As in the case of “fathers” in verse 4, it may be necessary here to say “I am speaking now to those of you who are slaves,” or, more simply, “You who are slaves.”

This verse is quite similar to Colossians 3.22 (see the Handbook on Colossians). Human masters translates “masters according to the flesh.”

In some languages it may be completely misleading to speak of human masters, since the equivalent of masters is “owner,” and certainly all owners of slaves were human beings. Accordingly, it may be less confusing to translate “obey your master” or “obey your owners.”

The bound phrase fear and trembling occurs also in 1 Corinthians 2.3; 2 Corinthians 7.15; Philippians 2.12 (and see the related verbs in Mark 5.23). New International Version, Barclay translate “respect and fear”; Jerusalem Bible “deep respect.” This phrase is essentially a type of idiom indicating respect and obedience, and therefore it may be appropriate to translate it as “you should respect your owners and obey them completely.”

A sincere heart translates “in singleness of heart,” that is, sincerely, honestly, with no ulterior motive or hidden intention. In a number of instances the meaning may be best expressed negatively, for example, “without just pretending to do so” or “without making your owners just think that you respect them.”

As though you were serving Christ translates the Greek “as to Christ” (Revised Standard Version), that is, with the same attitude that obedience to Christ requires. Beare takes the phrase to mean “viewing it as service done to Christ.” Abbott comments “so that your service to your master is regarded as service to Christ.” Translator’s New Testament translates “as you would to Christ”; New International Version “just as you would obey Christ.” The translation should not imply that the writer is doubtful whether the Christian slaves’ obedience to Christ is a fact; obedience to Christ is the standard by which to measure obedience to human masters.

As though you were serving Christ may be translated as “you should do what they say, even as you would do what Christ says” or “… do as Christ says.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert C. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1982. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .