In Ephesians 6:5–9, the Apostle Paul delivers a timeless truth: God shows no partiality. Whether we are employees or employers, working under supervision or providing leadership, God cares deeply about how we live, lead, and love—and He doesn’t play favorites.

Paul writes:

“Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.” (Ephesians 6:5–9)

Let’s break this down with a heart to apply what God says to our lives today.

1. Working with a Sincere Heart

Paul begins by addressing bondservants, or in today’s context, employees or those under authority. He encourages obedience, not merely out of duty or fear, but from a sincere heart—“as you would Christ.” That’s powerful.

It’s not about impressing your boss when they’re watching. It’s about doing everything with excellence as if Jesus Himself was the one signing your paycheck. Paul uses phrases like “not by way of eye-service” and “as people-pleasers” because he knew human nature. We all know what it’s like to work hard when someone’s watching and slack off when they’re not. But God is always watching—and more than that, He’s working in us as we work.

This mindset transforms ordinary tasks into worship. The mundane becomes meaningful when it’s done as service to the Lord. Whether you’re folding clothes, managing a shift, teaching a class, or leading a project, if it’s done from the heart and unto Christ, it matters to God.

2. Doing the Will of God from the Heart

Paul’s words drive at the root issue: motivation. “Doing the will of God from the heart” means our work should come from a place of purpose. God doesn’t just care about what we do—He cares about why we do it.

God’s will isn’t limited to Sunday mornings or full-time ministry. It includes your Monday morning meetings, your carpools, your customer service calls. If God has placed you somewhere, there is kingdom purpose there. And if you’ll approach that place with a surrendered heart, He will use it—and you—in powerful ways.

3. God Sees and Rewards

Verse 8 is a beautiful encouragement: “Knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord.” Nothing you do for the Lord goes unnoticed. People might forget to say thank you. You may not get the raise or the recognition. But God sees. He knows. And He rewards.

This promise levels the playing field. Paul says it applies to everyone—“whether he is a bondservant or is free.” That means whether you’re the newest hire or the CEO, God rewards faithfulness, not title.

4. To the Bosses: Do the Same

Paul then turns his attention to the masters—employers, managers, business owners. And what does he say? “Do the same to them.” In other words, leaders aren’t exempt from God’s expectations. Just because you’re in authority doesn’t mean you get to ignore the principle of sincerity and service.

Paul goes further: “Stop your threatening.” That sounds strong, but Paul is serious about integrity in leadership. Godly leadership is not about intimidation; it’s about inspiration. It’s about using your influence to bless and uplift, not to control or coerce.

Good leaders understand they’re not the top of the chain—God is. “He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven,” Paul reminds them. You may be the boss on paper, but you’re still under authority.

5. God Shows No Partiality

This final phrase drives the point home: “There is no partiality with Him.”

God doesn’t favor based on income, position, skin color, or social status. He doesn’t play favorites, and He doesn’t promote based on worldly influence. He judges the heart. He sees the effort. He honors humility.

In God’s economy, the faithful janitor may have more spiritual authority than the prideful executive. He lifts the lowly and humbles the proud. That should give all of us hope and cause all of us to walk in humility.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re an employee, employer, parent, teacher, student, or servant in the church, God cares about how you walk. And He doesn’t just want obedience—He wants sincerity. He doesn’t just want performance—He wants your heart.

Work with honor. Lead with humility. Serve with joy.

Because at the end of the day, we all answer to the same Master—and He’s watching, not to punish, but to reward those who walk the walk with integrity and love.

There is no partiality with God.