Ephesians 6:8

Amplified Bible

knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive this back from the Lord, whether [he is] slave or free.

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
Remember that the Lord will give everyone a reward for doing good. Everyone, slave or free, will get a reward for the good things they do.

Revised Standard Version
knowing that whatever good any one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
And remember that whatsoever good thinge eny man doeth that shall he receave agayne of the Lorde whether he be bonde or fre.

Hebrew Names Version
knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free.

New American Standard Bible
knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive this back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

New Century Version
Remember that the Lord will give a reward to everyone, slave or free, for doing good.

Update Bible Version
knowing that whatever good thing each one does, the same he shall receive again from the Lord, whether slave or free.

Webster's Bible Translation
Knowing that whatever good thing any man doeth, the same will he receive from the Lord, whether [he be] bond or free.

English Standard Version
knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.

World English Bible
knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Knowing that whatsoever good each man doth, the same shall he receive from the Lord, whether he be a servant or free.

Weymouth's New Testament
You well know that whatever right thing any one does, he will receive a requital for it from the Lord, whether he is a slave or a free man.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
witinge that ech man, what euere good thing he schal do, he schal resseyue this of the Lord, whether seruaunt, whether fre man.

English Revised Version
knowing that whatsoever good thing each one doeth, the same shall he receive again from the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

Berean Standard Bible
because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.

Contemporary English Version
You know that you will be rewarded for any good things you do, whether you are slaves or free.

American Standard Version
knowing that whatsoever good thing each one doeth, the same shall he receive again from the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

Bible in Basic English
In the knowledge that for every good thing anyone does, he will have his reward from the Lord, If he is a servant or if he is free.

Complete Jewish Bible
Remember that whoever does good work, whether he be a slave or a free man, will be rewarded by the Lord.

Darby Translation
knowing that whatever good each shall do, this he shall receive of [the] Lord, whether bond or free.

International Standard Version
For you know that everyone will receive a reward from the Lord for whatever good he has done, whether he is a slave or free.Romans 2:6; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11,24;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
knowing that whatever good a man doeth he is rewarded by our Lord, whether he be a servant or a son of freedom.

Murdock Translation
knowing that whatever good thing a man may do, the same will be recompensed to him by our Lord, whether he be a servant or a free man.

King James Version (1611)
Knowing that whatsoeuer good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receiue of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

New Living Translation
Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.

New Life Bible
Remember this, whatever good thing you do, the Lord will pay you for it. It is the same to the Lord if you are a servant owned by someone or if you work for pay.

New Revised Standard
knowing that whatever good we do, we will receive the same again from the Lord, whether we are slaves or free.

Geneva Bible (1587)
And knowe ye that whatsoeuer good thing any man doeth, that same shall he receiue of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

George Lamsa Translation
Knowing that whatever good thing any man does, the same shall he receive from our LORD, whether he be a slave or a freeman.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Knowing that, each one, whatsoever he may do that is good, the same, shall he receive back from the Lord, whether bond or free.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man shall do, the same shall he receive from the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Knowyng, that whatsoeuer good thyng any man doeth, that shall he receaue agayne of the Lorde, whether [he be] bonde or free.

Good News Translation
Remember that the Lord will reward each of us, whether slave or free, for the good work we do.

Christian Standard Bible®
knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord.

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.

Lexham English Bible
because you know that each one of you, whatever good he should do, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

Literal Translation
each one knowing that whatever good thing he does, this he shall receive from the Lord, whether a slave or a freeman.

Young's Literal Translation
having known that whatever good thing each one may do, this he shall receive from the Lord, whether servant or freeman.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
and be sure, that what good soeuer a man doth, he shal reaceaue it agayne of the LORDE, whether he be bonde or fre.

Mace New Testament (1729)
and not to men: considering that whatever good any man doth, he shall be rewarded for it by the Lord, whether he be a slave or free.

New English Translation
because you know that each person, whether slave or free, if he does something good, this will be rewarded by the Lord.

New King James Version
knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

Simplified Cowboy Version
In the end, we will all receive the reward for the work we've done, regardless if we are slaves or not.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

Legacy Standard Bible
knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

Contextual Overview

¹Children, obey your parents in the Lord [that is, accept their guidance and discipline as His representatives], for this is right [for obedience teaches wisdom and self-discipline]. ²HONOR [esteem, value as precious] YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER [and be respectful to them]—this is the first commandment with a promise— ³SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY HAVE A LONG LIFE ON THE EARTH. ⁴Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by showing favoritism or indifference to any of them], but bring them up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. ⁵Slaves, be obedient to those who are your earthly masters, with respect for authority, and with a sincere heart [seeking to please them], as [service] to Christ— ⁶not in the way of eye-service [working only when someone is watching you and only] to please men, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart; ⁷rendering service with goodwill, as to the Lord, and not [only] to men, ⁸knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive this back from the Lord, whether [he is] slave or free.⁹You masters, do the same [showing goodwill] toward them, and give up threatening and abusive words, knowing that [He who is] both their true Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with Him [regardless of one's earthly status].

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

whatsoever: Proverbs 11:18, Proverbs 23:18, Isaiah 3:11, Matthew 5:12, Matthew 6:1, Matthew 6:4, Matthew 10:41, Matthew 10:42, Matthew 16:27, Luke 6:35, Luke 14:14, Romans 2:6-10, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Colossians 3:24, Hebrews 10:35, Hebrews 11:26

whether: Galatians 3:28, Colossians 3:11

Reciprocal: Psalms 62:12 - renderest Isaiah 24:2 - as with the people Matthew 20:7 - and 1 Corinthians 12:13 - bond 2 Corinthians 6:11 - our heart Colossians 4:1 - ye Revelation 13:16 - free

Cross-References

Genesis 6:12
God looked on the earth and saw how debased and degenerate it was, for all humanity had corrupted their way on the earth and lost their true direction.

Genesis 6:17
"For behold, I, even I, will bring a flood of waters on the earth, to destroy all life under the heavens in which there is the breath and spirit of life; everything that is on the land shall die.

Genesis 19:19
"Please listen, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have magnified your lovingkindness (mercy) to me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, because the disaster will overtake me and I will be killed.

Psalms 84:11
For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD bestows grace and favor and honor; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Psalms 145:20
The LORD keeps all who love Him, But all the wicked He will destroy.

Proverbs 3:4
So find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.

Proverbs 8:35
"For whoever finds me (Wisdom) finds life And obtains favor and grace from the LORD.

Proverbs 12:2
A good man will obtain favor from the LORD, But He will condemn a man who devises evil.

Jeremiah 31:2
Thus says the LORD, "The people who survived the sword Found grace in the wilderness [of exile]— Israel (the Northern Kingdom), when it went to find its rest."

Luke 1:30
The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doth,.... According to the will of God, from right principles in his heart, and with a view to God's glory:

the same shall he receive of the Lord; that is, he shall receive the fruit and advantage of it, in a way of grace,

whether [he be] bond or free; a bondman or a free man, a master or a servant.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Knowing that whatsoever good thing - Whatever a man does that is right, for that he shall be appropriately rewarded. No matter what his rank in life, if he discharges his duty to God and man, he will be accepted. A man in a state of servitude may so live as to honor God; and, so living, he should not be greatly solicitous about his condition. A master may fail to render suitable recompense to a slave. But, if the servant is faithful to God, he will recompense him in the future world. It is in this way that religion would make the evils of life tolerable, by teaching those who are oppressed to hear their trials in a patient spirit, and to look forward to the future world of reward. Religion does not approve of slavery. It is the friend of human rights. If it had full influence on earth, it would restore every man to freedom, and impart to each one his rights. Christianity nowhere requires its friends to make or to own a slave. No one under the proper influence of religion ever yet made a man a slave; there is no one under its proper influence who would not desire that all should be free; and just in proportion as true religion spreads over the world, will universal freedom be its attendant. But Christianity would lighten the evils of slavery even while it exists, and would comfort those who are doomed to so hard a lot, by assuring them that there they may render acceptable service to God, and that they soon will be admitted to a world where galling servitude will be known no more. If they may not have freedom here, they may have contentment if they feel that wrong is done them by men, they may feel that right will be done them by God; if their masters do not reward them for their services here, God will; and if they may not enjoy liberty here, they will soon be received into the world of perfect freedom - heaven.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 8. Whatsoever good thing any man doeth — Though your masters should fail to give you the due reward of your fidelity and labour, yet, as ye have done your work as unto the Lord, he will take care to give you the proper recompense.

Whether he be bond — A slave, bought with money;

Or free. — A person who has hired himself of his own free accord.