Bible Strands
Ephesians 6:8
because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses Christian slaves and masters in the letter's closing section, concluding the household instructions with a statement on divine accountability.
The words — ἕκαστος (hekastos) means "each one," and ποιήσῃ (poiēsē) means "he shall do," specifying that the promised reward applies to individual deeds rather than group identity.
The thread — The text aligns with Colossians 3:24, which states believers will receive an inheritance from the Lord as reward, and Luke 14:14, which records Jesus promising repayment at the resurrection for aiding those who cannot repay. Proverbs 11:18 contrasts this by stating the wicked earns an empty wage while the one who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.
Why it lands — The verse requires readers to perform good works with the explicit expectation of divine recompense, treating service to the Lord as the operative motive regardless of social status.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
Cross-references
- Colossians 3:24 because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
- Luke 14:14 and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
- Proverbs 11:18 The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.
- Matthew 6:4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
- Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.
- 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.
- Matthew 10:41 Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.
- Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
- Proverbs 23:18 For surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.
- Matthew 5:12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.