No Partiality

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.  And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eye service, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.  And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; and there is no partiality with Him.’

Ephesians 6:1-9

Paul dedicates approximately one-sixth of the Book of Ephesians to the subject of submission.  Having discussed what it means to be filled with the Spirit, he transitions into the subject of submission by saying that the conclusion of our being filled with the Spirit is our ‘submitting to one another in the reverence of God.’  He goes on to describe what this submission looks like, using Christ as the example of the kind of leader whom we may confidently follow and to whom we can happily submit.  Having discussed the relationship of husbands and wives, he goes on to speak to children, parents, employees, and employers.  Paul includes everyone, and indicates that everyone has a role to play in ‘submitting to one another in the reverence of God.’  This means that children will behave appropriately toward parents, and that parents will not abuse their position.  It means that employees will discharge their responsibilities and that employers will treat employees with respect.  The final reason he gives is that ‘there is no partiality with Him.’  God is the Ultimate Master and will see to it that justice is done.  Therefore, with Christ as our pattern, we may with reverence to God continue, ‘submitting to one another.’

Our Wise and Holy God,
we rejoice that You are utterly impartial.
We praise You, that You lead us to imitate Christ,
regardless of our station in life.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning