Which phrase captures the instruction to masters in Ephesians 6:9?

Which phrase captures the instruction to masters in Ephesians 6:9?

• A. Slaves should seek freedom from their masters at the first chance.
• B. Slaves owe obedience but masters have no responsibility.
• C. Masters should always punish badly to keep order.
• D. Masters should treat their slaves in the same way, without threatening, knowing that both have a Master in heaven.

Answer: (D)

The instruction to masters in this passage centers on how those in authority should exercise power: with fair, non-threatening treatment toward those under them, and with a recognition that both share the same higher Master in heaven. This means leadership isn’t about intimidation or harsh discipline, but about righteous conduct that reflects God’s standards. The reason this is the best statement is that it directly conveys both the action required (“treat them in the same way; do not threaten them”) and the grounding reason (“you know that both you and they have a Master in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him”). In context, Paul is redefining relationships within the household by applying the gospel: authority should be tempered by accountability to God, and there should be fairness rather than coercive power. The other ideas diverge from this emphasis on fair, nonthreatening leadership and shared accountability before God, which is why they don’t fit as well.

The instruction to masters in this passage centers on how those in authority should exercise power: with fair, non-threatening treatment toward those under them, and with a recognition that both share the same higher Master in heaven. This means leadership isn’t about intimidation or harsh discipline, but about righteous conduct that reflects God’s standards. The reason this is the best statement is that it directly conveys both the action required (“treat them in the same way; do not threaten them”) and the grounding reason (“you know that both you and they have a Master in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him”). In context, Paul is redefining relationships within the household by applying the gospel: authority should be tempered by accountability to God, and there should be fairness rather than coercive power. The other ideas diverge from this emphasis on fair, nonthreatening leadership and shared accountability before God, which is why they don’t fit as well.