Ephesians 6:7

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

Ephesians 6:7 (KJV)

Context

Ephesians is a letter written by the apostle Paul to the church in Ephesus. In this chapter, Paul addresses household relationships, including those between servants and masters. In verse 7, he focuses on the attitude and motivation behind the service believers offer.

Meaning

The verse begins by emphasizing the importance of a positive attitude in service. “Good will” implies a sincere, cheerful, and ready disposition, not grudging or forced compliance. It means serving with a genuine intention to help, bless, and meet the needs of others.

The key point is that our service should be directed toward the Lord. While we serve people, our ultimate motivation is to please God. We are called to serve others as if we are serving the Lord Himself. This perspective transforms service from mere duty into an act of worship, honoring God by how we serve and love His creation.

Paul reminds believers that 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 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 is to glorify God and follow His will.

Biblical connections

This verse continues the thought from Ephesians 6:6, where Paul contrasts improper service with proper service: believers are not to serve with “eyeservice” (working diligently only when under observation) or as “menpleasers,” but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. Verse 7 reinforces that the ultimate audience of our work is Christ Himself, not merely human masters or employers. This reframes even mundane or difficult tasks as acts of worship.

The principle also connects to verse 8, which assures that “whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord,” reinforcing that God sees and rewards faithful service. This promise encourages believers to serve with wholeheartedness, knowing their labor is not in vain.

Application

The principle applies beyond the original context of slaves and masters to all believers in their various work and service environments. Whether at home, in the workplace, or in the church, our service should be characterized by sincerity and a Christ-centered focus, rather than a desire to impress or please people. By serving with good will as to the Lord, our service becomes an expression of our faith and an act of worship to God.

Reflection

Consider your own service. Are you serving with a cheerful and ready disposition, or do you serve grudgingly? Are you seeking to please God or to gain human approval? Let this verse challenge you to serve with good will, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that God sees and rewards faithful service.