Colossians 3:17-4:1

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Colossians 3:18-4:1

18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 22 Bondservants obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.

4 Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. [1]



Devotion

                The society to which Paul addressed his “table of household duties” was very different from ours; but the duty to make one’s individual life a witness for Christ, which he impresses on wives, husbands, children, fathers, slaves, masters, has lost none of its truth in the changed condition of modern times. The practical counsels that follow are all to be read in light of the joyous, loving, thankful, Christian life Paul has already described. See previous blog post for details.

            Paul begins his description of the Christian household with wives. He encourages them to submit voluntarily to their husbands. Husbands he encourages to love their wives and not to be harsh with them. This is the basis for a loving Christian home. Where there can be a safe and loving environment. Free from unnecessary discord and selfishness.

            Next, Paul addresses the children. Telling them to obey their parents for in doing so they please the Lord. He urges fathers not to be overly harsh with their children so the children will not be discouraged.

            Slaves are addressed next so one might assume that this teaching has no practical application in this day and age. Besides the fact that there are now more people living in slavery around the world than there has ever been before. The teachings can be applied to employee/employer relations as well. Workers are to do what their employers ask them to not just when the boss is looking but when he is away as well. Knowing that the Lord will approve of their work even if the earthly boss doesn’t seem to notice. Masters are required to treat their employees fairly and justly knowing that they to serve a Master in heaven.

Prayer:

            Lord, make us receptive to your words to us. Even if they don’t seem applicable to our life situation. Help us to all live in quiet submission to your heavenly rule. Keep us from pride and boasting and help us to live by the Holy Spirit in the world. In the name of Jesus we ask it. Amen




[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Col 3:18–4:1.

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