After instructing laborers on godly service, Paul addresses those who have authority over them. He reminds them that they will answer to God for how they treat those in their charge. A godly master will recognize that his workers are his equals in Christ. Paul admonishes them to treat their laborers as they would want to be treated and warns them to cease tactics of harshness and intimidation. They must treat them justly and fairly because God is not partial. A man's earthly status will provide him no special consideration when standing before the God who is the Master of us all.