Ephesians 6:7

“With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men”

Context:Ephesians is a letter written by the apostle Paul to the church in Ephesus. In the earlier part of this chapter, Paul speaks about the concept of submission and obedience in various relationships, such as between children and parents, servants and masters, and ultimately, between believers and God. In verse 7, Paul specifically addresses the attitude and motivation behind the service we offer.

Good will doing service:The verse begins by emphasising the importance of having a positive attitude and motivation while engaging in service. “Good will” implies a sincere desire to do what is right and beneficial for others. It means serving with a genuine intention to help, bless, and meet the needs of others.

As to the Lord:The key point in this verse is that our service should be directed towards the Lord. While we may serve people and meet their needs, our ultimate motivation should be to please God. We are called to serve others as if we are serving the Lord Himself. This perspective transforms our service from mere duty to an act of worship, where we honour God by how we serve and love His creation.

Not to men:Paul reminds believers that their service should not be driven by a desire for human recognition or approval. Instead, our focus should be on pleasing God rather than seeking the praise and affirmation of people. This highlights the need for humility, as it is easy to fall into the trap of performing acts of service to gain human accolades. Our primary goal should be to glorify God and follow His will.

Overall, Ephesians 6:7 emphasises the importance of a right attitude and motivation in our service. It calls us to serve others with sincerity, as if we are serving the Lord Himself, and to prioritise pleasing God over seeking human recognition. By doing so, our service becomes an expression of our faith and an act of worship to God.