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Colossians 3:22-4:1
The letter to the Colossians shows us that love is the bond of perfection, in a family - whether that family is
the Body of Christ, or an earthly family.
But what does it take to love in this way? It takes submission to the Lord; yielding ourselves to Him, so
that His love can flow through us, to others. It is in this way that the members of the family supply one
another with what it is that they need, for their good, so that they can thrive.
As Paul began to exhort those in the home concerning their relationships with one another, we saw that he
addressed each one as if he or she was a Christ One. This was regardless of whether they were the head of
the household, the wife, a child, or even a house slave. Each one was to fulfill his or her God-designed role
within the family, regardless of whether others in the home were believers, or not.
Having looked at the immediate members of the family last week, lets continue now with those who were
on the periphery of the family unit in Pauls day, yet were such an integral part of the operation of the
home. For they were the ones who really kept the home running - the house slaves.
Now in this translation, the NKJV, we see the word bondservant is used. In the Greek, this word is the
most common and general word used for a servant or slave.
This word is used to refer to one who is in forced servitude, as well as to one who serves voluntarily. So
the Greek word is the same word, whether the service is voluntary, or involuntary; you have to look at the
context, to know what is meant.
In this context, Paul is speaking of slaves in the home; and we can know he means the involuntary kind of
service because of his exhortation to them. So well refer to them as slaves. Well reserve the term
bondservant to distinguish one who serves voluntarily; willingly. So for our discussion, involuntary =
slave, voluntary = bondservant.
[Read Colossians 3:22-4:1]
So once again, we see Paul is first addressing the party that is to submit - that would be the slave. Then he
follows that up with an exhortation to the one to whom the slave is to submit - that would be the master.
The master was also the husband and the father, in the previous two groups (vv. 18-21); in Pauls day, the
typical head of a Roman household.
Do you remember why it is that Paul names the party that is to submit first? Because God designed
members of the family to have relationships with one another.
So instead of the head of the household demanding everyones obedience, like a tyrant, sometimes with
force - which was common, in that day - Paul exhorts each of the other members - wife, child, slave - to
freely submit themselves to the head of the household. Then he calls on the head of the household to
lovingly give the others what is good for them. In this way, all of the relationships in the family are marked
by love.
Now, slaves werent members of the family. But in their realm of service, house slaves lived with the
family and interacted with them on a daily basis. They were often intricately involved in the functioning of
the family, and participated in their most personal matters.

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For this reason, slaves were considered part of the household, and as such, they were subject to the order
within the home; an order which Paul shows is maintained through mutual relationships, based on love.
Relationships of love - even concerning slaves, who were in a position of unwilling bondage, to their
masters? Yes.
Paul is encouraging the slave who has become a Christ One to obey his master, out of the slaves love for
the Lord. Motivated by that love, the slave can now serve with all his heart - and as well see, even serve
the unbelieving master, who does wrong by him.
And what of the master, who has become a Christ One - how is he to now treat his slaves, who are required
to do his will? Paul exhorts the believing master, by giving his slaves what is just and fair - just and fair
commands; just and fair provision - because as Christ Ones, masters are servants - servants of the Lord; and
that makes them responsible, to love.
Although Paul is speaking of house slaves, we can see that these exhortations even have bearing on the
larger household of the master - for all his slaves. In fact Pauls words still have bearing in our world,
today - on the relationship of the boss with his employees - which for some is becoming very much like the
relationship of a master with his slaves.
Now, notice that Paul has more to say to slaves than to any other member of the household. The same is
true in his exhortation in Ephesians (Eph 6:5-8). Paul includes an exhortation to slaves in several of his
other letters (1 Cor 7:21-22, 1 Tim 6:1-2, Tit 2:9-10). And Peter exhorts slaves, as well (1 Pet 2:18-25). Do
you think this emphasis may be significant? It is, indeed.
Slaves of all kinds represented fifty percent of the Roman Empire, in that day - about sixty million people.
The economy of the Empire was built on slavery, and day to day life was sustained by it.
Slavery was not only fundamental to the Empire - but to the world system, in general, from the earliest
times. Its simply one manifestation of men in the flesh, in their will for themselves, subjugating others to
carry out their will - in violation of the will of the others.
The Law of Moses presupposes slavery, but restricted it to the extent that it became humane and limited in
scope and duration. The result was that slavery all but disappeared among the Jews, by the time that Jesus
came.
But that was not so in the Roman Empire at large. Slaves were usually acquired as captives during war, or
purchased off of slave markets.
Slaves were considered to be the property of their owners; they had absolutely no legal rights, or protection.
Their masters were most often harsh, even abusive. A master could have his slave put to death for almost
any reason. And half the population of the Roman Empire experienced this oppression, as slaves.
Oppression naturally breeds resistance, which is what the slaves tended to do - subversively, to avoid
punishment. We see some evidence of typical slave behavior, in Pauls letter to Titus.

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Turn to Titus chapter 2. Titus was a Gentile (Gal 2:1-3) who came to believe through Paul, became a
disciple of Paul (Titus 1:4), and later, ministered the Word, himself. Paul wrote to Titus while he was
pastoring an assembly on the island of Crete (Titus 1:5). He was encouraging Titus concerning those to
whom he ministered - and Paul gave him an exhortation for those in the assembly who were slaves.
[Titus 2:9-10] We can surmise by Pauls exhortation here what it was common among slaves to do. They
were disobedient; they didnt strive to please their masters; they back-talked them, displaying their
disrespect for them; they stole from them; and they didnt show them good fidelity; that is, a slave was not
to be trusted; they were untrustworthy.
The master couldnt count on the slave to do what was asked correctly; to do it well; to do it completely.
And certainly, all of this was done, on the sly. It was a subtle form of sabotage - the slaves retaliation, for
the way their masters treated them.
But think of what would happen when their masters caught them! Their punishment must have been brutal.
And to run away and be caught usually meant death. To be a slave in the Roman Empire was to live
without a hope.
[Return to Colossians 3]
But then slaves began to discover that there was a hope for them - through those who were bearing the
gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth. Not surprisingly, many slaves embraced the truth, when they
heard the good news of Jesus Christ - and He became for them the Truth that made them free (Jn 8:32). In
fact, they came to represent a large proportion of the early Church.
Just imagine the joy of those slaves in the Lycus valley, when they heard Pauls words: there is neither
slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all (Col 3:11).
Those slaves who placed their faith in Christ became full members of Christs Body, and they possessed
His life, equally with each other member - no matter who they were. This was a freedom and equality such
as they had never known, on earth.
But how did their new-found freedom in Christ translate into their everyday lives? They had been forced
into servitude. According to Roman law, they were bound to serve their master.
But if their master was also a believer, werent they now equals? So didnt that mean they no longer had to
serve their master? And what if their master was not a believer - did they still have to obey him? Couldnt
they just obey the Lord - their new Master? How about if their master was harsh, and unreasonable - didnt
they now have the right to refuse to serve him?
So as we have seen Paul address the other relations in the home, so he does now with the head of the
household, and his slaves.
And what do we see? Does Paul condemn slavery? No. Does he advocate a slave revolt? No. Why not?
Slavery is certainly wrong; God created man with freedom of choice, so that man would be free to choose
Him; free to obey Him. For one man to oppress another, and take away his freedom, is sin.

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But slavery was an integral part of society, especially the society of Pauls day. And until the heart of men
change, society will not change. And Paul knew that; he knew that he could not heal the ills of society; just
as we cannot heal the ills of society, today.
So Paul did what he could do; he gave each man an opportunity to have a change of heart, through the
preaching of the gospel; and thats what we are to do. We dont try to administer a cure for society that
cant work; instead, we minister reconciliation, which has the power to heal the sin-sick - one heart at a
time.
So Paul does not advocate a slave rebellion, here. Instead of advocating rebellion, what Paul advocates is
obedience - obedience among those whose hearts have already been changed; among those who believe.
And this obedience is not just for the believing slave; but also for the believing master.
So first, Paul appeals to the slaves - lets read that again.
v. 22-24 So the slave who has become a Christ One is to obey their master in all things - their master
according to the flesh, that is, their earthly master. So, far from advocating resistance, Paul is exhorting
slaves to fully comply with whatever is asked of them.
Paul uses the word obedience, as he did for children. Where a child is in the position of complete
subservience in the home due to maturity, the slave is as well, but due to social status. Like the child, the
believing slave was to obey the authority under which he had been placed - through circumstances which
were allowed, by his Lord. He was to obey what was commanded exactly, and immediately, and fully.
Paul makes it clear that he is not talking about eyeservice, here. This refers to work done only when
someone is watching, or just for the sake of appearance.
If the motive of the slave was to be a men-pleaser - that is, just to please his master, so his master is pleased
with him - then the slave might do this. When the master is watching, the slave is working full-throttle,
looking like he is really doing the job, exactly as ordered. But as soon as the masters back is turned, the
slave puts it in neutral; he slacks off; he cuts corners.
Paul is saying, thats not obedience, at all. The eyes of obedience are set higher than the earthly master;
theyre set on God. Out of reverence for God - who sees all, and knows all - the believing slave is to render
his obedience with sincerity of heart. Thats to say, his motive is to be pure; purely to please God, and not
himself.
And what would cause the believing slave, to serve so unselfishly; to serve so whole-heartedly? Because
the slave who is a Christ One serves, as unto the Lord; and not to men; he serves his Lord, Christ. It is only
out of his love for Christ that he can serve with such whole-hearted obedience. Love for Christ is the power
of his service.
This means that the circumstances of service are not the issue; it doesnt matter where the slave works, how
the conditions or the hours are, or what hes been asked to do - assuming it is not a violation of the will of
God.
And his master is not the issue, either. Peter indicates the master is to be respectfully obeyed whether good
and gentle, or harsh (1 Pet 2:18).

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And Paul makes it clear that even the unbelieving master is to be counted worthy of all honor; and that the
believing master is not to be regarded as an equal in society, just because they are a fellow member of the
Body of Christ (1 Tim 6:1-2). And this would still hold true for service in our day - for which most of us,
unlike the slave, are paid!
Slaves were not compensated for their labor; and under Roman law, a slave could possess little or nothing.
This kept them in the position of subjugation, but it also fostered their apathy; a slave had no motivation to
do well, except perhaps to avoid a beating.
But Paul wants believing slaves to see that this lack of compensation is not the case, for them. Their
Master is the Lord now; and He will see to it that they have the ultimate compensation package! In fact,
the benefits are out of this world!
Paul speaks of it here as the reward of the inheritance. The Greek indicates that the reward IS the
inheritance. What is this inheritance, with which they will be rewarded?
Well, earlier in this letter, Paul spoke of all believers as having been qualified to partake of the inheritance
of the saints in the light (Col 1:12). Thats the kingdom of the Son of Gods love (Col 1:13).
These believing slaves had already been set apart to God - conveyed into that kingdom, in eternity; and one
day, they will experience it bodily, in the New Jerusalem. So their inheritance is some prime real estate!
Will they inherit that heavenly kingdom, in these earthen vessels? No; flesh and blood cannot inherit the
kingdom of God; nor can corruption inherit incorruption (1 Cor 15:50).
But these slaves have been born again as children of God, of the Incorruptible Seed, Christ (1 Pet 1:23).
His Eternal Life is in them, which will bring forth a new body, a glorified body, one that fits them to enter
into their heavenly home (Jn 3:5). They will inherit as glorified sons.
In fact, as these slaves are learning to serve their earthly masters, through their growing love for the Lord,
they are taking in more and more of His glory - treasure that they have in their earthen vessels now (2 Cor
4:6); treasure that they will possess, forever - a glorious outshining of their Lord. These slaves, who
possess nothing in this world, are storing up for themselves treasure in heaven (Mt 6:20).
And Paul says, they know they will receive this, in all of its fullness, because they serve the Lord Christ; a
Master who is perfectly just and fair. Paul is saying to these believing slaves that they do not really serve
any earthly master; theyve been set free. So now they are free to obey God, which is something they could
never do before.
Why couldnt they do that before? Because before, they were slaves - slaves of sin. That was their real
bondage. In fact, they were born into that bondage - as sons of Adam. It was a forced servitude.
They served the Sin, because thats how they served themselves, fulfilling their own selfish desires. And
you know, the Sin was a harsh taskmaster; serving the Sin certainly took its toll, on them.
But do you know that the Sin actually did pay them wages? Yes. The wages of the Sin is what? Death eternal condemnation (Rm 6:23).

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But when these slaves heard the gospel, and obeyed the truth by believing it, all of that changed. They
acquired a new master - God - and they became slaves of righteousness (Rm 6:18, 22).
Wait a minute - you mean theyre still slaves? Yes. But its a completely different kind of servitude. This is
not the involuntary service of a slave. This is the willing service - of a bondservant.
Now, to understand that a little better, were going back to the book of Deuteronomy, to look at where the
bondservant is described.
Turn to Deuteronomy chapter 15. Moses was reminding the children of Israel of the statutes and judgments
that they were to be careful to observe in the land the LORD God was giving them.
This one concerned the Jew who, due to difficult circumstances, had to sell himself into slavery to a fellow
Jew. The conditions under which he was to serve were actually to be like those of hired servants, for as we
shall see, they were to receive recompense for their work, and their time of service was not to be indefinite.
v. 12-15 So the ones who had to sell themselves into slavery were to be treated with compassion; the time
of their indenture was to be no longer than six years. And the ones who they served were even required by
the LORD to graciously bless them, as they themselves had been blessed by the LORD.
The LORD based this on what He had done for the nation, in freeing them from their forced servitude, to the
Egyptians. Freely they had received, from the Lord; freely were they to give, especially to their brethren.
But it is the next part that describes the bondservant.
v. 16-17 After six years of servitude, the slave was to be freed by the master. But the slave was not
required to leave.
If the slave had grown to love his master; if he had come to love those of his masters house; if the slave
recognized that through his relationship with the master, the slave had actually been caused to prosper; he
could choose to remain, and become part of the masters house forever.
The slave was choosing to become a bondservant one who willingly chose to devote himself to the
service of his master, for all of his days out of love for the master.
The bondservants ear was pierced with a wooden awl in the doorway of the house. In that moment, as the
wood pierced his flesh and penetrated through to the wood, into the door, he was joined to the masters
door.
This symbolized that he was joining himself to his master and his house. He was now part of his masters
house; and so the master owned him.
The piercing of the bondservants ear reflects the idea that his hearing would be forever open to the voice of
his master, ready to do his will. This shows the bondservants willing obedience, his devotion, motivated
by love for the master.
When you put your faith in Jesus Christ you became His bondservant. You freely chose to do so, drawn by
the love of Christ and of His house - the true church. You were a slave - a slave of sin. But then you saw
that the Lord had a plan for you, to prosper you - as a son of God.

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As the slave had the wooden awl driven through his ear in the door, so your ear was opened, by the
message of the cross; to Christ, your door to Life Everlasting (Jn 10:9). Through the cross, you became one
with Christ, and with His house - the members of His Body. And ever after, your ear is now open, to the
voice of the Lord - the Master you freely chose, because you saw He loves you.
We love Him, because He first loved us (1 Jn 4:19). Our love for the Master comes out of His love for us the love the slave saw, and responded to; the love that made him choose to become the masters
bondservant, forever.
A slave serves because he has to. A bondservant serves because he wants to. He loves his Master, and
wants to please Him. Its the desire that rules his heart; not to have his own will, but the will of his Lord.
Out of his devotion to the Master, he becomes a slave of righteousness (Rm 6:18); not because he has to;
because he wants to. Being a slave of righteousness is your freedom - you have been made free, to serve the
Lord, Christ.
[Return to Colossians]
So after Paul has exhorted them concerning their obedience to their masters, he continues, in verse 25.
v. 25 To get what Paul is saying here, we need to consider this verse very carefully - to understand who the
he is. The immediate thought is that Paul must be continuing to speak about the believing slave.
But is he? This verse is not in the form of an exhortation; Paul is not commanding anything here; its just a
simple statement, about the one who does wrong; and it begins with a But, putting it in contrast to what
was said before.
In the Greek, the verb form for doing wrong is continuous or repeated action. This is one who does wrong,
and does wrong, and does wrong; thats his way of life.
The word for repaid means to bring to oneself. The idea is retributive justice, and who would be
meting that out? The Lord.
This is speaking of a judgment on the one continually doing wrong. But how can this be the believing
slave? For him there is therefore now no condemnation, for he is in Christ Jesus (Rm 8:1).
The clue is how Paul ends it - there is no partiality. In the KJV, it reads, there is no respect of persons.
In Scripture, this term is always used in reference to showing favoritism toward one group over another;
such as the rich over the poor (Ja 2:1); or the Jew over the Gentile (Rm 2:11).
Men show this favoritism, but God does not. God does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward
appearance; but God looks at what? At the heart (1 Sam 16:7). And Paul is making just that point here;
God is not partial; He does not favor one group over the other.
But what are the two groups here? Well, weve been reading about slaves; thats one group. Then who
would be the other group, in contrast to the slaves? The masters.

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What Paul is doing is giving a reassurance to believing slaves here - that, if they happen to have a master
who is doing wrong to them - treating them unfairly, or harshly - and doing so continuously, which means
that this must be an unbelieving master - the slave is to nonetheless give that master his obedience, as to the
Lord - and be reassured that the Lord will give his unrighteous master what is due to him.
And unless that master repents, what will that be? Wrath in the day of wrath. He will render to that master
according to his deeds (Rm 2:5-6). The slave can trust all to the Lord, and be at peace.
And on that note, Paul gives his final word to believing masters.
4:1 Again we see that the responsibility of the master - the head of the household - is not to demand
obedience from those under him - that is to be freely given, by those under his authority. Instead, the master
is respond to them in like manner, and freely give to them - in the way that he can, as the head of the
household.
In this case, the master is to give his slaves what is just and fair. This means he is to give them what they
should rightly have; what would be equitable to give them, based on their service in his household.
Well, that would take viewing the slave as a person, and recognizing his value; not treating him as an
expendable piece of property. And that would take kindness and generosity; which would take love.
Paul doesnt intend the last part of verse 25 as some kind of veiled threat, to the head of the household: you
also have a Master, in heaven.
Paul is saying that the master of the house can look to Jesus - he can think on the kindness and generosity
with which he, the master has been treated by Him. And in doing so, the master can find in it his
inspiration to love his slaves, in like manner.
So the idea is to imitate the Lord (1 Cor 11:1); to be like Him; not meaning to copy what He does, which
would just be external form, but to follow Him, in submission and love - which is an act of the heart.
And as we think about it, Jesus is to be that inspiration, not just for master, and for slaves, but for each one
in the home, to love as they ought. And Jesus is to be the inspiration for the members of the Body, to love
as they ought.
He is love. In love, He was the forerunner; in love, He is the example; and in love, He gives the supply.
Reading: Col 4; Eph 5:1-21.