II. THE GOSPEL COMMANDS THE SUBMISSION  OF THE SLAVE

Let us note the very detailed nature of the obedience required.

1. It was to be rendered irrespective of who the master was. 

Good or bad, kind or cruel. Lawful commands were to be carried out. The word obedient means to hearken.

2. The obedience was to be genuine. 

Not eyeservice -- a mere outward show. It was to be done with fear and trembling. Not a fear of man but of God and out of a love for the master. It was to be with singleness of heart, the opposite of hypocrisy.

3. It was to be seen as a service for Christ. 

3-fold. Just as the wives in 5:22, children. The eye they were to be aware of was Christ’s. This man’s chief end -- to glorify the Lord. In so doing a man will best serve his generation. The labour was to be seen as a work for the Lord, verse 7.