What Does Ephesians 6:8 Mean in the King James?

Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

Ephesians 6:8 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The same Greek root behind “do” also gives “workmanship”: the good you bring about is received by the Lord beyond the line between bond and free.

THE MEANING

The good you do now is received by the Lord, and your standing does not change its worth before him. Whether you are bond or free, the deed reaches the same source and receives its answer there.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The verse undoes the belief that good only counts when a person’s social position gives it recognition.

THE ROOT

ποιήσῃ

poiēsē

GROWS FROM

ποιέω

poieō

To make, do, or bring about.

“doeth” in this verse is poiēsē. The form ⁨ποιήσῃ⁩ (poiēsē, “does” or “may do”) comes from ⁨ποιέω⁩ (poieō, “to make or do”). Its word family joins an action with what is made: the verse presents good as something brought into being, received by the Lord regardless of the doer’s status.

ALSO GROWS

poiēma: A thing made; workmanship.

ποίημα

This branch names the result of making, linking the good you do with something that takes shape.

poiētēs: A maker; a doer.

ποιητής

This branch names a person through what they do, echoing the verse’s focus on the deed rather than the person’s rank.

agathopoieō: To do good; to act beneficently.

ἀγαθοποιέω

This compound joins “good” and “do” in one verb, making explicit the active goodness at the center of the verse.

THE PATTERN

Good done by any person remains before God and is answered according to the work, not the worker’s standing.

Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.

Psalm 62:12 · KJVThe Lord answers each person’s work, extending the same pattern of regard beyond social standing.

That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

Matthew 6:4 · KJVEven a good act hidden from other people is seen by the Father and receives its answer from him.

Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

1 Corinthians 3:8 · KJVThe work itself is met with its reward, while the workers share equal standing.

THE THREAD

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10 · KJV

The word translated “workmanship” comes from the same Greek word family as “doeth” here. One names what is made; the other names the making, joining the reader’s being formed with the good they bring about.

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