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Scripture Topic Guide

Bible Verses About Servants And Masters

Early Christian writings teach that servants should obey their masters with respect, honesty, and sincerity, while masters must act with fairness, kindness, and no threats. Ignatius, Clement of Alexandria, the Apostolic Constitutions, Peter of Alexandria, and the Didache all repeat this basic pattern, and the Bible passages in Ephesians, Colossians, Titus, 1 Peter, and 1 Timothy give the main scriptural basis.

The evidence is broad and consistent across the second and third centuries, though some texts stress duty more on the servant side and others stress restraint and justice on the master side. Peter of Alexandria also applies this teaching to Christian masters who forced slaves to sacrifice, showing that abuse of power was condemned, not blessed. A few cards are only weakly related or use the word “master” in another sense, so they are left out of the main view.

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1 Ephesians 6:5 2 Colossians 3:22 3 1 Peter 2:18 4 Titus 2:9 5 Colossians 4:1 6 1 Timothy 6:2 7 1 Timothy 6:1 8 Ephesians 6:9 9 Exodus 21:4

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9 references

Supporting Passages

Ephesians 6:5 primary

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;

Primary Bible passage for servant obedience

Colossians 3:22

Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God;

Bible passage linking service to the Lord

1 Peter 2:18

Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

Primary Bible passage on submissive servants

Titus 2:9

Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;

Related Bible text for servant duty under masters

Colossians 4:1

Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

Bible passage naming the same Master in heaven

1 Timothy 6:2

And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

Supports special case of believing masters

1 Timothy 6:1

Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

Bible passage honoring masters and God

Ephesians 6:9

And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

Bible passage with same master in heaven

Exodus 21:4

If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.