The Slave-Master Relationship
Colossians 3:22-4:1
Even the one who has the least options is to do his work wholeheartedly to the Lord.
#work
Published March 20th, 2017
Commentary
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Commentary
In 3:22-4:1 Paul zeroes in on the slave-master relationship in the 1st century household. Paul is not endorsing slavery (he plants seeds elsewhere which move the church in the opposite direction, see 1 Cor. 7:21; Philemon 16). Once again he addresses the one with the authority, this time the masters, in 4:1 to treat the slaves in a way that reflects that Christ is at the center. The masters are to do "the same" (see Eph. 6:9a) to the slave (see Christ-centered internal characteristics already highlighted for the slaves in this passage and in the parallel in Eph. 6:5-8), treating them justly and fairly (1a). The masters are to act in constant awareness that Jesus is their Lord as well (1b). They, too, are slaves of Christ. The slaves' orientation on Christ is made explicit in 22e, 23, 24a, 24b. This orientation is to show itself in sincere, heartfelt obedience in every kind of work (22d, 23), trusting the Lord for their reward (24a) and for Him to punish any wrong-doing (25a).
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Colossians 3:22-4:1
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Οἱ δοῦλοι, ὑπακούετε κατὰ πάντα τοῖς κατὰ σάρκα κυρίοις,
Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters ,
a Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters 1 on earth,
μὴ ἐν ὀφθαλμοδουλίᾳ
(Here is the manner of obedience:) Do not obey by way of eye-service,
b not with 2 external service,
ὡς ἀνθρωπάρεσκοι,
as people-pleasers ("obey" their earthly masters),
as those who merely please men,
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ἀλλʼ ἐν ἁπλότητι καρδίας
but ( positively , obey) with sincerity of heart,
but with sincerity of heart,
φοβούμενοι τὸν κύριον.
( because you are) fearing the Lord .
fearing the Lord.
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ὃ ἐὰν ποιῆτε, ἐκ ψυχῆς ἐργάζεσθε ὡς τῷ κυρίῳ καὶ οὐκ ἀνθρώποις,
( In other words ) Whatever you do, work heartily,
Whatever you do, do your work 1 heartily, a as for the Lord 2 rather than for men,
as for the Lord
and not for men,
εἰδότες ὅτι ἀπὸ κυρίου ἀπολήμψεσθε τὴν ἀνταπόδοσιν τῆς κληρονομίας.
( for you) know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.
a knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward 1 of b the inheritance.
τῷ κυρίῳ Χριστῷ δουλεύετε•
( Therefore ) serve the Lord Christ!
It is the Lord Christ whom you c serve.
ὁ γὰρ ἀδικῶν κομίσεται ὃ ἠδίκησεν,
For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done,
For a he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done,
καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν προσωπολημψία.
and there is no partiality.
and 1 b that without partiality.
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Οἱ κύριοι, τὸ δίκαιον καὶ τὴν ἰσότητα τοῖς δούλοις παρέχεσθε ,
Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly,
Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness,
εἰδότες ὅτι καὶ ὑμεῖς ἔχετε κύριον ἐν οὐρανῷ.
( for you) know that you also have a Master in heaven.
a knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.
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