Under Authority, Under Christ
Last week we tackled the broader and more controversial topic of slavery in the Bible. If the question is whether the Bible condones slavery, the answer is nuanced. Scripture restricts slavery, placing limitations upon its use in such a way that it unequivocally condemns the type of slavery that was practiced in our nation’s history.
But, I also mentioned the connection to relationships between superiors and inferiors. The obvious example is employers and employees, but the Westminster Divines also recognize the relationship between church officers and members (Heb. 13:7; Phil. 3:13). So this really applies to all of us whether we are at home, work, or church.
Pray & Read Ephesians 4:5-8.
In the late 18th century, Jeremy Bentham conceived of the perfect prison. A cylindrical structure with a central guard tower allowed three guards to oversee 288 cells. Each guard was stationed on an interior surveillance deck that oversaw two levels of cells. The guards could see the prisoners, but the prisoners could not see the guards. So, theoretically, they would have to act as if they were always being watched.
Bentham called it the Panopticon (“all-seeing”). This concept would reform prisons by substantially reducing the cost and improving prisoner compliance. He thought his idea could work in factories, schools, and hospitals too.
This makes a lot of sense. Students pay attention when the teacher looks their way. Drivers slow down when they see the police. We make more of an effort when others are watching.
Our obedience is often driven by appearances, convenience, or self-interest instead of sincere devotion to the Lord.
Christian obedience to earthly superiors must be wholehearted, consistent, and ultimately directed to Christ.
- Obedience Reoriented (5-6)
- Obedience Redirected (7-8)
Obedience Reoriented (5-6)
These verses address the character and the audience of obedience. There is a correlation between the inward motivation and the outward performance. The key word that connects both verses in the ESV is “heart”. Although the Greek uses two different words, both terms refer to the internal sense of purpose that drives the actions.
Sincere Heart (5)
We assume “fear and trembling” refers to a servile fear, but Paul uses the phrase three more times (1 Cor. 2:3; 2 Cor. 7:15; Phil. 2:12). In each case, there is a direct relationship with the character of obedience. He is not telling them to be terrified of their master, but to show deference and proper respect to him in their obedience.
Paul further defines his point in the next phrase, “with a sincere heart.” This is just as often translated “generous”—which implies holding nothing back. Do the work as if it were being done for Christ. This elevates the importance of even the most mundane work. No matter what we are doing, we are to “work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Col. 3:23).
True Audience (6)
Paul makes the same point by discouraging its negative counterparts. He lists two ways we distort genuine obedience. Instead of doing our best in every situation, we offer “eye-service”—working only when we’re being watched. We only bring our best work when we are under direct supervision.
The other distortion is related. “People-pleasers” only do their best when they receive encouragement. They only want to do the work that gets noticed. Once they figure that out what that is, they will slack on everything else.
The correction to both of these distortions is the recognition that your true audience is Christ. Christian obedience begins when Christ replaces human approval as the true audience of our work.
The Panopticon as Metaphor
Over 300 prisons were built upon Jeremy Bentham’s Panopticon model. Most are no longer functioning. In terms of physical structures, the concept never really caught on. However, in 1975, Michel Foucault used the Panopticon as a metaphor of modern video surveillance. Since we are potentially being watched all the time, we have learned to effectively guard ourselves.
And now, we willingly place ourselves under the constant watch of Apple, Samsung, Google, social media apps, smartphones, and smartwatches. But instead of feeling horrified by constant surveillance—that gives vibes of George Orwell’s 1984—we brag about our follower count or how many steps our watch tracked today. Combine this with data collection and AI and we need to seriously pump the brakes.
The reality is, people do tend to work harder when they believe they are being observed. However, through our tech gadgets, we’ve given just about everyone access to the Eye of Sauron. Instead of one superior occasionally observing us, we’ve invited all of society to police our thoughts, speech, and actions.
From Work to Worship
All of this broadens the application of this text beyond work to worship. We ought to think not only about the quality of our work when superiors are away, but of the sincerity of our obedience when the world ignores us. If we desire more followers, likes, and views—which audience are we living for? Are we seeking the applause of the world, or the promises of Christ?
“The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mt. 20:28). He did not render eye-service to the Father, but was perfectly obedient—even unto death (Phil. 2:8). He did not minister to others in order to please the crowd, but to please his Father and fulfill his mission.
When Jesus is your audience, your work becomes worship.That is not to suggest that you idolize your job, but you offer yourself as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship (Rom. 12:1-2).
This is the reorientation of obedience. Once we serve Christ with a wholehearted devotion in everything that we do, it changes the way we obey every other authority. This is true even if we are serving someone who is unjust (1 Pt. 2:18). We do not join in their corruption, but we obey their lawful commands. This reorientation also changes the way we approach all kinds of work. Nothing is beneath us. Even the most mundane task can be done with sincerity to honor Christ.
If we did this, we would effectively eliminate the frustrations that build up at work. We know that Christ’s yoke is easy, his burden is light (Mt. 11:30). Even if our earthly master is demanding and overbearing, we can serve with a calm and sincere commitment. We do not have to satisfy their unreasonable expectations, but we can offer our best work given the time and resources that we have.
Since this entire passage has an internal posture in view, we know that our reorientation is only possible because of the spirit who dwells in our hearts.
This means that our obedience is not only reoriented, but it is also…
Obedience Redirected (7-8)
Redirecting obedience to Christ does not minimize the authority structure, it supports it. It does not eliminate or replace earthly submission; it magnifies its importance (Titus 2:9-10). We are no longer simply obeying our superior for temporal benefits, but we are serving our heavenly Lord for eternal rewards (2 Cor. 5:10).
But before focusing on the future reward, Paul addresses…
The Attitude (7)
This moves beyond offering obedience with sincerity and purpose into the disposition we have. “Good will” implies an eagerness, a willingness—it is offering glad-hearted service. You can obey respectfully, maybe even wholeheartedly, while still holding on to a root of bitterness.
Through past years of neglect or abuse many develop a resentful posture toward other authority figures in their life. It is helpful to understand where that resentment is coming from, but it is equally important to seek the Lord’s help in replacing it with a willing spirit.
Maybe you have grown cynical about people in general. You assume there is an ulterior motive behind every gesture of kindness. Out of a childhood need to protect yourself from pain, you developed a default attitude that considers people guilty until they prove themselves innocent.
It can be difficult to “render service with a good will” because you feel like it will not be received or reciprocated in kind. So, in order to protect your heart, you offer a passive-aggressive service.
Passive Progressive
Have you seen those Passive Progressive Insurance commercials? Molly goes on vacation with her friends and they’re laying out by the pool. Hannah shares how she saved hundreds of dollars by switching to Progressive. Molly responds, “That’s so great. Maybe you can buy a bigger sun hat. You know, if they make one.” Over dinner their other friend shares how easy it is to work with her agent online or over the phone. Molly looks back at the first friend and says, “See Hannah, she can be laid back.” Then they get into the room and she says, “I’m so happy you didn’t blow your savings upgrading to a better room. Oh look, they do have rooms with balconies. Lucky!” It’s a great commercial, but a terrible approach to friendship.
Passive-aggressive attitudes can be devastating in the church. Peter Scazzero refers to them it as an immature response to conflict. Instead of addressing frustrations or concerns openly, they are dealt with indirectly. What does this look like in practice?
- Molly was fond of using frequent sarcasm. Biting comments are shared with a smirk or a false laugh. If you often apologize with, “I’m just kidding,” you’re probably more passive-aggressive than you think.
- The silent treatment is regularly used to avoid conflict.
- When someone says, “There are a lot of people in the church that think X, Y, and Z.” First, people should speak for themselves. Second, if ‘a lot’ of people are concerned about something, I should hear it from more than one person.
These are a few common forms of dealing with conflict in a passive-aggressive manner. Instead of naming the issue that has made them angry, sad, or fearful, they use these tactics to force others to ask what’s wrong. When this attitude infects the church, division and discord are sure to result.
But the hope expressed in v.8 can directly impact our attitude!
The Hope (8)
The reward is given as a way to stabilize and guard us against a sense of despair. Hope is what fuels a positive and encouraging attitude. Knowing that we will be the recipients of a future reward sustains our present obedience. Without v.8, v.7 can feel crushing, but v.8 makes it sustaining.
This hope of a future reward is the reason we can overlook wrongs. It’s why we don’t need to address every minor offense. It’s the reason we can endure injustice, lack of recognition, or thankless labor/volunteer work. Many of you serve behind the scenes and rarely get the recognition you deserve. The hope of v.8 alleviates the pain of that reality.
Why We Serve With Joy
Christ did not serve us begrudgingly, but willingly. Hebrews says, “for the joy set before him, he endured the cross.” He renders service to us still as our High Priest—and he does so eagerly. It is our goal to reflect Him.
These verses makes the connection apparent between our attitude and our hope. We can serve with a good attitude because we trust in a good reward. This future heavenly reward is what is promised on the day of judgment for all believers (2 Cor. 5:10). Instead of grumbling about the work we’ve been assigned (or volunteered for), we can redirect our focus to the day of judgment when we will receive back much more than we could ever earn.
Think about all of the things we do for an earthly prize. Athletes endure years of painful practice in the hopes of enjoying a moment of glory. When the reward is infinitely valuable, whatever tasks we perform will be much more enjoyable.
Think about this promise the next time you are doing something you really don’t like. For me, that’s responding to email messages. It’s not that I have to respond to people I know who are reaching out. It’s that those important messages are mixed in with a never-ending list of unimportant messages. The next time I open my email, I’m going to focus on having a good attitude knowing that the Lord will reward me with an eternity that is email-free!
While we don’t do a good job in order to have the most rewards in heaven, this passage clearly motivates us with the promise of receiving rewards. It is appropriate to want the gift that Jesus offers. Paul makes it the basis of our joy. And since we have Christ’s Spirit within us—we know that he is transforming our desires—redirecting them toward heavenly treasures.
Conclusion
We might summarize the passage like this:
- Christ sees.
- Christ remembers.
- Christ rewards.
Therefore, no obedience is wasted.