinking in a way that’s not different from their pagan family and friends just as there are many culture-influenced behaviors that we bring into the home today.
There were already laws that spelt out the power of husbands over wives. Into this scenario comes Paul, who also is a product of the 1st Century AD but he wants to bring change.
I will invite you to view what Paul writes through the lens of the 1st C AD. If we do so with our 21st C biases, then we won’t appreciate the revolution that is going to come in his thoughts. This will bring a fundamental change in daily life. Just bear in mind, change had to come but in order for the change to be permanent and benefit the weak and disadvantaged it had to be at the core, not from the superficial. Paul addresses 3 parties:
Husbands and wives (5:22-33).
Parents and children (6:1-4).
Slaves/bondservants (6:5-9).
1.2. The Golden Rule: In interpreting the text, put yourself in the shoes of the writer and understand the culture of the time. 1st Century Ephesus was very hierarchical, top down.
If you were weak and at the bottom of the pole, it meant that you had nothing. No rights, completely at the mercy of the top. There were no such things as human rights or power of the masses.
Jesus Christ comes and starts the great reversal by ministering to the weak and sick; those who are despised by society. He does something radical: he empowers women. Remember: “how is it that you a Jew ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria” (John 4: 9).
Women have been used and abused throughout history. The early church shows that women were respected and were very much a part of leadership and ministry.
Remember, in the west, it’s only in the last century that women were given the vote. For most of history, women were treated as property. Jesus speaks of loving your neighbor, regardless of who he or she is. This is played out in the family as well.
2.1. In Christ: Slavery was a longstanding practice in ancient times and Paul’s intention was not to destroy it immediately as that was impossible but to bring about fundamental change in the way slaves were being treated that would eventually lead to its abolition many, many centuries later after much fight in the halls of power.
If he had invited them to protest or revolt it would have been invitation for certain death as masters had absolute control over their slaves.
Paul doesn’t say there’ll be no more slavery but what he says is: follow the law, be loyal to the boss but to the boss he reminds them that they are all subject to one master and both master and slave are in Christ.
Here comes the rub: just as he encourages the slave to do service with good will, he reminds them that “whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord” (6:8). So, “stop your threatening” (6:9). What we see is an equalizing moment, a big first step to gradually remove a terrible practice.
2.2. Human Failing: In times past, this passage was used to justify the practice of slavery until it was abolished by Christians who had to go against the establishment. Slavery was a very lucrative trade and millions suffered because of it.