Colossians 3:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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.

NIV: Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.

NASB: Slaves, obey those who are your human masters in everything, not with eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.

CSB: Slaves, obey your human masters in everything. Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord.

NLT: Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord.

KJV: Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

NKJV: Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.

Paul has addressed immediate family members in the prior verses, including specific instructions for husbands, wives, and children. Here, Paul begins a set of instructions for a "bondservant." This is from the Greek term duolos, meaning a person under the command or obligation of another. The word can be fairly translated as "slave," although what modern people think of when they see the term "slave" is not quite how it was practiced in Paul's day.

In this context, bondservants were considered part of a person's household, yet did not enjoy the same level of freedom as their masters. According to Paul, these servants are to show submission and obedience to their masters. Rather than teaching Christian slaves to rebel, Paul instructed them to obey. Paul elsewhere sought freedom for a bondservant named Onesimus, recorded in the book of Philemon. However, Christianity's unique success against slavery would come through changes to society, rather than rebellion.

Paul specifically says that this obedience is not meant to be "for show" only. Nor is it only supposed to meet the bare minimum requirements of the master. The clear point is that the bondservant was supposed to work for God's glory (Colossians 3:17), not just when his or her master was watching. Shallow service, done only when the master is watching, is the kind of work done by a "people-pleaser" rather than a God-pleaser. The Christian bondservant was to serve "with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord."

God sees and knows all, including the heart and its motives. Bondservants were to serve for God's pleasure, not merely that of their earthly master. Though not an exact equivalent, similar principles also apply to those in a modern-day work context, between employer and employee.

It should also be noted that, in Colossians 4:1, Paul will mirror the same basic expectation for masters as he has just given to bondservants. In that verse, Paul will remind masters that they, themselves, are the servants of a Master in heaven, and will be judged accordingly. Those who do wrong will be punished, whether they are free or slaves (Colossians 3:25).

Colossians 3:18—4:1 gives specific instructions from Paul for those living in Christian homes. This passage includes directions for husbands, wives, children, and servants. Paul makes a point of reminding believers not to merely ''get by'' with the bare minimum of what we are obligated to do. Rather, we should serve knowing that Christ is our ultimate judge. Paul also places ''masters'' under the same obligation to kindness and fairness as slaves and servants: both are equal in the eyes of Christ.

In this chapter, Paul gives clear instructions to Christians about living out faith in Christ. Since believers have been saved by Christ, they should not participate in the sins which trap unbelievers. Sexual immorality, jealousy, slander, and revenge are not to be part of the Christian's life. Instead, believers ought to demonstrate compassion, humility, patience, and forgiveness. Above all, followers of Christ should show love. Paul also gives specific instructions for those living in Christian homes, including husbands, wives, children, and servants.

Prior chapters in Colossians emphasized the supremacy of Jesus, and the inferiority of worldly teachings. Paul's explanation of Christ as the ultimate authority, and the only source of truth, is key to understanding the difference between godly wisdom and worldly deceptions. In this chapter, Paul will apply those earlier ideas using practical instructions. This application runs through the beginning of chapter 4, which will end with various news about fellow Christian ministers.

The book of Colossians describes Christ as superior to all other teachers, faiths, and philosophies. In this letter, written from prison, Paul once again tackles false teachings. Among these errors are claims that Christians need to give up all physical enjoyments, that they should worship angels, and that they need to rely on the wisdom of an elite few. These problems are consistent with an ancient heresy known as Gnosticism. In response, Paul explains that Christ is supreme, and sufficient for our salvation.