Bible Study Colossians: 3: 18-25

 

A Commentary of the Book of Colossians 

By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins

Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible

Bible Study Colossians: 3: 18-25

Text: 

Family and Work

18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is pleasing [q]to the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.

22 Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters [r]according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but with [s]integrity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your work [t]heartily, as for the Lord [u]rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward [v]of the inheritance. [w]Serve the Lord Christ. 25 For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and [x]that without partiality.

Verse by verse commentary

Verse 18: “Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.”

Some translations, e.g., use the word “submit.” However, the Greek verb means “to subject oneself,” which denotes willingly putting oneself under someone or something. In our culture this verse is mostly ignored. Ministers are afraid to tell wives that they are to submit to their husbands. First, note that the wife is to submit to her own husband, not someone else's husband. Second, the subjection is to be “fitting in the Lord.” Wives are not to submit themselves to the husbands directions if to do so would violate God’s law. Wives are never to be forced by their husbands to sin. Let me be clear, if a wife rejects submission to her husband, she is not born again. The born again wife would have the Holy Spirit and He would reveal this to her heart.

Verse 19: “Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.”

This is a command for the highest form of love which is rendered selflessly. Husbands are always to put their wives first, unless the wife has broken the marital covenant through unfaithfulness. The Greek verb translated “embittered” is better translated as “stop being bitter,” or “do not have the habit of being bitter.” Husbands must not be harsh or angrily resentful toward their wives. Further, husbands are never to encourage their wives to sin. A husband that does not love his faithful wife is not born again. This is not works-based salvation, but rather an understanding that the born again husband who is filled with the Holy Spirit will love his wife and cherish her. 

Verse 20: “Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is pleasing [a]to the Lord.”

This is a command. Obedience is required unless that obedience to a parent’s command would result in sin. In other words, the only limit on a child’s obedience is when the parents command something contrary to God’s Word. Consider that some children will act contrary to their parents’ wishes in coming to Christ. Obedience to the Word of God always comes first. 

Verse 21: “Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.”

“Do not exasperate,” has the connotation of not stirring up or irritating. The role of both parents are important in the home. However, the father is the spiritual head in the home. He represents Christ in the home. As such, a father should never intentionally try to irritate the children. Christ seeks not to irritate His church so fathers should follow His example.

Verse 22: “Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but with integrity of heart, fearing the Lord.”

Most Bible versions translate “doulos” as servant or bond servant. However, the better translation is “slave.” A servant can have several masters, like someone holding multiple part time jobs, but a slave is a slave to only one person. Notice the Bible never condemns slavery, but instead sets guidelines for how the master and slaves are to act. A slave obeys his master genuinely, not with a false “man-pleaser” approach (working only when you are being watched), but from a heart dedicated to his master. In Bible times, a master took care of his slaves. He provided food, shelter, and all he needed to live. In the same way, we are to be slaves to the Lord Jesus Christ and have no other masters.

Verse 23: “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,”

The word “heartily” means literally “from the soul.” Our work should come from our heart and not just external actions. Paul is urging them to honor Christ in their hearts, work, and behavior. We are to please the Lord in our secular work. We do so by doing the work unto Him.

Verse 24: “knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. Serve the Lord Christ.”

The Lord ensures the believer that he will receive a just, eternal compensation for his efforts, even if his earthly boss or master does not compensate fairly. This is part of a general theme that the God of all creation will do right by His people. While we may suffer injustice and persecution on earth, it will be worth it all to hear those words, “Well done, good and faithful servant" (actually the correct translation is “slave”). 

Verse 25: “For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.”

“Receive the consequences” may refer in part to secular authorities that God has appointed to maintain social order and justice. It could also suggest the fatherly and sometimes painful discipline God uses to educate and instruct His people. But it seems Paul may have primarily meant that there will be eternal consequences to be paid by evildoers who refuse to turn to Christ. There is a judgment day coming when wrongs will be righted.