In Authority, Under Christ
Two weeks ago we introduced this passage and addressed the topic of slavery in the Bible. I explained how Scripture’s teaching in both the Old and New Testaments unequivocally condemns the abuses of the African slave trade. Even though the Bible does not outright condemn slavery in general, it promoted and established principles that led to its abolition.
Last week, we focused on the broader relationship between superiors and inferiors, emphasizing the internal reorientation and redirection Christians experience regarding obedience. This week we focus on Paul’s instruction to superiors. To be clear, I’m not suggesting that the situation between employers and employees is the same as it was between masters and slaves, but there are some necessary implications that apply universally. It’s good for us to take the time to draw those out without assuming one-for-one correspondence with the relationship between masters and slaves.
Pray & Read Ephesians 6:9.
It seems like several times each year we hear about another pastor’s moral failure. It’s not that pastors fall into these sins at a higher rate than those in other professions, but due to their vocation—their example is particularly egregious.
The Westminster Larger Catechism 151 speaks of ways that some sins are more heinous than others. One of the things that aggravates sin is the “office” of the offending person.
A pastor’s abuse of his spiritual authority should be judged more harshly than the same sin committed by a member of the church. Their position of spiritual oversight gives them a greater responsibility to set an example of being above reproach. Scripture is clear about the accountability all of us need. Those in authority will not receive special treatment. As we see in the gospels, it was the religious authorities who received Jesus’s harshest rebukes and warnings about how they were misleading others.
Authority figures often find it easier to wield power for themselves rather than use it for the good of those under them.
Those with authority must lead with grace because they will stand on equal footing before the same impartial Lord.
- The Practice of Christian Authority
- The Accountability of Christian Authority
The Practice of Christian Authority
What does Paul mean by “do the same to them”? He previously told servants to obey their earthly masters as if they were obeying Christ (vv.6-7). He’s not reversing the roles and suggesting that masters obey their servants. But there is an acknowledgment of reciprocity. Just as Paul addressed the attitude and actions of the bondservant, he expects the masters to think about their responsibility in light of their relationship to Christ. He’s telling them to treat their servants with kindness and to do them good (v.8), because they have the same Lord in heaven. As we worship the same Lord, we begin to reflect his attribute, regardless of our station in life.
This implies the negation of its opposite—which is to stop treating them bad. In Col. 4:1, Paul tells masters to treat their bondservants fairly and justly. It is difficult to treat your servants well if you are always threatening to punish them. This same term is found several times in Acts speaking of the religious leaders who “warn” the disciples not to preach in the name of Jesus anymore (Acts 4:17). The disciples respond to their “threats” (Acts 4:29) with prayer—asking the Lord to grant them to speak God’s word with “all boldness”. It is also used to refer to Paul who was “breathing out threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1).
The charge for masters to cease threatening their bondservants is consistent with Leviticus 25:43, “You shall not rule over him ruthlessly but shall fear your God.” This correction was unheard of in Asia Minor at that time.
- Servants would not have been addressed at all.
- Masters would not have been discouraged from overexerting their authority however they saw fit.
Threats Do Not Work
Threats are the easiest and lowest form of leadership. If you have to threaten your subordinates with the consequences of doing a poor job, you have either lost their trust or you never had it in the first place. If you only get the reaction you want when you warn of punishment, you are not leading but lording it over your inferiors. This is the lowest form of leadership because it’s what children do when they don’t get their way. Instead of convincing people to follow, the bully threatens severe consequence for anyone who refuses to follow.
That strategy is almost guaranteed to produce fearfully compliant employees who are risk averse. Instead of coming up with creative solutions that have the potential for making a dramatic impact upon the company, they will seek to stay under the radar. They will avoid getting any attention when they regularly see negative attention given.
Good managers get the best work out of their employees, not by giving them a paycheck, but by motivating them. The best employees do their work with a higher purpose in mind. They want to accomplish something bigger than themselves—to have a meaningful impact upon the world. That is not to suggest we only pursue work in cutting edge fields. Sometimes, a better waste management company can drastically improve the world. Threats of punishment are not nearly as motivating as a vision of a better world. Threats may produce short-term compliance, but they destroy initiative, risk-taking, and true discipleship. In the end, threats merely achieve an outward and temporary conformity, rather than the heart change that can have a lasting impact.
Leading For the Good of Others
Christian masters in Asia Minor needed to think about their authority differently than their culture thought about it. They should think about how the love of Christ changed their treatment of others. When we apply this more broadly, we see the need to consider the needs of those under us, not merely how their work supports my financial goals.
How do you lead without threatening punishment? I don’t think Paul is saying you should never warn your inferiors. There are consequences for poor behavior. But some think that leadership implies a heavy hand. Every command is followed by a stern warning. Rather than motivating a strong work ethic, this approach typically leads to frustration. I say typically because there was an Australian swimmer, Ariarne Titmus, who was particularly motivated by her coach’s ranting.
Would you rather work with the constant reminder that your failures will trigger a heated response, or with the promise that your good behavior will be appropriately rewarded? What’s more successful, the carrot or the stick? Just as the loving father does not walk around with “the rod” threatening to use it at any moment, so the good master does not lead by threat. I’m not saying it’s never appropriate. In fact, it’s necessary at times. But it can be detrimental if it is the only tool in our behavior management tool belt.
Jesus flipped the tables of the money changers in the temple, but he didn’t do that everywhere he went. That wasn’t his default mode of leadership. If it were, it is hard to imagine how he would have had anything more than a raging mob following him. Jesus told his disciples not to lord it over their followers like Gentile rulers (Mt. 20:25-28).
Those who are in positions of authority should lead for the good of those they serve. This requires getting to know them and treating everyone according to their individual gifts and needs. Good leadership seeks to improve the lives of everyone under them—which builds ownership for the overall project.
The practice of Christian authority is followed by…
The Accountability of Christian Authority
Those who are in authority should know that we all have one ultimate Authority in heaven. Everyone is spiritually equal in the covenant community. We can understand this either as a warning or a reminder. If Paul’s issuing a warning, isn’t he doing what he just told them not to do? “Don’t threaten your servants! You both have the same judge watching and he is eager to punish you.” This is one way he can hold masters accountable, but there is another—more effective—way to handle the situation.
Masters can treat their servants well because they all serve under the same Lord who shows no partiality. The word literally means “to receive the face,” it has to do with treating someone special because you recognize them. Jesus does not treat people according to their class.
Masters will stand before their heavenly Master on the day of judgment without any advantages over their servants. Jesus will judge everyone according to their deeds, not their status. Paul reminds masters that before God there are no superiors and inferiors—all are servants.
Special Treatment for Social Elites
To show special deference for social elites—the rich and famous—is the American way. Our obsession with fame is what drives the careers of celebrities and superstar athletes. They get the benefit of the doubt in the court of public opinion, whenever heinous allegations are made against them.
Sexual misconduct will kill a pastor’s ministry, as it should, but it’s considered par for the course for members of congress. Apparently, there is a slush fund (that has existed since 1995, and paid for by our tax dollars!) for congressmen who need to pay off those who accuse them of sexual misconduct. I had no idea this fund existed, nor do I have any clue how much has been spent from the fund. But, this is the perfect example of authority without accountability. Those who need accountability the most tend to find ways to evade it.
We Trust in the Name of the Lord
Not only should we acknowledge that Jesus is the ultimate Master, but we should also see Jesus as the ultimate example. Jesus gained followers throughout his ministry, then lost the popular vote by a landslide to Barabbas! They shouted for his death when they realized he was not going to give them the political power they wanted. And this Jesus, now sits at the right hand of the Father—who has given him “all authority in heaven and on earth!”
And what does Jesus do with his omnipotent authority? He fulfills his office as the King of kings. He subdues us to himself, He rules and defends us, He restrains and conquers all his and our enemies (WSC 26).
For the LORD is our judge; the LORD is our lawgiver; the LORD is our king; he will save us.
Isaiah 33:22
Paul is not threatening Masters with a reminder that they will face the same judge in the future. Rather, he is pointing them to the greatest example of authority he possibly can. If you want to know how to treat those under you, look to Christ! That implies you should not look to politicians, celebrities, or even pastors—because they will fail you time and time again.
Showing partiality is purely selfish. To give someone favor or disfavor based upon a superficial characteristic reflects a desire to gain personal influence. Jesus rules without any partiality whatsoever. He shows no bias to the rich and famous or the political elites. His throne is a throne of justice.
And Christians should mirror Christ in their use of the authority that He has graciously bestowed upon them (Deut 10:17–18; 2 Chr 19:7; Acts 10:34; Rom 2:11; Col 3:25; 1 Pet 1:17; cf. Jas 2:1–5). We must have an eternal perspective that has a drastic impact upon the way we wield power.
Since God shows no partiality, neither should we. Rather than look on the outside, we should seek to understand the motives beneath the actions. We long for the day when accountability will no longer be necessary. But, until then, let us look to Christ and use any authority we have for the good of those under us!