Author: Charlie Garrett

Sunday, 28 May 2017

Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. Colossians 4:1

These words (along with the closing verse of Chapter 3) closely match Paul’s words of Ephesians 6:9 –

“And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.”

Though this thought carries over from the previous chapter, there is nothing wrong with dividing the chapters in this manner. It actually gives an additional highlight to the duties of the master in having it divided in this way. They are to be responsible in the care of their bondservants, giving “what is just and fair.”

The word “just” is an adjective which means “righteous” and “impartial.” The slaves were not to be deprived a fair hearing over matters simply because they were slaves. The word “fair” is actually a noun, and it is preceded by a definite article. It signifies “equality of treatment,” and thus it should be translated as “the equality.” It is not an equality of condition, but a brotherly equality which stems from the relationship that arises from being in Christ. Though there is an earthly slave/master relationship, there is a spiritual brotherhood which is to take precedence in the master’s conduct.

The reason for this is that the believing master knows that he also has “a Master in heaven.” Christ has treated this master of others in the most caring and compassionate manner imaginable. He has also shown him the epitome of righteous treatment. Further, He has bestowed upon him the equality par excellence, raising him to the same level as any president or king who has also been saved by Christ. This equality of the brethren is thus to be bestowed upon believing bondservants.

Life application: As noted in other verses, we have a different societal structure than ancient Rome. Instead of slaves, we have employees. But the concepts remain the same. We are to be fair to those we have charge over, particularly to fellow believers. This is because our great Master, Jesus, has shown this to us as the example to follow.

Lord God, thank You for the undeserved treatment we have received from You because of the life of Jesus which was given on our behalf. We in no way merited such grace, and yet you have lavished it upon us. Help us now to act in a like manner to those around us. May we not forget the grace of Christ in our daily relationships, but rather highlight it in all ways and at all times. Amen.

Saturday, 27 May 2017

But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality. Colossians 3:25

This final verse of Chapter 3 (and the opening verse of Chapter 4) is close in thought to Ephesians 6:9 –

“And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.”

Paul has spent the last three verses of instruction on what bondservants were to do and how they were to act while under the authority of their masters. He now sums up the thought with something that will point in both directions – from the bondservant’s perspective and from the master’s – by saying, “But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done.”

This is certainly speaking of a master who would abuse his servant as much as it is talking about a servant not being faithful to his master. He is thinking on the same lines in these verses as he was with the congregation at Ephesus, and the longer thought to them can be inferred in this more brief one. This is the reason why the bondservant is to serve his master heartily. Even if the master is unfair to him, he will be repaid for his faithfulness, and the master will be repaid for his abuses. As Paul says, “…there is no partiality.”

Slave-masters are accountable to the Lord just as much as slaves are accountable to their masters. Therefore, it is implied that slave-masters are actually accountable to their slaves in a certain way, just as slaves are likewise accountable to the Lord. If the master was unfair to a slave, the Lord would see it and call him to account. There is no partiality in the Lord, and all will be rewarded based on their conduct before Him.

Life application: If you are a boss, the concepts which are true in this verse certainly apply to you. You have charge over subordinates, and you are to treat them kindly and fairly. In this, you will be a responsible Christian and a faithful servant to your heavenly Master.

Lord God, your word tells us that we are to act responsibly towards those who are placed under us. Whether boss or business owner, we are to be considerate of those who we lead. Help us, if we are in such a position, to be kind and gentle-hearted towards them, and yet firm in our responsibilities towards those who are above us. Help us to have peace in our work environments, knowing that we are ultimately accountable to Christ our Lord who will judge our actions fairly and impartially. Amen.

Friday, 26 May 2017

…knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:24

This verse, still being addressed to the bondservants, is a close parallel to Ephesians 6:8 –

“…knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.”

As a slave, this is the very last thing that they would ever dream of as coming from their owner. The very nature of being a slave is that they were property, and had no rights to any inheritance. Only a family member would receive such things. If there were no family members, the owner’s possessions would still go elsewhere, the slave included. He would simply be transferred as a part of the owner’s wealth to someone else.

But Paul tells the slaves that they were to conduct their duties in the fear of God because they would, in fact, “receive the reward of the inheritance.” Paul speaks of the inheritance of the saints quite a few times in Galatians, Ephesians, and Colossians. Likewise, the author of Hebrews, as well as Peter, speak of the inheritance of the saints. This promise is not only to those who are free in this life, but it is to be shared by those who are slaves as well. Together, all “serve the Lord Christ.”

There is one heavenly Master for all of the redeemed, and all will share in His inheritance. The share of each will not be based upon earthly position, gender, race, or any other such thing. Rather, it will be based upon what was done for the Lord in faith. Eternal rewards lie ahead for all, if they are but willing to pursue them now.

Life application: Don’t fear that your position or status in this life somehow drives your future inheritance in heaven. It doesn’t. Rather than worry about your status here, look to the future by being productive for Christ now. The highest ranking general has the same number of hours a day as the lowest private. What each does with their time for Christ is what matters.

Lord God, we have all been given the same number of hours each day to live out our lives. The president has no more or less time than anyone else to be productive in sharing Your word. And the inheritance You have promised to us is not based on status, wealth, color, race, or any other such earthly division. Rather, it is based on what we do for You now. Help us to consider this, remember it, and then apply it to the few hours a day we each have. To Your glory alone we pray. Amen.

Thursday, 25 May 2017

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, Colossians 3:23

Continuing on with his words to bondservants, Paul now tells them quite clearly that “whatever you do, do it heartily.” In the comparable passage in Ephesians 6, he told them that they were to be “doing the will of God from the heart.” The two thoughts mean essentially the same thing. The heart is to be actively willing and eager to perform the required functions necessary to please God. If bondservants “fear God” as it said in verse 22, then they will naturally do their work heartily.

Paul then continues to explain this with his next words. The duties of a bondservant are be conducted with a friendly and agreeable attitude because it is “as to the Lord and not to men” that this work is actually to be done. We may have earthly masters over us, but we are first and foremost servants of the Lord. It is to Him that we are fully accountable in all aspects of our lives.

As noted in the previous verse, we don’t have slaves or bondservants in normal society today, but we do have employers over us to whom we are to submit. And the reason remains the same. We are representatives of Christ, and thus people will make their evaluations of Him based on our actions.

Life application: Who do you feel you are serving when you go to work? A crummy boss? A greedy company? In the highest sense, you are serving the Lord. Therefore, perform your duties to the highest of your capabilities, knowing that He will reward you for your efforts in glorifying Him.

Lord God, some of us have bosses that are really crummy. Some of us work for corporations that are greedy and have no care about the world around them. To them, it is all about the amount of profit they can get out of others. And yet, when we go to our jobs, we are above all serving You. Give us the desire, as faithful followers of Christ, to perform our jobs to the utmost of our capabilities so that others will see our actions and speak well of Your name. Surely, You will reward us for our efforts in bringing such glory to You. Amen.

Wednesday, 24 May 2017

Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. Colossians 3:22

Verses 22-25 closely match Ephesians 6:5-8 –

“Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; ⁶ not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, ⁷ with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, ⁸ knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.”

There are some differences in the two passages though which will be evaluated. So far, Paul has noted relations in the immediate family within the household. This one is almost as close, and maybe even closer, as far as daily contact is concerned. The term “bondservant” is as good as one can get from the Greek word doulos. The term applies to one who is bound to the service of another. This could be a voluntary subjection or an involuntary duty, and it can also go as far as being a slave.

Their rights were extremely limited even in the best of cases. In some instances, they had virtually no rights at all. And yet, there is the note of a reward, even for them, which will be fully revealed in verse 24.

For the Christian bondservant, Paul instructs them to “obey in all things your masters.” Despite the many difficult rigors often suffered under cruel masters, Paul simply makes the command. He doesn’t qualify it with, “If they are good masters,” nor does he give any hint that they have a right to rebel. The status of slaves or bondservants was simply a fact of life. Those who were so bound were to accept it. However, he does give a note concerning slaves elsewhere that is worth citing –

“Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. ²¹ Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it.” 1 Corinthians 7:20, 21

However, as long as a person was bound, they were to be obedient to their masters. And yet, Paul adds on a descriptor for them to consider. It is a master “according to the flesh.” In other words, there are human limitations which are being spoken of here. Paul is implying that they are bondservants of Another as well, which is not according to the flesh. It is for this reason that they were to be obedient to their human master.

Paul then asks that such bondservants be obedient “not with eyeservice.” It is a word used only here and in Ephesians 6:6, and it appears to be a word invented by him. The use of it is to indicate someone who serves only when the eye of his master is present. When the master is out, he refuses to conduct his duties as he should. Paul says that this is inappropriate. Rather, a servant is to serve his master in the same manner as he would serve the Lord, which means at all times.

He next explains what that means by saying (not as) “men-pleasers.” This word is also found only here and in Ephesians 6:6. It indicates someone who is willing to please man rather than God. The idea of both of these words is that a bondservant is to look to his duties to his master (whether he is a good master or a crummy one) as if he was actually serving the Lord. In so doing, he would be a responsible representative of the Lord in the presence of his master. This is explained in the next words, “but as bondservants of Christ.”

By acting as a bondservant of Christ, even for his earthly master, he will then be doing it “in sincerity of heart, fearing God.” Paul puts a stress on the value of the heart being sincere in the performance of the bondservant’s duties. In this sincere attitude, a demonstration that one’s heart is directed toward a proper fear of God is seen. And it is God who looks upon the heart to determine the value of all people’s actions.

As we have a different system of employment in the world today, we need to adapt that system to Paul’s words. Rather than masters, we have bosses. However, we are to treat our bosses with the same respect that the bondservant is called to for his master. We are not to be employees who perform with mere eyeservice, nor are we to simply be men-pleasers. We are to act as if we are reporting to Christ, making the most efficient use of our time under the employ of our employers.

Life application: In the world, it is so easy to fall in with the “labor union” mentality. The liberal attitude, both in government and in private industry, says that it is OK to not work to the highest standard of integrity and diligence. But the Bible tells us otherwise. If you act like a democrat in your work environment by failing to give your all to your boss, you are not acting as the Lord would have you to work. It is time to mature out of your self-centered work attitude, and to become a devoted, dedicated employee. And this is regardless of the attitude of your employer. If you can’t deal with him, then it is you who needs to find another job. Think clearly! Apply the Bible and its precepts to your life! Be honoring of the Lord through your employment.

Lord God, help us to have a proper attitude in our employment. You would have us work our jobs as if we are working for Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. It isn’t always easy, but this is what You ask of us. In acting this way, productivity will be up, and whining would be down. Help us to not be whiners, but to be faithful employees who strive to seek Your honor before our earthly bosses. Amen.