Ephesians 6:9

“And ye masters do the same things unto them, &c.] This does not refer to service and obedience, but to singleness of heart, benevolence, humanity, and a regard to Christ, and the will of God, and to the doing of good things, and to the performance of their duty, as they would have their servants do theirs; whose duty, if religious masters, is, with respect to their souls, to instruct them in, and use them to religious exercises, to pray with them, and for them, to set them good examples, to prevent them falling into, bad company, and to allow them proper time for religious duties; and with respect to their bodies, and outward concerns, to provide sufficient food and proper raiment for them,…”

“the same things--Mutatis mutandis. Show the same regard to God's will, and to your servants' well-being, in your relation to them, as they ought to have in their relation to you. Love regulates the duties both of servants and masters, as one and the same light attempers various colors. Equality of nature and faith is superior to distinctions of rank [BENGEL]. Christianity makes all men brothers: compare Lev 25:42-43; Deu 15:12; Jer 34:14 as to how the Hebrews were bound to treat their brethren in service; much more ought Christians to act with love. threatening--Greek, "the threatening" which masters commonly use. "Masters" in the Greek, is not so strong a term as "despots": it implies…”

“And, ye masters - The object of this is, to secure for servants a proper treatment. It is evident, from this, that there were in the Christian church those who were “masters;” and the most obvious interpretation is, that they were the owners of slaves. Some such persons would be converted, as such are now. Paul did not say that they could not be Christians. He did not say that they should he excluded at once from the communion. He did not hold them up to reproach, or use harsh and severe language in regard to them. He taught them their duty toward those who were under them, and laid down principles which, if followed, would lead ultimately to universal freedom. Do the same things unto them -…”

“Do the same things to them - That is, act toward them from the same principle. Forbearing threatening - Behaving with gentleness and humanity, not in a harsh or domineering way. Ephesians 6:10”

“6:9 in the same way: That is, with integrity and concern for their welfare (see Col 4:1). • Don’t threaten them: Christian masters, too, will be held accountable by the same Master in heaven for their lives on earth. Pleasing him requires treating their slaves humanely and kindly. • he has no favorites: God judges all people by the same standard (see Deut 10:17; Acts 10:34; Rom 2:11; Col 3:25).”

“ye: Lev 19:13, Lev 25:39-46; Deu 15:11-16, Deu 24:14, Deu 24:15; Neh 5:5, Neh 5:8, Neh 5:9; Job 24:10-12; Job 31:13-15; Isa 47:6, Isa 58:3-6; Amo 8:4-7; Mal 3:5; Col 4:1; Jam 5:4 the same: Eph 6:5-7; Mat 7:12; Luk 6:31; Jam 2:8, Jam 2:13 forbearing: or, moderating, Lev 25:43; Sa1 15:17; Dan 3:6, Dan 3:15, Dan 5:19, Dan 5:20 knowing: Psa 140:12; Ecc 5:8; Mat 22:8, Mat 22:10, Mat 24:48, Mat 24:51; Luk 12:45, Luk 12:46; Joh 13:13; Co1 7:22 your Master: Some read, both your and their Master. Co1 1:2; Phi 2:10, Phi 2:11 neither: Act 10:34; Rom 2:11; Col 3:25 Ephesians 6:10”