SLAVE TO RIGHTEOUSNESS EPHESIANS 6:5-9

Teaching summary

In this teaching, Pastor Leonard Rola explains Ephesians 6:5-9 by putting the focus on our identity in Christ and the transformation that has taken place through the righteousness of God. He highlights the importance of interpreting Paul’s writings through the lens of grace and union with Christ. The passage, often misunderstood due to language from older translations, actually demonstrates how believers—whether slaves or masters—can live out their righteousness by serving and leading with Christ’s love. Pastor Leonard emphasizes that we are no longer slaves to sin, but now slaves to righteousness, empowered by grace, not fear.

Bible verses referenced

Ephesians 6:5-9- "Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
With goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him."
Colossians 1:12-"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light."
Romans 9:30-"What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith."
Romans 10:4-"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth."
Acts 17:28-"For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your poets have said, For we are also his offspring."
Hebrews 4:16-"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
1 John 4:17-18-"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love."
2 Timothy 1:7-"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and love, and a sound mind."
2 Corinthians 5:14-15, 17-"For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
Romans 6:6-14- "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we are dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise, reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."

Teaching notes

Introduction: The General Epistle to the New Creation
Translation Matters: The King James and Paul’s Intent
Understanding Righteousness Through Paul’s Epistles
Ephesians 6:5-9 — Rightly Dividing the Passage
From Slavery to Righteousness: Identity in Christ
Masters and Workers: Living Out Christ Within
Supporting Scriptures That Affirm Our New Nature
Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Introduction: The General Epistle to the New Creation

Pastor Leonard opens by explaining that Ephesians is not a letter directed to one specific church but a general epistle intended for the entire Body of Christ. Written by Paul while imprisoned, it carries eternal truths for believers—those born again and made new through Christ.

He says: “It was written to the new creation… if any man be in Christ, he’s a new creation.” The letter was to reveal who we are in Christ and how we live from that identity.

Translation Matters: The King James and Paul’s Intent

Pastor Leonard emphasizes that no translation is perfect. He uses the King James Version often because it is widely recognized but cautions that it contains mistranslations due to its limited source manuscripts.

He notes that “there are significantly more and better ancient manuscripts available today for studying the scriptures than were available during the time of the King James version translation.”

He urges believers to study with the Holy Spirit and use multiple tools to discern truth, recognizing Paul's overall theology of grace.

Understanding Righteousness Through Paul’s Epistles

The core of Paul’s teaching revolves around righteousness by faith. Pastor Leonard connects Colossians 1:12—“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.”—with Romans 9:30, which says, “That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.”

He continues with Romans 10:4: “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Believing the gospel results in righteousness—not works, not striving.

He urges believers to study with the Holy Spirit and use multiple tools to discern truth, recognizing Paul's overall theology of grace.

Ephesians 6:5-9 — Rightly Dividing the Passage

Pastor Leonard carefully reads the passage:

Ephesians 6:5-9
“Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ…”

He unpacks key phrases like “according to the flesh” and explains that Paul is not commanding submission to abuse. Instead, this applies to human relationships and must be interpreted in the light of Paul’s grace-centered gospel.

Referencing Hebrews 4:16—“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace…”—and 1 John 4:17-18—“Herein is our love made perfect… perfect love casteth out fear…”, he shows that God doesn’t want us to live in fear.

This passage, he explains, is not about slavery to men but about showing the Christ within in every context.

From Slavery to Righteousness: Identity in Christ

Pastor Leonard points to Romans 6:6-14 where Paul explains our new identity:

“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him… Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body… For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”

We were once slaves to sin—powerless to escape it. Now, we are slaves to righteousness. And just like we couldn’t undo our sinfulness on our own, we can’t undo our righteousness in Christ.

Masters and Workers: Living Out Christ Within

Addressing masters, Paul writes:

Ephesians 6:9
“And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.”

Pastor Leonard explains this simply: Be the Christ within you. If you are an employer or leader, treat others with the love and justice of Christ. If you are a worker, serve as though you’re serving the Lord, because He is your true master.

Referencing Acts 17:28—“For in him we live, and move, and have our being…”—he reminds listeners that our life is lived through Christ’s power and indwelling Spirit.

Supporting Scriptures That Affirm Our New Nature

Pastor Leonard draws from previous chapters in Ephesians:

Ephesians 1:4 — We were chosen in Him before the foundation of the world.
Ephesians 1:6 — We are accepted in the beloved.
Ephesians 2:4-10 — We’ve been raised up and seated with Christ, saved by grace.
Ephesians 3 — We are rooted and grounded in love.
Ephesians 4:24 — We have put on the new man: “created in righteousness and true holiness.”

He also references 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, 17, emphasizing our union with Christ:
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Final Thoughts and Encouragement

This teaching ends with the powerful truth that righteousness is now our master. The grace of God has taken the place where sin once ruled. We now serve from identity—not to earn—but because we already are righteous.

Romans 6:18 could summarize the message well:
“Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”

We hope this article blessed you. Share this teaching with someone who needs encouragement to live confidently in their identity in Christ. You are no longer a slave to sin—you are a slave to righteousness. Christ in you is the hope of glory. Thank you for reading, and stay tuned for the next part of Ephesians with Pastor Leonard Rola.