Ephesians 6:6
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Not with eye-service, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
American King James Version (AKJV)
Not with eye-service, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
American Standard Version (ASV)
not in the way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
Basic English Translation (BBE)
Not only under your master's eye, as pleasers of men; but as servants of Christ, doing the pleasure of God from the heart;
Webster's Revision
Not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
World English Bible
not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
English Revised Version (ERV)
not in the way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
Definitions for Ephesians 6:6
Clarke's Ephesians 6:6 Bible Commentary
Not with eye-service - Not merely in their presence, when their eye is upon you, as unfaithful and hypocritical servants do, without consulting conscience in any part of their work.
Doing the will of God - Seeing that you are in the state of servitude, it is the will of God that you should act conscientiously in it.
Barnes's Ephesians 6:6 Bible Commentary
Nor with eye-service - That is, not with service rendered only under the eye of the master, or when his eye is fixed on you. The apostle has here adverted to one of the evils of involuntary servitude as it exists everywhere. It is, that the slave will usually obey only when the eye of the master is upon him. The freeman who agrees to labor for stipulated wages may be trusted when the master is out of sight; but not the slave. Hence the necessity where there are slaves of having "drivers" who shall attend them, and who shall compel them to work. This evil it is impossible to avoid, except where true religion prevails - and the extensive prevalence of true religion would set the slave at liberty. Yet as long as the relation exists, the apostle would enjoin on the servant the duty of performing his work conscientiously, as rendering service to the Lord. This direction, moreover, is one of great importance to all who are employed in the service of others. They are bound to perform their duty with as much fidelity as though the eye of the employer was always upon them, remembering that though the eye of man may be turned away, that of God never is.
As men-pleasers - As if it were the main object to please people. The object should be rather to please and honor God.
But as the servants of Christ - see the notes on 1 Corinthians 7:22.
Doing the will of God from the heart - That is, God requires industry, fidelity, conscientiousness, submission, and obedience in that rank of life. We render acceptable service to God when, from regard to his will, we perform the services which are demanded of us in the situation in life where we may be placed, however humble that may be.
Wesley's Ephesians 6:6 Bible Commentary
6:6 Not with eye - service - Serving them better when under their eyethan at other times. But doing the will of God from the heart - Doing whatever you do, as the will of God, and with your might.