Bible Commentaries
Colossians 3

Verse 1

UNION WITH CHRIST V. 1-4

1) "If ye then be risen with Christ" (,ei oun sunegerthete to Christo) "if there ye were co-raised with Christ;" This is the beginning of part two of Colossians. Warnings against false teachers ended with Colossians 2:23, Romans 6:4; Moral and ethical exhortations to heavenly conduct permeate Colossians 3:1 to Colossians 4:18 This having been co-raised with Christ refers to regeneration that calls to a separated life.

2) "Seek those things which are above" (ta ano zeteite) "Seek ye the things above," as an exile longs for and seeks home, so should those with the new (heavenly) nature seek to pursue heavenly things, holy things, Divinely sanctioned things such as truth, love, faith, charity, and fellowship with God. Hebrews 11:14-16; 1 John 1:3; Ephesians 2:6.

3) "Where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God" (ou ho Christos estin en deksia tou theou kathemenos) "Where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God;" Why translate "at," rather than "on" the right hand of God? The answer is it appears to be more expressively accurate; It also satisfies the children’s question, "Mama, why does Jesus set on God’s right hand?" Hebrews 12:2; There he makes intercession for believers, Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1-2.

Verse 2

1) "Set your affections on things above" (ta ano phroneite) “mind ye the things above," give mind or attention to the things above, spiritual things, celestial things, or heavenly things; This is a reemphasis of the previous verse, with expansion to include ones affections and disposition.

2) "Not on things on the earth" (me ta epi tes ges) "not the things on the earth;" 1 John 2:15-17; Matthew 6:19; Romans 8:5-6. All the earth lies in darkness and sin, is not to be the concern or object of the heart of the Christian, 1 John 5:19.

Verse 3

1) For ye are dead" (apethanete gar) "For ye died;" Died to sins claim, and sins slavery, Romans 6:2; Galatians 2:20.

2) "And your life is hid" (kai he zoe humon kekruptai) "And your life has been hidden," concealed, submerged, laid up, safely kept; This is life eternal, the regenerated life of all believers, John 10:28-30; John 14:19; Romans 5:10.

3) "With Christ in God" (sun to Christo en to theo) "With the Christ in the God;" In close affinity, or association, or fellowship with Christ, in the protection of God -- the trinity, John 17:21. The life of the believer is of Divine Gift and Divine keeping, 1 John 5:20. This Divine grace should elicit, call forth the best of Holy living and sanctified, sacrificial, unselfish, service in each believer.

Verse 4

1) "When Christ" (hotan ho Christos) "Whenever Christ;” The whenever expresses an indefinite, undetermined hour, but does not reflect any doubt or uncertainty of the return of Jesus Christ, Acts 1:7; Matthew 24:36.

2) "Who is our life, shall appear" (phanerothe he zoe hemon) "The life of us (our life) is manifested" Christ not only gives eternal life to the believer but he is also a pattern of unselfish, obedient, service to His Father, that his children should follow, Acts 3:15; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 Corinthians 11:1.

3) "Then shall ye also appear with him in glory" (tote kai humeis sun auto phanerothesesthe en dokse) "Then also with him ye will be manifested in glory." This pledge of (sun) with him" refers to an intimate, close association with him, refers not only to the glorified bodily redemption of every believer but also seems to refer to an affinity of those who are members of the Lord’s Church (at Colosse and other such) as having a special closeness of honor to him and with him in the Bridehood relation of the Church, Acts 1:10-11; 1 Corinthians 11:1-2; Revelation 19:5-9.

Verse 5

PROPER CHRISTIAN LIVING (or the Christian dress code) V. 5-17; 18-25)

1) "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth" (Nekrosate oun ta mele ta epi tes ’ges) put ye to death therefore the (your) members on the earth," to make flesh body members unfruitful, keep under control, gentry guard, to the Spirit or new nature, Galatians 5:24; Romans 6:6; Romans 7:23; 1 Corinthians 9:27; Romans 8:13.

a) "Fornication" (porneian) "fornication" moral impurity of illicit inter-sex relations or such may refer also to infidelity to and forsaking the true God, Matthew 5:32; 1 Corinthians 7:2; 2 Corinthians 12:11.

b) "Uncleanness" (akatharsian) "uncleanness" moral or physical uncleanness, filth, Romans 1:24; Romans 6:19; Ephesians 4:19; Ephesians 5:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:7.

c) " Inordinate affection" (pathos) "passion" corrupt or perverted affections, corrupt, Ezekiel 23:11.

d) "Evil concupiscence" (epithumian kaken) "bad desire," of fleshly lusts, Romans 7:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:5.

e) "And covetousness" (kai ten pleoneksian) "and the covetousness;" the impulse or affection of selfish desire for earthly, worldly things. Lust for riches and things they may buy is covetousness. Matthew 6:24.

f) "Which is idolatry" (hetis estin eidololatria) which is or exists as idolatry;" Ephesians 5:5. Selfish craving for worldly things is here identified as idolatry, to be put away, avoided, disapproved by every child of God. Galatians 5:20.

Verse 6

1) "For which things’ sake" (di’ ha) "because of which things," fleshly, earthly lusts, matters that antagonize the Holy One, Romans 1:18; Romans 1:24-28; Romans 1:32.

2) "The wrath of God cometh" (erchetai he orge tou theou) “is coming the wrath of God" is progressively coming, is on its way, to or toward the certain day of revelation wrath, Romans 2:5.

3) "On the children of disobedience" (not in better ancient manuscripts) On the impenitent, those who have not turned to God as His call, and warning, Psalms 7:11-12; Proverbs 1:24-31.

Verse 7

1) "In the which ye also walked sometime" (en hotis kai humeis periepatesate pote) "in which (things) ye then walked," or pursued a daily course of life in those things of moral and physical uncleanness, Romans 6:19-20; Romans 7:15; Titus 3:3.

2) "When ye lived in them" (hote ezete en toutois) when ye lived An these things" surrounded by and were a part of these sinful, lustful, impure things, 1 Peter 4:3; Ephesians 2:2.

Verse 8

1) "But now ye also put off all these" (nuni de apotheste kai humeis ta panta) "but now and hereafter put or lay aside also all these things," that follow, these kind of things, Ephesians 4:22; Hebrews 12:1; James 1:21; 1 Peter 2:1.

a) "Anger" (thumon) settled anger, pent up anger, such is to be put away, hidden from the Christian life, or laid aside like a soiled garment, Ephesians 4:26; Ephesians 4:31,

b) "Wrath" (orgen) outburst or explosion of anger pent up, an outward expression of disapproving emotions, fury, indignation, 1 Timothy 2:8.

c) "Malice" (kakian) "old grudges", malignity to cause to hurt a neighbor, or do injury to another, 1 Peter 2:1.

d) "Blasphemy ’ (blasphemian) slander, to rail against God or ones fellow man or an holy cause, Ephesians 5:4.

e) "Filthy communication out of your mouth" (aischrologian ek tou stomatos humon) "abuse out of your mouth;" filthy speech, or abusive speech, foul-mouthed abuse, let it be put out of or not proceed ou t of your mouth, 2 Peter 2:7; Judges 1:8; Revelation 17:4.

Verse 9

1) "Lie not one to another" (me pseudesthe eis allelous) “you all lie not one to another (in the Church)" quit lying, discard lying in your Christian growth experience, seems to be the imperative admonition of Paul, Proverbs 14:5; Acts 5:34.

2) "Seeing that ye have put off the old man" (apekdusamenoi ton palaion anthropon) "Having put off the old man;" by profession in conversion, and by symbol in baptism which declares one rises " to walk in the newness of life," a new pattern of life, embracing honesty and morality, Ephesians 4:22-24.

3) "With his deeds" (sun tais praksesin autou) "with his practices;" From the fall of Adam and Eve lying has been a practice pattern of the old nature. Such is to be displaced and replaced with honesty, truthfulness, and integrity of character in and among all Christians. Isaiah 63:8; Revelation 21:27. Lying is an expression of servitude to the Devil, father, of lies, John 8:44; For no lie is of the Lord, 1 John 2:21.

ERASURE OF A LIE: A little boy told a lie. His mother was grieved, and told him how much she was distressed; and, what was far more important, that God was displeased with him, that God kept a big book, and his name was written in that book, and over against the name of Alexander McPheeters there was a big black mark, for the story he had told. She noticed that the little fellow seemed serious and thoughtful all the afternoon, and that night when he was about to go to bed, he got down on his knees, and before saying his usual prayer, with great earnestness he exclaimed, "O Lord! please rub it out" That big black mark had been troubling him all day, and he wanted it rubbed out.

FATAL LIE: A little boy, for a trick, pointed with his finger to the wrong road when a man asked which way the doctor went As a result, the man missed the doctor, and his little boy died, because the doctor came too late to take a fish-bone from his throat. At the funeral, the minister said that the boy was killed by a lie, which another boy told with his finger.

--Anon.

Verse 10

1) "And have put on the new man" (kai endusamenoi ton neon) “and having put on the new man;" in practical testimony, profession, and identity with Jesus Christ and the Church; Jesus is "the truth." The Church is the support of "the truth" and the church members should be witnesses of the same, John 14:6; 1 Timothy 3:15; Acts 1:8.

2) "Which is renewed in knowledge" (ton anakalnoumenon. eis epignosin) "The one already renewed in full knowledge" being renewed, or in a renewed state, continually to be expressed in conduct that is "fresh" "different", or new in relationship to former behavior, 2 Corinthians 4:16.

3) "After the image of him that created him"" (kat’ eikona tou ktisantos auton) "according to the image of the one creating him;" or after the likeness of the living image of Jesus Christ, whose mind, will, disposition, and holy conduct each believer is to pattern and walk his life, Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 2:5-11.

Verse 11

1) "Where there is neither Greek no Jew" (hopou ouk eni Hellen kai loudios) "Where have not any place Greek and Jew;" In the "new man," "new nature," there exists no "race-tie"--the new nature has or holds no race. This does not mean however, that a Jew, Greek, or other ethnic loses his race ties in regeneration. Paul was still a Jew, Acts 21:29; and Apollos, Acts 18:24.

2) "Circumcision nor uncircumcision" (peritome kai akrobustia) "circumcision and uncircumcision;" In the new nature of regeneration neither circumcision nor uncircumcision made one acceptable to or gave one preference over another in holiness, Galatians 5:6; Galatians 6:15.

3) "Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free" (Barbaros, Skuthes, doulos, eleutheros) "Barbarian, Scythian, slave, freeman;" when one was saved as a Jew, Greek, Barbarian, Scythian, slave, or freeman, the person’s racial or social or ethnic identify was not Divinely transformed, but he did receive a liberation from the slavery of sin over the soul, no matter what his social state was or remained, 1 Corinthians 7:17-24.

4) "But Christ is all, and in all (alla panta kai en pasin Christos) "But Christ (is) all things and in all," The new nature of Christ, Divine holiness, is in the "new man," "inner man," after man’s spirit is born of God’s spirit in the experience of the new birth, 2 Corinthians 5:21; John 3:5-7; John 6:63; and this new nature of holiness should be reflected in word and deed by every true believer in Christ. This does not mean that one is to disregard or try to destroy his Jew, Greek, or racial identity after he becomes a Christian. Those who use the fact that "in Christ" there exists no racial nature pervert the Scriptures when they argue for amalgamation of the races, for the Scriptures also affirm that "in Christ Jesus" the new nature, there is neither "male nor female;" but people remain the same sex for life after conversion. See Galatians 3:28.

Verse 12

1) "Put on therefore" (endusasthe oun) "put ye on therefore," dress yourself up, arm yourselves, or identify yourselves by the uniform you wear--of morals and ethics.

2) "As the elect of God," (hos elektoi tou theou) "as chosen ones of God;" those saved to service, as children of God. Colossians 2:10; Galatians 3:26; Deuteronomy 7:6; 1 Thessalonians 1:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2; Ephesians 1:4.

3) "Holy and beloved" (hagioi kai egapemenoi) "holy and having been loved ones;" who received his love by faith and confession, John 3:16; John 13:34-35. Put on the five following virtues:

4) "Bowels of mercies" (splagchna oiktirmou) "bowels of compassion." The term "bowels" is used to refer to the seat of human affections as well as the heart, from which mercies are to be shown. Philemon 1:7; Philemon 1:12; Philemon 1:20; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.

a) "Kindness - (chrestoteta) Put on or dress up as children of God by showing kindness, sweetness of disposition toward all; Ruth 3:10; 2 Samuel 9:1; 2 Samuel 9:7; Proverbs 31:26; 2 Peter 1:7.

b) "Humbleness of mind" (tapeinophrosunen) "humility." Humility always precedes honor, Proverbs 15:33; Proverbs 18:12; Philippians 2:8; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5-6.

c) "Meekness’ (prauteta), one is to restore a fallen brother in meekness, Galatians 6:1; Follow it, 1 Timothy 6:11; Show it to all men, Titus 3:2; Show hope, 1 Peter 3:15.

d) "Longsuffering " (makrothumian) suffering or enduring testing with perseverance, without complaint, Ephesians 4:1-32; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 Corinthians 12:26; Hebrews 4:15-16; 1 Peter 2:21; Ephesians 4:2. These five virtues of mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, and longsuffering reflect and affirm ones election of God, that he is in Christ, a believer and witness, Matthew 5:15-16.

Verse 13

1) "Forbearing one another" (anechomenoi allelon) "Forbearing, learning to get along with, one another, " of all bears alive -- (1) white, (2) brown, (3) cinnamon, or (4) black, no bear is as good as "forbearing," Ephesians 4:2; Ephesians 6:9; 1 Peter 2:23.

2) "And forgiving one another" (kai charizomenoi heautois) “And forgiving yourselves (each other) in the church;" This certifies that members of the Lord’s church must forbear one another’s weaknesses and forgive one another’s sins, Matthew 6:14-15; James 2:13.

3) "If any man have a quarrel against any," (ean tis pros tina eche momphen)- "If anyone has a complaint against anyone;" an offence, a misunderstanding or an hurt to cause a breach of fellowship with God or his fellowman.

4) "Even as Christ forgave you" (kathos kai ho kurios echarisato humin) "Just as the Lord indeed forgave you all;" 2 Corinthians 2:7; 2 Corinthians 2:10; 2 Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 2:13; 1 John 1:9.

5) "So also do ye," (houtos kai humeis) "Even so ye all forgive,” “one another;” Ephesians 4:32. As Christ forgave us all our sins in salvation, even so must his children forgive one another of all wrong to avoid grieving the Holy Spirit. There is no approval place for malice, grudges, or an unforgiving Spirit to be held in the lives of God’s useful children. Ephesians 4:30-31; 2 Corinthians 9:7; James 5:9; 1 Peter 4:9; Leviticus 19:18.

Verse 14

1) "And above all these things put on Charity" (epi pasin de toutois ten agapen) "yet as a priority over all these things (put on) love;" or dress your life up in love, John 13:34; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Ephesians 5:2; 1 Peter 4:8.

2) "Which is the bond of perfectness" (ho estin sundesmos tes teleiotetos) "which exists as a bond or chain link of completeness," a distinctive feature of perfectness. Love is a bond belonging to perfection, a divine attribute, Matthew 5:48.

Verse 15

1) "And let the peace of God " (kai he eirene tou Christou) "and the peace of Christ," the peace which Christ gives; John 14:27; John 16:33.

2) "Rule in your hearts" (brabeueto en tais kardiais humon) "Let (it) rule in your hearts," or "keep your hearts (affections) in order," Romans 5:11; to keep ones mind fixed on God is to be kept or guarded in perfect peace, Isaiah 26:3.

3) "To the which also ye are called" (eis hen kai eklethete) "to which indeed (even) ye were called," to or toward which end or purpose you are all called. One is not only called from sin to salvation but also to a peace bearing mission, Matthew 5:9; Hebrews 12:14.

4) "In one body" (en eni somati) "In one body, “one particular kind of a body" -- the church. It was to the "church ye," Paul was writing at Colosse, not to an invisible, unlocated, invisible, mystical, imaginary body, as presumed by the "universal church" promoters, Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:24.

5) "And be ye thankful" (kai eucharistoi gin’ esthe) and be or become ye thankful," persons of gratitude of your own accord, or pattern of daily attitude; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 2:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

Verse 16

1) "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly" (ho logos tou Christou enoikeito en humin plousios) "Let the word of Christ indwell you richly, (plutocratically" “set up its abode in you" as in experience, memory or a permanent part of your thought processes, as David, Psalms 119:11; 1 Peter 3:15.

2) "In all wisdom" (en pasa sophia) "in all (manner of) wisdom;” wisdom from above, as directed by the word, that perfectly furnishes to every good work, in worship and service, 1 Corinthians 1:24; 1 Corinthians 1:30; James 1:5; James 3:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

3) "Teaching and admonishing one another" (didaskontes kai nouthetountes heautous) "continually progressively teaching and admonishing yourselves, one another, Ephesians 5:19-20; Acts 17:11.

a) "In Psalms" (psalmois) "the music of psalms, or psalms written to be accompanied by music;" This specifically refers to the use of the inspired psalms in which the use of instrumental music was inherent as immersion is in baptism.

b) "And hymns" (humnois) ordained melodic method of confession, devotion, instruction, and warning.

c) "And spiritual songs" (hodais pneumatikais) songs or odes with a spiritual message or testimony.

4)"Singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (en te chariti adontes. en tais kardiais humon to theo) "Singing in the grace in your hearts to God," the trinity or Godhead, James 5:13. Both vocal and instrumental music are here sanctioned, as in Psalms 150:1-6.

Verse 17

1) "And whatsoever ye do" (kai pan ho ti ean poiete) "And everything (or) whatever ye do," as an act or deed; The "whatsoever" of thing, of this instruction, is as inclusive as the "whosoever" of John 3:16; James 1:22; Matthew 7:21.

2) "In the word or deed" (en logon e en ergo) "in word or in work", in your whole activity of life, in what you do and what you say, John 14:15.

3) "Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus" (panta en onomati kuriou lesou) "Do all things in the name (by the authority) of the Lord Jesus." Do what you do after the manner authorized by the Lord Jesus; John 15:14; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 10:31.

4) "Giving thanks to God and the Father by him" (eucharistountes to theo patri di’ autou) "continually giving thanks to God the Father through him," through whom prayers and praises are acceptable to the Father, 1 Corinthians 15:57; 2 Corinthians 1:11; 2 Corinthians 2:14; Revelation 4:9.

Verse 18

1) "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands" (hai gunaikes, hupotassesthe tois andrasin) be ye subject to the (your) husbands" as ordained of God in Eden, for domestic tranquillity and proper service and honor to God, Genesis 3:16; In following this Divine injunction the wife realizes the greatest degree of usefulness and finds the greatest possible honor in life, Ephesians 5:22-24; 1 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Peter 3:1-5.

2) "As it is fit in the Lord" (hos aneken en kurio) "as (it) is befitting in the Lord-," in the will and provided order of the Lord for the family unit of society. This is God’s order and any other order is out of order. This submission is not that of a vassal-slave, but of a surrendered Christian.

Verse 19

1) "Husbands, love your wives" (hoi andres, agapate tas gunaikas) "Husbands, love your wives," High holy love and reverence is required of the Christian husband for his wife, with which as head of the wife, he will not abuse her any more than his own flesh. Philippians 2:3; 1 Peter 3:7; 1 Peter 5:5.

2) "And be not bitter against them" (kai me pikrainesthe pros autas) "and do not be bitter to or toward them;" The husbands primacy over the wife is to be exercised not with harshness, unkindness, sharpness, or brutality, but with guidance and direction in wisdom, tenderness, sweetness and peace, with all bitterness put away, laid aside or avoided, Ephesians 4:31; Hebrews 12:15; James 3:14.

CYRUS AND THE CAPTIVES: The historian Xenophon relates, that when Cyrus had taken captive a young prince of Armenia, together with his beautiful and blooming wife, of whom he was remarkably fond, they were brought before the tribunal of Cyrus to receive their sentence. The warrior inquired of the prince what he would give to be reinstated in his kingdom; and he replied, that he valued his crown and his liberty at a very low rate, but if the noble conqueror would restore his beloved wife to her former dignity and possessions, he would willingly pay his life for the purchase. The prisoners were dismissed, to enjoy their freedom and former honors; and each was lavish in praises of the conqueror, "And you," said the prince, addressing his wife, "what think you of Cyrus?" "I did not observe him," she replied. "Not observe him!" exclaimed her husband, "upon whom, then, was your attention fixed?" "Upon that dear and generous man," she replied, "who declared his readiness to purchase my liberty at the expense of his life."

--Gray & Adams

Verse 20

1) "Children obey your parents" (ta tekna hupakouete tois goneusin) "children, you all obey your parents" children are to recognize in their parents a lawful source of command in their family society circle, Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Proverbs 6:20-23.

2) "In all things’ (kata panta) "in all respects" The stubborn and rebellious child against parental instruction, except corrected, becomes the lawless adult in society and prison occupant and society problem later. Proverbs 1:8; Luke 2:51.

3) "For this is well pleasing unto the Lord," (touto gar euareston estin en kurio) -For this (respect and obedience) is well pleasing in the Lord;" Ephesians 6:1-3; Deuteronomy 5:16. Lengthened life and prosperity are promised by the Lord to children who honor, respect, and obey their parents in the Lord. To learn obedience to parents in youth, and obedience to them in everything, is to learn to subdue or control self-will, so necessary in the Christian life, Ephesians 5:17; Romans 12:2.

Verse 21

1) "Fathers, provoke not your children to anger" (hoi pateres me erethizete ta tekna humon) ye fathers provoke not your little children;" to or toward anger, bitterness, resentment, Ephesians 6:4. To provoke or prod one to anger is forbidden in the Scriptures and causes both the one provoking and the one provoked to sin, Proverbs 15:1; Proverbs 20:2-3; Colossians 3:8.

2) "Lest they be discouraged" (hina me athumosin) "In order that they not be disheartened," or discouraged at seeing their parents so difficult to please, Numbers 32:9; Deuteronomy 1:28. A sower of or an incitement to discouragement, in disobedience to the Lord, is a grave sin. Deuteronomy 1:21; Numbers 21:4; Isaiah 42:4.

Verse 22

1) "Servants, obey in all things" (hoi douloi hupakouete kata panta) you (who are) servants, obey in all respects;" the Christian home order was (1) husbands were to obey the Lord, (2) Wives’ their husbands, (3) Children their parents, and (4) slaves, their masters, Ephesians 6:5; 1 Timothy 6:1.

2) "Your masters according to the flesh" (tois kata sarka kurios) "your lord’s or masters according to the flesh, those who have bought or inherited you." The implied thought is that the master was not to command or required obedience of his servant in spiritual things. Titus 2:9; 1 Peter 2:18.

3) "Not with eye-service" (me en opthalmodouliais) “not with eye-service," serving only when the master’s eye is on you, deceitful, insincere service, or double-dealing.

4) "As menpleasers" (hos anthropareskoi) "as pleasers of men,” for the praise of men, instead of honesty before God, Ephesians 6:5-6.

5) "But in singleness of heart" (all’ en haploteti kardias) in single-purpose of affections," Ephesians 6:7. Obey the masters of you with simplicity, not pretence or a show of the flesh.

6) "Fearing God" (phoboumenoi ton kurion) continually fearing or holding reverence to the Lord," Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Ephesians 6:8; 1 Peter 2:18; Titus 2:9.

Verse 23

1) "And whatsoever ye do" (ho en poiete) “whatever you all do;” all members of each family and all members of the Church at Colosse, persons and parties of Paul’s address, 1 Corinthians 10:31.

2) "Do it heartily" (ek psuches ergazesthe) "You work from the soul," or "do it from the soul;” James 1:22; do it "with all your might," Ecclesiastes 9:10.

3) "As to the Lord"(hos to kurio) "as to (the) Lord," “you work or give account as to the Lord of glory," not an earthly master, Philippians 4:18; Hebrews 13:21.

4) "And not unto men" (kai ouk anthropois) "and not (merely) to men," or as serving or pleasing men, 1 Thessalonians 2:4-7.

Verse 24

1) "Knowing that of the Lord" (eidotes hoti apo kuriou) ’ Perceiving that from the Lord;" knowing that as a certainty of the Gospel’s call to salvation and obedient service, Proverbs 11:18; Romans 2:6-7.

2) "Ye shall receive the reward" (apolempsesthe ten antapodosin) "ye receive the reward;" the reward or pay for obedient service in whatever family position of service you may obey God and his servants to whom you owe respectful obedience, 1 Corinthians 3:8; 1 Thessalonians 2:19.

3) "Of the inheritance" (tes kleronomias) "of the heirsetting, or heritage; this refers to an hour of our Lord’s rewarding every obedient servant with heir-setting positions of honor in the blessed millennial age, Colossians 2:18; 2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 5:10; Luke 19:16-19; Luke 19:26.

4) "For ye serve the Lord Christ" (to kurio Christo douleuete) "for the anointed Lord of all ye serve;" he is more to be honored and obeyed than earthly persons, lords or masters of any and all ranks, Joshua 24:15-16; Matthew 4:10; Revelation 22:3.

Verse 25

1) "But he that doeth wrong" (ho gar adikon) "For the one doing wrong;" the Christian slave was not to think God would overlook deceitful wrong only because he was saved. Every sin, wrong, or transgression is to receive a just recompence of retribution, Hebrews 2:2; Proverbs 8:36; Galatians 6:7-8.

2) "Shall receive for the wrong which he hath done" (komisetai ho edikesen) "will receive what he did wrong" Romans 2:8-9; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Matthew 12:36-37; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Corinthians 3:13-15; 2 John 1:8. To the child of God who has done or lived wrongly he shall receive a loss of rewards, while the lost shall receive punishment in hell with differing degrees. Matthew 11:22; Matthew 10:15.

3) "And there is no respect of persons" (kai ouk estin prosopolempsia) "And there exists no respect of persons," before the anointed Lord. All shall be righteously judged, without respect of person, or earthly rank, by Jesus Christ, according to his Word, Romans 2:11; Romans 2:16; 1 Peter 1:17; Romans 14:12; Deuteronomy 10:17.