How we cite our quotes:
Quote #4
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother"—this is the first commandment with a promise: "so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:1-4, NRSV)
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:1-4, KJV)
Another one that sees equality in two unequal groups. The Ten Commandments don't have a sub-rule for fathers—they just say that kids should obey. But Paul tacks this on to curb fatherly abuse of power.
Quote #5
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as you obey Christ[…] And, masters, do the same to them. Stop threatening them, for you know that both of you have the same Master in heaven, and with him there is no partiality. (Ephesians 6:5, 9, NRSV)
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ[…] And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. (Ephesians 6:5, 9, KJV)
More clashes between the classes. This one's pretty radical. Sure, slaves should obey and submit, but their owners also have to show a little restraint. Roman slave-owners didn't really have any restrictions on what they could do to their human property. Paul seems to think that they could catch more flies with honey than with the flyswatter.
Quote #6
In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all! (Colossians 3:11, NRSV)
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. (Colossians 3:11, KJV)
This is actually pretty crazy when you think about it. Social distinctions and classes have ceased to exist because of Jesus! God isn't gonna play favorites once you set foot in Heaven. On Earth, it's a different story though…