Study Questions: Ephesians #13
The Household Ethic – Pt.2
Ephesians 6:1-9 (CGS#13)
INTRODUCTION: Reminder from the last two weeks – When we read and study the Bible, we need to remember that while the Bible has authority over us and speaks truth that is relevant to our daily life, we are not the original audience. That means we are going to have to work to understand imagery, sayings, and even the styles of writing so that we can ensure a correct understanding of God’s Word. Now, does that mean we all need a Master’s or a PhD to read the Bible? Absolutely not! It does mean that sometimes we need to slow down and really consider the original audience when we come to a tricky passage. As we begin chapter 6, we are going to be required to really consider the original audience. And when we do, we will come to see truths that are truly beautiful and for our good.
Heading into chapter 6, Paul continues his application of the honor principle to the remaining groups in the Ephesian household, children and servants (slaves). Again, we are greeted with writing and social situations that make us quite uncomfortable in the modern moment that we live in. That is why we have to remember the context. Paul is writing to believers in this letter. That means he is talking to those who claim to follow Christ, and he is helping them apply Christian living to the everyday complexities and realities of life in Ephesus. It is safe to say that not all of their challenges are the same as those we face today. And vice-versa.
This larger section (5:21-6:9) began with the call to mutual submission back in v.21. That is the key point we have to come back to in each application – husbands and wives, children and parents, slaves and masters. This posture of willing submission and service is all rooted in Jesus’ example. Jesus humbled himself and served us by giving his very life. This is to be the basis of how the Ephesian believers are to act with one another in church and at home. We discussed last week that if husbands were to live this way, it wouldn’t only be countercultural, but it would also be seen as improper and even dangerous to the normal ordering of society. It goes the same for children and slaves. Children are to obey their parents, and parents are not to provoke their children to anger but to bring them up in the Lord (vv. 1-4). Here again, we can see the call to honor parents and then parents (fathers particularly) serving their children. The father was seen as the head of house, and therefore, it was the child’s duty to bring honor to the father. Paul gives this kingdom reversal we’ve been talking about, where the father is to serve the child and not exert manipulative or abusive authority over them. In the same way, believing masters are not to threaten or abuse those in their service. To be the head of the household and to act this Christian way would have been so radically different than any other head of the household. This is the larger principle, those who should have been in power and could dominate anyone under them were now called to serve, love, and support. After all, this is what Jesus had done and they were to live like Christ. There is actually a restoration of dignity and agency for wives, children, and slaves in this new household ethic that Paul proposes. Honor one another as Christ has honored you.
A note on slavery – Paul doesn’t endorse slavery in this passage, nor does he commend slaves to demand their freedom. Why? Well, Paul understands what awaits a slave, and in a world that wasn’t just filled with inequities, but inequity being the standard expectation, Paul understands that for someone born or put into slavery the options to move out of that economic status were essentially non-existent. So, it was better for the slave to be in a believing household where there were Biblical provision for their treatment. We also have to remember that Paul is talking about slaves within the household context here. Slavery in the first century was very complex and took many forms across the Roman Empire. And for a master (head) to treat a slave with dignity and agency, as Paul commands, was wildly different. To simply release a slave was to ensure their enslavement again, but to a worse situation. None of this justifies slavery, but points to the complexities that Paul was intimately familiar with in their setting.
GETTING STARTED – As a group, take time to answer this question. What have been key times in your life that you were significantly aware of Jesus’ honoring of you? Or, moments that you were keenly aware of God’s blessings and provision?
IN THE WORD – Let’s dig back into the passage(s). It is important to strengthen our muscles in reading God’s Word. On Sunday, we walked through the passage in the sermon. Hopefully, that helped you to see the landmarks of the passage with fresh eyes. Now, with your group, go back through it and see what God is saying to you specifically.
First, before you read the passage, take a moment to ask God’s Spirit to quiet your mind and heart and to illuminate the text to you. Second, read the passage aloud to the group. Then, follow the simple method below. (O.P.A)
Observe: Make 8-10 observations from the passage. Pay close attention to observe and note repeated words and phrases, names, places, and themes.
Principles: From your list of observations, what patterns or big ideas do you see emerging? Can you distill it down into 2-4 big idea truths?
Apply: Moving from your list of principles, it is time to apply God’s Word. Remember, we believe that God’s Word is living and active and that it can change the way we live Monday- Friday. What is one tangible way to apply a truth from your list above?
Note: Another way to approach your time together is to talk through the following questions.
- How is the Bible’s view of what leadership means different from your society’s? Consider Jesus’ words in Mk. 10:42-45.
- Paul tells parents that we are to be actively working for the formation of our kids into Christ. But, we can’t lead where we haven’t gone. How are you intentionally growing in Christ.
- Paul talks about doing the will of the Lord from the heart in this passage. What is the difference between head and heart knowledge?
- What would change if you remembered that you can always, and should always, be seen by and be pleasing to your Father?
- This passage continues the honor principle. What stands out to you about the importance of honoring one another in this passage?