Ephesians 6:7 Meaning: Serving with Good Will for the Lord
with good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men,
With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
with good will doing service, as unto the Lord, and not unto men:
with good-will serving, as to the Lord, and not to men,
serving with good will as to the Lord, and not to men;
Meaning in one sentence
What does it mean to serve with good will as to the Lord? Discover how this verse transforms your work and service by focusing on God as your true Master.
Context
Paul is writing from prison, but his mind is on how believers live together. In this section of Ephesians, he turns to the household, husbands and wives, parents and children, masters and servants. For first-century slaves, daily life often meant hard labor under someone else's control. Some masters were kind; many were not. Paul does not pretend their situation is easy. Instead, he gives them a way to see their work differently. He tells them to obey their masters with singleness of heart, as if they were serving Christ himself. Verse 7 takes that command deeper: the service should not just be obedient but offered with genuine good will. The reason? Their real master is in heaven, and he sees every act of faithfulness, no matter who is watching on earth.
Key Words
The Greek word for “good will” here is eunoia. It means genuine kindness, a ready and cheerful disposition. Not the tight smile of someone forced to help, but an inward willingness that no outer circumstance can touch. The verb translated “doing service” is douleuontes, which comes from the word for a slave. Paul takes the lowest, most vulnerable role and fills it with dignity: you are not just serving a human master; you are serving kurios, the Lord. And “as to the Lord, and not to men” is not a dismissal of human relationships. It repositions them. The master you see is not your ultimate authority. The One who sees everything, even what is done in secret, is. That truth can change how you pick up a mop, answer an email, or do the task no one else wants.
How Christians Read This Verse
Across Christian traditions, this verse has been read as a call to inner transformation. Wesley (Methodist) said we should make every action of common life a sacrifice to God, having an eye to him in all things. Calvin (Reformed) noted that Paul contrasts good will with the suppressed indignation that often swells in a servant's heart. Matthew Henry (Presbyterian) emphasized avoiding eye-service, working only when someone is watching. Adam Clarke (Methodist) urged cheerfulness, taking up service not as a burden but as coming in the order of God's providence. Each tradition points to the same truth: the quality of our service depends on whom we are ultimately serving.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers take “not to men” as a command to ignore human authorities entirely. In fact, Paul is not canceling the relationship; he is reframing the motivation. The parallel in Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Our service is directed to God, but that does not mean we neglect our duties to those over us. Instead, it frees us to serve with integrity even when our human authority is unworthy.
Living This Out
Think of the person at work or home who makes demands without gratitude. Maybe they take credit for your effort or overlook your needs. Your natural response might be resentment or bare-minimum compliance. This verse invites you to stop looking at that person as your ultimate audience. Try this: before you start a task that feels thankless, whisper a short prayer. “Lord, I am doing this for You.” Then do it as well as you can, not for their approval, but for the One who sees. You are not pretending the injustice is okay. You are choosing to serve the Master who will set everything right.
Main takeaway: Serve God in all things with genuine goodwill, knowing that your true Master sees and values every act of faithful service done for His glory.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
When you help clean up your toys or set the table, you can do it with a happy heart because you are doing it for Jesus. He sees everything you do, even when no one else is watching.
For ages 9, 12
Maybe you have a teacher who is not very kind, or you do chores that feel boring. This verse says you can serve with good will, as if you are serving the Lord. That doesn't mean you pretend everything is fine. It means you choose to do your best because God is your real boss. He sees your effort and He is pleased. That can make even the hardest tasks feel meaningful.
Questions People Ask
What does 'good will' mean in Ephesians 6:7?
The Greek word 'eunoia' means genuine kindness, enthusiasm, and a ready disposition, not forced obedience but a cheerful willingness from the heart. It is the opposite of grudging service or resentment.
Does this verse mean I should never complain about my job or boss?
No. Paul is not commanding silence about injustice. He is addressing the inner attitude of the heart. You can work for change while still serving God faithfully in your current circumstances. The early church also spoke out against abuses, but here the focus is on your own response to God.
How is this verse different from just being a people-pleaser?
People-pleasers work hard only when someone is watching, to earn human approval. Paul warns against that in verse 6: 'not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers.' Serving 'as to the Lord' means doing your best even when no one sees, because you are working for an audience of One.
If my boss is unfair, how can I serve with good will?
You can acknowledge the injustice honestly, to yourself and to God, while choosing to serve anyway, because your true Master is just. Your good will comes from knowing Christ, not from pretending your boss deserves it. This is hard, but the same Spirit who raised Jesus gives you strength to serve faithfully in difficult places.
Does Ephesians 6:7 endorse slavery?
No. Paul is writing to slaves within the existing social structure; he is not endorsing slavery as a system. In fact, elsewhere he calls believers to treat each other as brothers and sisters in Christ (Philemon 1:16). The principle here is about serving God in whatever circumstances you find yourself. Historic Christianity eventually recognized that this principle points toward freedom for all.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study