Paul continues the household code under the heading of being subject to one another in the fear of Christ, now addressing bondservants and masters in the first-century household. Slaves are commanded to obey their masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling, in the integrity of their heart, as to Christ, not by way of eyeservice as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ doing the will of God from the heart. Whatever good each one does, he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free. Masters are told to do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him. The passage does not bless the institution of slavery, nor does it treat verse 5 as if it stood alone. It places both the one under authority and the one who holds it before the same Lord, and calls the church to live that reality in whatever station God has assigned.