Ephesians 6:8

Ephesians 6:8 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
• New International Version (NIV)because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.
• English Standard Version (ESV)knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.
• New King James Version (NKJV)knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

Context of Ephesians 6:8

6not in the way of eye-service [working only when someone is watching you and only] to please men, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart; 7rendering service with goodwill, as to the Lord, and not [only] to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive this back from the Lord, whether [he is] slave or free. 9You masters, do the same [showing goodwill] toward them, and give up threatening and abusive words, knowing that [He who is] both their true Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with Him [regardless of one’s earthly status]. 10In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might.

Ephesians 6:8 word by word

εἰδότες ὅτι ἕκαστος ἐάν τι ποιήσῃ ἀγαθὸν τοῦτο κομίσεται παρὰ κυρίου εἴτε δοῦλος εἴτε ἐλεύθερος.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Knowingεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• whatsoeverἐάνean · ifG1437
• ·ὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• good thingἀγαθόςagathos · goodG18
• ·τιςtis · oneG5100
• any manἕκαστοςhekastos · eachG1538
• doethποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
• the sameοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• shall he receiveκομίζωkolumbaō · to bring/be repaidG2865
• ofπαράpara · from/with/besideG3844
• the Lordὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962
• whetherεἴτεeite · whetherG1535
• bondδοῦλοςdoulos · slaveG1401
• freeἐλεύθεροςeleutheros · free/freedomG1658

Cross-references for Ephesians 6:8

• Proverbs 11:18The wicked man earns deceptive wages, But he who sows righteousness and lives his life with integrity will have a true reward [that is both permanent and satisfying].
• Proverbs 23:18Surely there is a future [and a reward], And your hope and expectation will not be cut off.
• Isaiah 3:11Woe (judgment is coming) to the wicked! It shall go badly with him, For what his hand has done shall be done to him.
• Matthew 5:12Be glad and exceedingly joyful, for your reward in heaven is great [absolutely inexhaustible]; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
• Matthew 6:1“Be [very] careful not to do your good deeds publicly, to be seen by men; otherwise you will have no reward [prepared and awaiting you] with your Father who is in heaven.
• Matthew 10:41He who receives and welcomes a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and he who receives a righteous (honorable) man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.
• Matthew 16:27For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory and majesty of His Father with His angels, and then He will repay each one in accordance with what he has done.
• Luke 6:35But love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; for your reward will be great (rich, abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High; because He Himself is kind and gracious and good to the ungrateful and the wicked.
• Luke 14:14and you will be blessed because they cannot repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous (the just, the upright).”
• Romans 2:6He will pay back to each person according to his deeds [justly, as his deeds deserve]:
• 2 Corinthians 5:10For we [believers will be called to account and] must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be repaid for what has been done in the body, whether good or bad [that is, each will be held responsible for his actions, purposes, goals, motives—the use or misuse of his time, opportunities and abilities].
• Colossians 3:24knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.
• Hebrews 10:35Do not, therefore, fling away your [fearless] confidence, for it has a glorious and great reward.
• Hebrews 11:26He considered the reproach of the Christ [that is, the rebuke he would suffer for his faithful obedience to God] to be greater wealth than all the treasures of Egypt; for he looked ahead to the reward [promised by God].
• Galatians 3:28There is [now no distinction in regard to salvation] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you [who believe] are all one in Christ Jesus [no one can claim a spiritual superiority].
• Colossians 3:11a renewal in which there is no [distinction between] Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, [nor between nations whether] barbarian or Scythian, [nor in status whether] slave or free, but Christ is all, and in all [so believers are equal in Christ, without distinction].

Commentaries on Ephesians 6:8

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8Whatsoever good thing any man doeth - Though your masters should fail to give you the due reward of your fidelity and labor, yet, as ye have done your work as unto the Lord, he will take care to give you the proper recompense. Whether he be bond - A slave, bought with money; Or free - A person who has hired himself of his own free accord.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8Knowing that whatsoever good thing - Whatever a man does that is right, for that he shall be appropriately rewarded. No matter what his rank in life, if he discharges his duty to God and man, he will be accepted. A man in a state of servitude may so live as to honor God; and, so living, he should not be greatly solicitous about his condition. A master may fail to render suitable recompense to a slave. But, if the servant is faithful to God, he will…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 5-9Verses 5-9 The duty of servants is summed up in one word, obedience. The servants of old were generally slaves. The apostles were to teach servants and masters their duties, in doing which evils would be lessened, till slavery should be rooted out by the influence of Christianity. Servants are to reverence those over them. They are to be sincere; not pretending obedience when they mean to disobey, but serving faithfully. And they must serve their masters…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8The Bible uses the image of a master to describe the Lord’s authority over believers. He will reward those who are faithful (see 1 Corinthians 3:12–15).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. any man doeth--Greek, "any man shall have done," that is, shall be found at the Lord's coming to have done. the same--in full payment, in heaven's currency. shall ... receive--(2Co 5:10; Col 3:25; but all of grace, Lu 17:10). bond or free--(1Co 7:22; 12:13; Ga 3:28; Col 3:11). Christ does not regard such distinctions in His present dealings of grace, or in His future judgment. The slave that has acted faithfully for the Lord's sake to his master…Read the comment

Topics related to Ephesians 6:8

• God Continued...
• Judgment
• Liberty
• Obedience
• Respect of Persons
• Righteous
• Servant

In the dictionaries

• Ephesians, Epistle to
• Nurture
• Obey
• Provoke
• Wrestle
• Ephesians, Epistle to the
• Justification
• Slave; Slavery

Commentaries on Ephesians 6

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings