AUGUST 3 / AUGUST 10, 2014
DUTIES OF SUBMISSION (PART II)
INTRODUCTION:
1. In dealing with the subject of submission Paul first gave a general exhortation (Verse 21), before moving on to speak of this Christian duty as pertaining to particular relationships, of which, he begins with that of wives to their husbands. (Verses 22-25)
2. Because of the beautiful typologies that are set forth in the marriage union depicting Christ and the church, the apostle saw fit to enlarge upon that blessed subject before continuing his direction respecting other relative duties of submission.
3. In the passage before us he gives two sets of instructions, both of which flow form the underlying principle of the Fifth Commandment, respecting obedience to superiors. The Fifth Commandment provides the basis for all such civil duties as demand respect, reverence, and submission, whether it be to parents, master, or even civil authorities. (Ex. 20:12; I Pet. 1:13, 14; Rom. 13:1-5)
a) The first set of instructions belongs to children and parents. (Verses 1-4)
b) The second set of instructions belongs to servants and masters. (Verses 5-9) Note: We refer to them as “sets” because in each case the duty ascribed to an inferior has a corresponding duty that belongs to the superior.
I. THE DUTY OF CHILDREN TO REVERENCE AND OBEY THEIR PARENTS. (VERSES 1-4) Let us notice three important things respecting this duty.
A. FILIAL OBEDIENCE IS THE MORAL OBLIGATION OF CHILDREN. (VERSES 2, 3)
1. That parents command and children obey is according to the divine order, and also the natural order.
a) So close is parental love and care to that of God, that parents stand to their dependent children in the place of God.
b) Parents, under god, give life to their children, care and provide for them, protect and cherish them, and this they do freely.
c) In return, children are to honor and obey their parents, for it is right.
2. The duty is included in the Decalogue, the ten main points of God’s moral law, written in stone with the very finger of God. But, it was written in the hearts of man long before it was written in tables of stone. (Rom. 2:15; 5:13, 14a)
3. So vital is this commandment to society that it heads the list of our duties to our fellow men, being placed at the top of the second table.
4. Any flagrant breach of this commandment was, according to Mosaic Law, punishable by death. (Ex. 21:15; Deut. 27:16; Matt. 15:4) Of course, this would have required that charges be pressed, which rarely, if ever, would happen, however, this emphasizes the seriousness of the crime in God’s eyes.
5. To this moral duty God has attached a particular blessing. (Verses 2b, 3)
a) The apostle adds in parenthesis that it is the first commandment with promise. In fact it is the only one with a promise attached. His meaning is that it is the prime (first in importance in the second table, and it has a promise attached).
b) The promise itself has a theoretical application, in that it has reference to length of days in the land which God had given them. (Ex. 20:12)
c) The apostle, however, makes it more general. (Verse 3) This states a general rule, and makes known what will be the usual course. Children who honor and respect their parents are more likely to be well and live longer because of the kind of life they are more apt to lead.
B. FILIAL OBEDIENCE IS A CHRISTIAN DUTY. (VERSE 1) It did not begin with the church, but it is thereby lifted to a higher plane.
1. The nature and character of this obedience is expressed. “In the Lord.” this phrase is not intended as a limitation (so far as duty to God allows), but rather as a reason. “Children obey…” for the Lord is well pleased by your obedience. (See Col. 3:20)
2. The ground of this obedience is expressed as well. “For it is right.”
a) The reason children are to obey their parents is not the personal worthiness of the parents due to their character, kindness, love, etc.
b) This obligation exists wherever the relation exists because God has commanded it and it is therefore right. For Christians it is ever more obligatory, because we are “in the Lord,” and our chief end is to please Him.
C. FILIAL OBEDIENCE AND HONOR MUST BE NURTURED AND ENCOURAGED BY PARENTS. (VSE. 4)
1. Parents have duties to their children by which, among other things, their children’s honor and respect for them will be encouraged. These duties are summarily expressed here by the apostle.
a) Negatively, “Ye fathers (this goes for mothers too) provoke not your children to wrath.” Do not abuse your God-given authority so as to provoke your children. This can be done, and often is done, by uncontrolled anger, extreme severity, unreasonable rigidity, gross injustice, partiality, etc.
b) Positively, “Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Children are the heritage of the Lord, and are to be raised for Him. This is done in two ways.
(1) First, children are to be nurtured. This involves the whole process of education.
(2) Second, children are to be admonished. This involves the duty of warning and correction.
2. There is no higher responsibility given to men and women than the proper rearing of children.
a) Parents have a duty to their children to “bring them up.” They must be brought up physically, and intellectually, but key to all, they must be brought up spiritually.
b) According to this text, the religious, i.e. Christian element is essential to the proper education and discipline of a child.
II. THE DUTY OF SERVANTS TO CONSCIENTIOUSLY OBEY THEIR MASTERS. (VERSES 5-9) This too is an exhortation to Christian duty. Some might have thought that as men were made free in Christ, the yoke of bondage had been removed, but, it is not from temporal bondage that the Gospel primarily sets men free. As men are freed from the bondage of sin, the effects upon societies will be such that slavery and other moral evils will be done away, but Scripture teaches that believing servants must honor Christ in their present station. (I Cor. 7:20-24;I Tim. 6:1) The Bible method of dealing with this and similar institutions is to enforce on all concerned parties the great principle of moral obligation. The apostle, therefore, without either denouncing or commending slavery, simply inculcates on both servants and masters their appropriate duties. These principles, when truly applied, prevent much evil. (I Tim. 6:2; Col. 4:1)
A. SERVANTS ARE TO BE OBEDIENT TO THEIR MASTERS AS BECOMES THEM AS CHRISTIANS. (VERSES 5-8)
1. The nature of this obedience. “In fear and trembling…”
a) It is to be done meticulously, carefully, and attentively. Wherever this expression is used it is in every case a solicitude to do the right thing that is implied, giving meticulous, careful attention. (I Cor. 2:3; II Cor. 7:15; Phil. 2:12)
(1) This fear is not of man, but rather, the reverential fear of God.
(2) As this exhortation applies to us today, we are to understand that employees are to be conscientious, diligent workers, laboring as unto the Lord.
2. It is to be done with singleness of mind. “In singleness (simplicity) of your heart.”
a) This means that in servile obedience our work is to receive our undivided attention.
b) Titus exhorted servants at Crete not to purloin, but to show all fidelity. (Tit. 2:9)
c) In other words, when on the boss’s clock, employers are to be focused on the job they are being paid to do.
3. It is to be done “as unto Christ.”
a) Faithfulness to one’s employer is part of a Christian’s obedience to Christ.
b) This gives a Christian character to simply doing your job well, and it renders glory to God. (I Cor. 10:31; I Tim. 6:1)
4. It is to be done sincerely. (Verse 6) The phrase singleness of heart in Verse 5 means not only simplicity of heart (undivided) but also sincerity of heart.
a) Sincere obedience remains focused, diligent, and aggressive, even when no one is watching. “Not with eye service as men pleasers.”
b) Though we may serve earthly masters, we are first and foremost servants of Christ. And though we would please our employer, Christian workers have a higher motive. We would please our Master Who is always watching.
c) Sincere obedience is to do the will of God from the heart;” not barely, but heartily.
5. The whole character of sincere obedience is here summed up. (Verse 7; Col. 3:23)
a) “With good will.”
b) “As unto the Lord.” it is unconditional obedience, for it depends not upon the master’s disposition or fairness, but it is done in service to Christ, Who is always worthy of our best.
6. The greatest encouragement and incentive to sincere service is here given. (Verse 8)
a) There is no bond or free with God. All are on equal footing.
b) Faithfulness is rewarded by Him, Who is no respecter of persons.
c) Men may not reward our diligence, but if done as unto the Lord, He acknowledges and rewards true obedience.
B. BELIEVING MASTERS ARE TO POSSESS AND MAINTAIN THEIR SERVANTS IN A MANNER BECOMING THEIR PROFESSION. (VERSE 9)
1. This duty he has in common with his servant. “Ye masters do the same thing.”
a) The same religious obligation. (I Tim. 6:2)
b) The same good will principle. (Verse 7)
c) The same heavenly Master to whom he must give account. The same Lord is watching and taking note. Christ will judge a master for defrauding his servant just as severely as He will punish a slave for robbing his master. Paul adds, “There is no respect of persons with God.”
2. Christ holds believing masters to the high standard of His Law. (Col. 4:1)
a) They are not to be tyrannical, threatening their servants.
b) They are to be fair and just with their compensations, giving that which is just.
c) They are to treat them as equals, not as to station in life, but as equals by right of creation. The servant’s rights as a husband, father; as a man requiring food, shelter, clothing, rest, etc., are the same as any man, and not to be violated.
3. Let us all remember that our Master is in heaven, and whatever our station in life, it is Him that we must please.
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