Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ephesians 6:8
Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether [he be] bond or free.
8. knowing ] as a certainty of the Gospel. For the Christian’s prospect of “reward,” cp. Mat 5:12; Mat 6:1; Mat 6:4; Mat 16:27; Luk 6:35; Luk 14:14; Rom 2:6-10; 2Co 5:10; Heb 10:35; Rev 22:12; &c. The essence of the truth is that the obedience of love is infallibly welcomed and remembered by Him to whom it is rendered. “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Mat 25:21; Mat 25:23), is His certain ultimate response to every true act of the will given up to His will. This prospect, taken along with the conditions to it, has nothing that is not deeply harmonious with our justification for Christ’s Merit only, embraced by faith only. It is the recognition of love by Love, of grace by the Giver. From another point of view it is the outcome of a process of growth and result (Gal 6:7-9).
the Lord ] Christ. Cp. among many passages Mat 25:34-36; 2Co 5:9-10. In view of the context, the point would be still clearer if the Gr. were rendered the Master.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Knowing that whatsoever good thing – Whatever a man does that is right, for that he shall be appropriately rewarded. No matter what his rank in life, if he discharges his duty to God and man, he will be accepted. A man in a state of servitude may so live as to honor God; and, so living, he should not be greatly solicitous about his condition. A master may fail to render suitable recompense to a slave. But, if the servant is faithful to God, he will recompense him in the future world. It is in this way that religion would make the evils of life tolerable, by teaching those who are oppressed to hear their trials in a patient spirit, and to look forward to the future world of reward. Religion does not approve of slavery. It is the friend of human rights. If it had full influence on earth, it would restore every man to freedom, and impart to each one his rights. Christianity nowhere requires its friends to make or to own a slave. No one under the proper influence of religion ever yet made a man a slave; there is no one under its proper influence who would not desire that all should be free; and just in proportion as true religion spreads over the world, will universal freedom be its attendant. But Christianity would lighten the evils of slavery even while it exists, and would comfort those who are doomed to so hard a lot, by assuring them that there they may render acceptable service to God, and that they soon will be admitted to a world where galling servitude will be known no more. If they may not have freedom here, they may have contentment if they feel that wrong is done them by men, they may feel that right will be done them by God; if their masters do not reward them for their services here, God will; and if they may not enjoy liberty here, they will soon be received into the world of perfect freedom – heaven.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 8. Whatsoever good thing any man doeth] Though your masters should fail to give you the due reward of your fidelity and labour, yet, as ye have done your work as unto the Lord, he will take care to give you the proper recompense.
Whether he be bond] A slave, bought with money;
Or free.] A person who has hired himself of his own free accord.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Whatsoever good thing any man doeth; viz. as the servant of Christ and as unto the Lord.
The same shall he receive of the Lord; the reward of the same, by a metonymy.
Whether he be bond or free: Christ regards not those differences of men at the present, nor will in the day of judgment, 1Co 7:22; 12:13; Gal 3:28; Col 3:11.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
8. any man doethGreek,“any man shall have done,” that is, shall be found at theLord’s coming to have done.
the samein fullpayment, in heaven’s currency.
shall . . . receive(2Co 5:10; Col 3:25;but all of grace, Lu 17:10).
bond or free (1Co 7:22;1Co 12:13; Gal 3:28;Col 3:11). Christ does not regardsuch distinctions in His present dealings of grace, or in His futurejudgment. The slave that has acted faithfully for the Lord’s sake tohis master, though the latter may not repay his faithfulness, shallhave the Lord for his Paymaster. So the freeman who has done good forthe Lord’s sake, though man may not pay him, has the Lord for hisDebtor (Pr 19:17).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doth,…. According to the will of God, from right principles in his heart, and with a view to God’s glory:
the same shall he receive of the Lord; that is, he shall receive the fruit and advantage of it, in a way of grace,
whether [he be] bond or free; a bondman or a free man, a master or a servant.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Whatsoever good thing each one doeth ( ). Literally, “each one if he do anything good.” Condition of third class, undetermined, but with prospect. Note use here of rather than (one doing wrong) in Col 3:25. So it is a reward () for good, not a penalty for wrong, though both are true, “whether he be bond or free” ( ).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Shall he receive [] . See on 1Pe 1:8; compare Col 3:25.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth” (eidotes hoti hekastos ean ti poiese agathon) Perceiving that whatever good thing each person does.” Every man shall not only give an account of himself to the Lord as servant or master, but also receive due reward for his services rendered in obedience to Jesus Christ, Col 3:24-25.
2) “The same shall he receive of the Lord” (touto komisetai para kuriou) “This he will obtain from the Lord;” 1Co 3:14; Dan 12:3; 1Th 2:19. This should give courage to each who renders sincere service to his fellow-man, as to the Lord, with hearty good will. In return for this obedience one is assured of receiving back of the good from the Lord, 2Co 5:10; Luk 6:38.
3) “Whether he be bond or free”, (eite doulos eite elutheros) Whether he be a slave or a free man,” a man without contractual obligations of life and service to another man. At the judgment of Divine justice, at the coming of the Lord and the rewarding of believers, there will be no social status influence of distinction recognized as a basis of merit or reward, Rom 2:6-7; Pro 24:12; Rom 14:11-12.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
8. Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth. What a powerful consolation! However unworthy, however ungrateful or cruel, their masters may be, God will accept their services as rendered to himself. When servants take into account the pride and arrogance of their masters, they often become more indolent from the thought that their labor is thrown away. But Paul informs them that their reward is laid up with God for services which appear to be ill bestowed on unfeeling men; and that there is no reason, therefore, why they should be led aside from the path of duty. He adds, whether bond or free No distinction is made between a slave and a free man. The world is wont to set little value on the labors of slaves; but God esteems them as highly as the duties of kings. In his estimate, the outward station is thrown aside, and each is judged according to the uprightness of his heart.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(8) The same shall he receive of the Lord.This verse clenches the previous exhortations by the inculcation of a sense of responsibility and hope. The phrase itself is emphaticnot he shall receive the reward of his deed, but he shall receive the deed itself, considered as a thing still living and returning on his head, both in the judgments of life and in what we rightly call the Last Judgment of the Great Day. A slave in the eye of the law had no rights, and therefore no responsibility or hope. St. Paul therefore bids him, as a Christian, lift his thoughts to a region in which all, bond and free alike, may hear the blessing, Well done, good and faithful servant.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
8. The same shall he receive The master may take the service, but God holds himself debtor for the service herein to him rendered.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘Knowing that whatever good thing each one does he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he be bond or free.’
When our work is done properly as to the Lord, it is the Lord who will finally reward us, on top of anything we receive in wages or in gratitude. Note that Paul specifically applies this to free men as well as bondservants.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Eph 6:8 . ] Incitement to the mode of service demanded, Eph 6:5-7 : since ye know that whatever good thing each one shall have done, he shall bear off this (the good done) from the Lord, whether he be slave or free .
] in the relative clause with the subjunctive instead of (Buttmann, neut. Gramm . p. 63 [E. T. 72]), and separated from , as in Plato, Legg. ix. p. 864 E: , Lys. p. 160: .
.] Expression of entirely adequate recompense . See on 2Co 5:10 .
] from Christ , at the judgment.
, .] , , , Theodoret. It is evident, we may add, from our passage that Paul did not think of a ceasing of slavery among Christians before the Parousia, a view which was very naturally connected with the conception of the nearness of the latter, which did not admit of his looking forth upon the development of centuries.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
Ver. 8. Whether he be bond or free ] The centurion did but complain of the sickness of his servant, and Christ, unasked, says, I will come and heal him. He that came in the shape of a servant, would go down to the sick servant’s pallet, would not go to the bed of the rich ruler’s son.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
8 .] knowing (as ye do; i.e. seeing that ye are aware) that each man if he shall have done (at Christ’s coming) any good thing (the reading is in some doubt. If we take the rec., or that of A, &c. we must render ‘ whatsoever good thing each man shall have done ,’ and take for ; so Plato, Legg. ix. p. 864 E, : and Lysis. p. 160, (cited in Mey.). On , see Winer, 42. 6 obs.), this (emphatic: ‘this in full,’ ‘this exactly’) he shall receive (see reff. where the same expression occurs this he shall then receive in its value as then estimated, changed, so to speak, into the currency of that new and final state) from the Lord (Christ), whether he be slave or free (Chrys. beautifully gives the connexion of thought: , , . , , , , , ):
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Eph 6:8 . : knowing that whatsoever good thing each shall have done . Or, according to the text of T and WH = “knowing that each, if he shall have done any good thing”. Participal clause subjoining a reason or encouragement for a service rendered in sincerity, with hearty good-will, and as to the Lord Himself. The encouragement lies in their Christian knowledge of the Lord’s reward. , not = “who know” as if , but “seeing ye know,” “knowing as ye do”. The , as followed by the , is best rendered “shall have done”. The readings vary greatly. Passing over minor diversities, e.g. , for , , with omission of , etc., we find exceptional uncertainty in the text of the clause. The TR reads , which is given in L 2 and most cursives. In that case is the potential , the and the being separated by tmesis ( cf. , Plato, Laws , ix., 864 E), and the sense being = “whatsoever each,” etc. But in a considerable number of Manuscripts and Versions ( [757] [758] [759] [760] , 17, 37, Vulg., Arm., etc.) we find (or ) ,; in [761] [762] , (probably ) , while [763] 3 inserts before ; in [764] *, and one or two cursives (46, 62, 115, 129), ; and in B d, e, Petr. alex. Song of Son 6 , . This last reading is preferred by Tisch., ed. viii. th , Alf., WH, and is placed in the margin by Lach. In this is the conditional particle and the sense is = “knowing as ye do that each, if he shall have done any good thing”. The Manuscripts constantly vary between and . In classical Greek the conditional , if , took also the contracted form , especially in Thucydides and Plato, and this possibly is the explanation of the biblical use of as = the potential . In any case the use of , attached to relative pronouns and adverbs, , , , , etc., with the potential force, appears to occur (making all due allowance for uncertainties in the texts) with some frequency both in the LXX and in the NT, and it is found in the papyri; cf. Thayer-Grimm, Lex. , p. 168; Buttm., Gram. of N. T. Greek , p. 72; Blass, Gram. of N. T. Greek , pp. 60, 61, 216. [ ] [ ] : this shall he receive again from the Lord . The of the TR is supported by [765] 3 [766] 3 [767] [768] , Bas., Chr., Theodor., etc.; P gives . The best reading is , which is that of [769] [770] [771] [772] [773] * [774] , etc. In the NT the verb is used once in the simple sense of carrying or bringing to one (Luk 7:37 , of the woman’s ); oftener in the sense of obtaining (1Pe 1:9 ; 2Pe 2:13 ; Heb 10:36 ; Heb 11:39 ), or in that of receiving back, recovering one’s own (Mat 25:27 ; 2Co 5:10 ; Col 3:25 ). The word has this last sense also in classical Greek ( e.g. , , Eurip., Iph. T. , 1362; Thuc., i., 113, etc.). So here the idea is that of receiving back . The “good thing” done is represented as being itself given back to the doer; the certainty, equity and adequacy of the reward being thus signified ( cf. especially 2Co 5:10 ). Whether the Middle is to be taken as the appropriative Middle, expressing as it were the receiving back of a deposit (Ell.) is doubtful in view of the fact that in every NT occurrence but one (Luk 7:37 ) Middle forms are used. The best uncials omit before , and so LTTrWHRV. , : whether bond or free . The reward in view is that of the Great Day, the Parousia, which will have regard not to social distinctions or external circumstances, but only to spiritual conditions.
[757] Codex Alexandrinus (sc. v.), at the British Museum, published in photographic facsimile by Sir E. M. Thompson (1879).
[758] Codex Claromontanus (sc. vi.), a Grco-Latin MS. at Paris, edited by Tischendorf in 1852.
[759] Codex Boernerianus (sc. ix.), a Grco-Latin MS., at Dresden, edited by Matthi in 1791. Written by an Irish scribe, it once formed part of the same volume as Codex Sangallensis ( ) of the Gospels. The Latin text, g, is based on the O.L. translation.
[760] Codex Porphyrianus (sc. ix.), at St. Petersburg, collated by Tischendorf. Its text is deficient for chap. Eph 2:13-16 .
[761] Autograph of the original scribe of .
[762] Autograph of the original scribe of .
[763] Codex Sinaiticus (sc. iv.), now at St. Petersburg, published in facsimile type by its discoverer, Tischendorf, in 1862.
[764] Codex Angelicus (sc. ix.), at Rome, collated by Tischendorf and others.
[765] Codex Sinaiticus (sc. iv.), now at St. Petersburg, published in facsimile type by its discoverer, Tischendorf, in 1862.
[766] Codex Claromontanus (sc. vi.), a Grco-Latin MS. at Paris, edited by Tischendorf in 1852.
[767] Codex Mosquensis (sc. ix.), edited by Matthi in 1782.
[768] Codex Angelicus (sc. ix.), at Rome, collated by Tischendorf and others.
[769] Codex Vaticanus (sc. iv.), published in photographic facsimile in 1889 under the care of the Abbate Cozza-Luzi.
[770] Autograph of the original scribe of .
[771] Autograph of the original scribe of .
[772] Codex Alexandrinus (sc. v.), at the British Museum, published in photographic facsimile by Sir E. M. Thompson (1879).
[773] Codex Claromontanus (sc. vi.), a Grco-Latin MS. at Paris, edited by Tischendorf in 1852.
[774] Codex Boernerianus (sc. ix.), a Grco-Latin MS., at Dresden, edited by Matthi in 1791. Written by an Irish scribe, it once formed part of the same volume as Codex Sangallensis ( ) of the Gospels. The Latin text, g, is based on the O.L. translation.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
This verse contains an example of Figure of speech Tmesis. App-6.
Knowing. App-132.
any man = each one.
receive. Compare 2Co 5:10.
of. App-104.
bond. App-190.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
8.] knowing (as ye do; i.e. seeing that ye are aware) that each man if he shall have done (at Christs coming) any good thing (the reading is in some doubt. If we take the rec., or that of A, &c. we must render whatsoever good thing each man shall have done, and take for ; so Plato, Legg. ix. p. 864 E, : and Lysis. p. 160, (cited in Mey.). On , see Winer, 42. 6 obs.), this (emphatic: this in full, this exactly) he shall receive (see reff. where the same expression occurs-this he shall then receive in its value as then estimated,-changed, so to speak, into the currency of that new and final state) from the Lord (Christ), whether he be slave or free (Chrys. beautifully gives the connexion of thought: , , . , , , , , ):
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Eph 6:8. ) A Tmesis for , Col 3:23.-, good) in Christ.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Eph 6:8
Eph 6:8
knowing that whatsoever good thing each one doeth,-The Lord requires fidelity in any relation his servants occupy as service to him. They must be faithful in all relations of life.
the same shall he receive again from the Lord, whether he be bond or free.-When the servants are so because they trust the Lord, he will reward them whether bond or free. So if the master be harsh and unreasonable, and the slave be discouraged from service, he will still do it from the fear of the Lord, and look forward for God to reward him.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
whatsoever: Pro 11:18, Pro 23:18, Isa 3:11, Mat 5:12, Mat 6:1, Mat 6:4, Mat 10:41, Mat 10:42, Mat 16:27, Luk 6:35, Luk 14:14, Rom 2:6-10, 2Co 5:10, Col 3:24, Heb 10:35, Heb 11:26
whether: Gal 3:28, Col 3:11
Reciprocal: Psa 62:12 – renderest Isa 24:2 – as with the people Mat 20:7 – and 1Co 12:13 – bond 2Co 6:11 – our heart Col 4:1 – ye Rev 13:16 – free
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
(Eph 6:8.) , , , -Knowing, or as ye know that whatsoever good each one shall have done, this shall he receive from the Lord, whether he be bond or free. Lachmann, supported by A, D, E, F, G, etc., reads , but Tischendorf reads as we have printed it. There are also many other variations which need not be noted, as they have sprung from emendation. The and are separated by a tmesis, and stands after the relative for . Winer, 42, 6, Obs.Instead of , which is supported by A, B, D1, F, G, the Stephanic text has , on what appears to be the minor authority of D4, E, K, L, and the texts of Basil and Chrysostom. The Received Text has the article before , but without sufficient evidence. , this, and not something else, the verb being in the middle, and really meaning shall receive back for himself. Col 3:24-25. The object of the apostle is, to encourage the slaves to the cultivation of those virtues which he has described. If they obeyed him, and became diligent and industrious, and served their masters with conscientious fidelity and goodwill, then, though their master might fail either to note or reward their conduct, they were not to be disheartened. For the one Master on high is also the Judge, and He will not fail to confer on them a recompense, not of merit indeed, but of grace. The hope of a future world, in which there would be a gracious recognition of their character and actions, would preserve them from impatience and discontent amidst insults and ingratitude on the part of thankless and frowar d masters. The Christian doctrine of rewards is too often lost sight of or kept in abeyance, as if it were not perfectly consistent with the freest bestowment of heavenly glory.
Fuente: Commentary on the Greek Text of Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians and Phillipians
Eph 6:8. Earthly masters may not always reward their slaves fully for their services, nor even give them due credit for the good work done; but one wrong act does not justify another. The slave who does his duty from the heart will not be forgotten by the Lord, and will be duly rewarded in the day of Final Accounts.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Eph 6:8. Knowing; since ye know; encouraging motive for such obedience.
That whatsoever good thing each one doeth. The early manuscripts present a number of various readings of this clause, affecting mainly the order of the words; the better supported variation may be rendered: that each one if he doeth any good thing, Each one, whether bondman or free; good thing means what is done as to the Lord, and not to men.
The same, or, this, this good thing, shall he receive again from the Lord; in the day of final recompense, when Christ returns to judge. This he shall then receive in its value as then estimatedchanged, so to speak, in the currency of that new and final state (Alford).
Whether he be bondman or free. To apply this merely to two classes of servants weakens the force of the verse as a whole. The more obvious reference is to servants and masters, thus giving to the verse the character of a general proposition, which affords an easy transition to the succeeding exhortation to the free man in Eph 6:9 (masters).
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 8
The same shall he receive of the Lord; that is, though his master might be unjust or oppressive, his fidelity should not ultimately lose its reward.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether [he be] bond or free.
Here we see why we are to do well in our service under others. We will be rewarded for what we do as if it were done directly to the Lord. God wants us doing good and no matter who we do good to or who we do good for, God takes it as having been done to or for Him. What a deal – do good and God will notice as if it were done for Him. You can’t beat a deal like that and not only that you can feel good about doing good, because you know God is pleased with what you do.
When you do that little extra at work for the boss that never notices your work, you can feel good about it because you know God noticed and you know you did it for God anyway and not the boss that doesn’t pay attention.
If we do good with the proper attitude we win. God not only provided salvation for us and he provided all the other things we’ve studied about in this book and now he gives us notice when we do what we are supposed to do.
Years ago it was the custom at my place of work for the store manager to take everyone with perfect attendance for the year to dinner at a nice restaurant. I was one of the few and after the great meal I turned to the manager and said, “Thanks a lot for rewarding us for what we are supposed to do.” God does the same for us at every turn of good.
Fuente: Mr. D’s Notes on Selected New Testament Books by Stanley Derickson
6:8 {10} Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether [he be] bond or free.
(10) Although they serve unkind and cruel masters, yet the obedience of servants is no less acceptable to God, than the obedience of those that are free.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Paul reminded faithful slaves that they would receive a reward from Jesus Christ in the future whether their masters on earth acknowledged their good service or not. This reward would come at the judgment seat of Christ if not earlier.
"Like Jesus himself, Paul does not shrink from referring to rewards." [Note: Wood, p. 84.]
This principle of reward for faithful service applies to all who serve the Lord, whether slave or free.
". . . although the numerous slaves who had come into the Christian fold were in the apostle’s mind as he wrote these words, the principles of the whole section apply to employees and employers in every age, whether in the home, in business, or in the state." [Note: Foulkes, p. 167.]