Eyeservice (3787) (ophthalmodouleia from ophthalmos = eye + douleia = service) is literally "eye slavery" (!) which practically means working when the master is watching and loafing when he is gone. It is service rendered only for appearance sake. Slaves were under more temptation in this respect than paid laborers, since they had nothing to gain materially from diligence. This is service that is performed only to make an impression in the owner’s presence. It describes work done without dedication or a sense of inner obligation but primarily to impress and to attract attention. Our English idiom "brown nosers" is appropriate epithet for those who perform their tasks in this manner only to curry favor or for appearances sake. Spirit filled believers steer clear of this subtle selfish attitude. Paul is saying that Spirit filled slave serve Christ on the job with a Coram Deo ("before the face of God") attitude, fully aware that He is always watching us! Work must not be done well and not with one eye on the clock or only when the overseer’s eye is on us but must be done in the awareness that God’s eye is on us. Paul is saying believing slaves must avoid eyeservice and pursue a deeper motive for ... God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. (1Samuel 16:7) Jonathan Edwards wrote... Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be. (Read all his resolutions- very convicting!) but remember resolutions unless read under grace and obeyed in the power of the Spirit can become burdens of subtle, or not so subtle, legalism - cp Ro 7:5-note) Comment: Read a longer list of Jonathan Edwards' resolutions - if you dare! They are very convicting! However, be careful! Remember that resolutions must be read with a strong reliance on grace and a trust in the power of the Spirit to obey, or otherwise they can become legalistic burdens (cp Ro 7:5-note) In fact read Edwards' prayer that prefaces the resolutions... Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake. Expositor's Greek Testament adds that... It is the service that is done only when one is under the master’s eye—an obedience to save appearances and gain undeserved favor, which is not rendered when the master is absent as it is when his scrutiny is on us.” (Ephesians 6 Commentary) As Barclay says... Every single piece of work the Christian produces must be good enough to show to God. (Ibid) The only other NT uses of eyeservice and men-pleasers is found in Colossians where Paul instructs slaves... Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. (See notes Colossians 3:22) Here's a humorous illustration of "eye service" from the Reader's Digest... A retired friend became interested in the construction of an addition to a shopping mall. Observing the activity regularly, he was especially impressed by the conscientious operator of a large piece of equipment. The day finally came when my friend had a chance to tell this man how much he’d enjoyed watching his scrupulous work. Looking astonished, the operator replied, “You’re not the supervisor?” (Howard A. Stein in Reader’s Digest)