Ephesians

This term I am studying Ephesians for Advanced Bible Study Methods.  I'm working on my 15th assignment this term and I just realized that, although God has been showing me a lot, I haven't shared any of it!  So here's just a little glimpse...

"And masters, do the same things to them..." (Ephesians 6:9)

Paul begins to address how being a child of God should look in our outward relationships half way through chapter 5.  Ephesians 5:21 says, "and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ." 

He then demonstrates what this looks like in the marital relationship between husband and wife, then in the familial relationship of parents and children.  He also demonstrates this in the relationship between slaves and masters.

Being subject to one another when you're speaking to slaves makes sense.  Telling them that this means being obedient - that's just logical.  But then Paul tells the masters to "do the same things to them."  Who is "them?"  Their slaves.  What are "the same things?"  Being obedient and being subject.

Hold up!  Masters are supposed to be obedient and subject to their slaves?  Well, that appears to be what Paul is saying! 

Have you ever wondered why God doesn't condemn slavery in the Bible?  Maybe this is why... Because slavery, done God's way, is a beautiful image of our relationship with Him (after all, doesn't Paul choose to be a bond-servant of Christ?).  Slavery the way we understand it today flies in the face of the picture Paul is painting.  But slavery, done God's way, can be beautiful.