Bible Commentaries
Colossians 3

Verses 1-4

New Aims for New Men - 3:1-4

1If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

In Col_2:20 Paul argued that we were dead with Christ. He extends the same line of reasoning here. We have been raised to a new life in Christ. There has been a spiritual resurrection from our death to sin. We have a new life after baptism. ( Rom_6:4 )

The "if" here is not a doubt about their baptism. The word is "since" they have been baptized, they ought to change their lives and behavior.

Our goal is higher than this life. We must develop a desire for things of a higher plane. Study Mat_6:33 ; 1Pe_3:11 .

In Joh_8:23 Jesus makes a clear difference in things above and things of this world.

The right hand of God represents power and authority. Many are waiting for Christ to set up his kingdom and begin to reign. He is already the King of His Kingdom. ( Rev_1:9 ; Col_1:13 )

1 - If you have been raised to a new life, set your desires on the spiritual blessings from above, where Christ is now reigning.

2Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

Vincent "seek-practical striving - - set your mind - the inward impulse and disposition."

There is no room for divided loyalty in Christ. ( Mat_6:24 ) The mind is either on Christ, or it is on the material things of this earth. This is not a 50/50 proposition.

2 - Set your mind only on the things above. Do not try to divide your mind by thinking on material things part of the time.

3For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Here is news - You died. When you were baptized, you died to sin. You died to self. You died to the things of this world. You died to the world. You died to the lust of the world.Phillips "you have already died" SEB "since you have died"

Vincent "No longer in the sphere of the earthly and sensual, but is with the life of the risen Christ, who is unseen with God."

We have been hidden away. SEB "your life has been hidden away" Vine "to cover, conceal, keep secret" We are not to live the Christian life in secrecy. But the value of our life is tucked away in heaven with Christ. Thayer "Christ is now hidden from sight in heaven but hereafter to return visibly."

3 - You have died to this world, and your life is now found with the risen Christ, who is unseen by this earthly world.

4When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Phillips "Christ, the secret center of our lives" Without Christ our life would have no value, meaning or purpose. As Christians, our life IS Christ. He is not a part of our life. He is the sum of our existence.

When Christ appears, we appear. NEB "is manifested" NASB "when Christ is revealed"

Study 1Jn_3:2 ; Rom_3:21

ZA "to appear, bring to light, shine, be visible." We will shine like Christ shines. We will be like Him.

4 - Christ is your life. When he is made visible, you will be seen with him in glory.

Verses 5-11

Mortifying the Old Nature - 3:5-11

5Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

When you see the word "therefore" you need to check back to see what it is there for.

You died. You now live in Christ. You can not hold on to the old sins of the old man.

In the movie "Psycho" a man was trying to hang onto his long-dead mother. We must not be guilty of the same behavior.

Paul gives a short list of sins to which we have died.

Fornication - The Greek word (pornea) is the root of our English word pornography. This is a broad and open term which is applied to any kind of sexual behavior which is not proper. This word is used to describe incest ( 1Co_5:1 ), homosexuality ( Jud_1:7 ), and prostitution ( 1Co_6:15-17 ). Every sexual act not approved by God is included in this word.

Uncleanness - This word expands to include all that is dirty, naughty, close to fornication, but, perhaps "not going all the way." Thayer "uncleanness a) physical Mat_23:27 b) moral sense Rom_1:24 , c) impure motives 1Th_2:3 " While fornication deals with the actual act, uncleanness has to do with the mind.

Passion - NIV "lust" Phillips "uncontrolled passion" This word is narrow and more intense. Vincent "the diseased condition out of which lust springs" Vine "denotes whatever one suffers or experiences in any way, a passionate desire. In the N. T. always of bad desires."

Evil desire - The KJV has "evil concupiscence" but most translate this "evil desires." Thayer " to set one's heart upon" This is a broader term. Vincent "whole world of active lusts and desires"

Covetousness - SEB "greed" Phillips "lust for other peoples goods" It is more than the desire to obtain what another has. Many think that it would be OK to desire one "like it." Listen to Thayer "greedy, desire to have more, avarice" Vincent "the soul's devotion to any object which usurps the place of God."

All Christians are aware that idol worship is wrong. All the items in this list are in the same class. Vincent "seeing it stands in the category of" We punish the adulterer and praise the cleaver business man who cheats or lies. We tend to find some sins "respectable." Paul says to put them in the category of idolatry. If an idol worshiper would not make a good deacon, then neither would a greedy man.

5 - Finish the job of putting to death the earthly parts of your nature. These would include: sexual sins, impurity, vile passions, evil desires, and greed, which is in the same category as idolatry.

6Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,

We often talk about the love, kindness, mercy and grace of God. We seldom discuss His wrath and anger. Phillips "holy anger of God" Vincent "present tense denotes the certainty of the future event" Vine "settled condition, less sudden, more lasting - active emotion"

Study Rev_6:13-17 ; Rev_19:11-15 ; 2Th_1:6-9 .

The lost are described as children of disobedience. Thayer "uncompliant, impersuasible" Vine " lit. to not persuade, unpersuadable, denotes obstinacy" Those that do not know God and those who will not obey are the subjects of God's wrath.

6 - Because of these sins, God's righteous wrath will come on all who live in open rebellion against Him.

7in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.

SEB "you used to live that way" This has reference to the practice of lifestyle of sin.

Many sins are not just acts of sin, but a lifestyle of sin. There is a difference in one who tells a lie and a liar. There is a difference between on who steals and a thief. There is a deviation between one who commits an act of adultery and one who is an adulterer. One is not a homosexual only when they are engaged in some deviant sexual activity.

Some today are trying to argue that all sin is just an act - not a state or condition of sin. Here some sins are identified as a sin in which people live, walk, eat, sleep, breath, work and play. It is not just an act of sin, but a condition of the heart and life.

NOTE: Fornication is not just an act performed. It is a life-lived. Compare to 1Co_6:9-11 . Such WERE some of you - Not you used to DO these thing - You WERE these things.

7 - These were the common practices of your old life. They were conditions in which you lived.

8But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

Strip away as you would take off wet clothes or dirty clothes. Paul is going to begin another list. This is a list of sins which must be stripped away.

Anger and wrath and used to describe the two basic types of anger.

The first is the explosive type. It is quick to rise, often with violence, and quick to go away. It is like a match and a gallon of gasoline. Whoosh! It explodes and is over. Thayer "boiling up and soon subsiding" Vine "quick blaze" It is not the emotion which is wrong.

The second word describes the slow building type. It will lead to an explosion, but not right away. This anger has a long fuse. Neither of these types is wrong. How the anger is vented or stored is the sin. Study Eph_4:26-27 .

Malice is "bad, of bad quality or disposition, worthless, corrupt, criminal, morally bad." (ZA) Vine "badness in quality, vicious character (lit. opposite of excellence)" It is translated "naughtiness" in Jam_1:22 .

Blasphemy is to injure another by hurtful speech. Vine "from (plapto - to injure; phemo - to speak) Speech defamatory to the Divine Majesty." ZA "to speak of God or divine things in terms of impious irreverence."

Filthy communication is the lowest form of speech. Vine "any kind of base utterance, the utterance of an uncontrolled tongue" See also Eph_4:28 . There are many words in use today that do not take God's name in vain. They are gutter words. Filthy words and gutter language must not be part of the Christian's vocabulary.

NOTE: Profanity comes in several forms.

Taking God's name in vain

Swearing

Cursing

Gutter language

Blasphemy

Euphemisms - Are we trying to strip these away from us? OR are we trying to see how close we can come to them without pronouncing the words?

8 - Strip away from yourselves all of these: Outbursts of anger, grudge holding, meanness, injurious speech, gutter language.

9Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,

Lying is added to the list. Vine "to deceive by lies (always in the middle voice in the N. T.)" The middle voice shows an action which one does to himself. A lie is never an action to blame on others. We have tried to sub-divide this sin. God has not. See Rev_21:8 .

The list in verse 5 were sins of life and character. This list is one of deeds. When you put away the old man you should put away the character and life-style and also the deeds of that life.

9 - Do not lie. If you have put off the old man then put off the evil practices that go with him.

10and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,

Just as "put off" described the stripping away of dirty clothes, "put on" means to clothe oneself. We are to put on the armor of God ( Eph_6:11 ). We are to be dressed in Christian qualities ( Col_3:12 ). This is the word used of the Holy Spirit's coming on Pentecost in Luk_24:49 .

We must be refreshed and renewed. ZA "to invigorate, renew, renovation" Thayer "to cause to grow up, to make new, complete change for the better" Vine "to make new, not recent but different" Study the meaning of "new" in 2Co_5:17 .

The image of our Creator should be visible to all. Vine "moral representations of what God is" We were created in God's image. ( Gen_1:26-27 ) When we put on the new man - we really are returning to the form which God created.

10 - You should be putting on the new man who is being renewed in the image of God as you were created.

11where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

In God's church there is no room for prejudice of any kind. Any action which segments by class, race, social standing or ethnic origin is to be put away.

The reference to "Greek" often in the New Testament is more than those from Greece. It is often used of all who are not Jews. It is parallel with Gentile. See Rom_1:16 .

Circumcision was the sign of being in covenant with God under the Law of Moses. Some were making a distinction in the church of those circumcised and others.

The word "barbarian" means one who does not know the Greek language, thus uneducated. It was thought that one who did not know Greek was a "cave man" type that could only grunt "bar bar." The only people lower than the uneducated were the Scythians. Vincent "more barbarous than the barbarians. Herodotus describes them as living in wagons, offering human sacrifices, scalping and sometimes flaying slain enemies, drinking their blood, and using their skulls for drinking cups."

It makes no difference to Christ if you are a bought and owned slave. In Christ you are free from the bonds of slavery.

Christ is everything. SEB "everything in everything" Phillips "Christ is all that matters. He lives in all of them."

11 - In the new creation there is not difference between Greek and Jew, those circumcised and those not circumcised, barbarian and Scythian, slave and free-born. Christ is all of everything. He is all that matters because he lives in all of us.

Verses 12-17

Putting on the New - 3:12-17

12Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

Because none of the above distinctions are valid, all of us must clothe ourselves with what is right and proper.

We are God's chosen ones. God choose to save those who are obedient to Christ. ( Eph_1:3-5 )

"Bowels of mercies" (KJV) is a reference to emotions and feelings. SEB "tender feelings" NIV "compassion" Thayer "the viscera, which were thought to be the seat of compassion" Compassion goes to the very heart and seat of the emotions. Without compassion it is not possible to be right with God or man. ( 1Jn_3:17-18 )

Kindness has to do with being good. Vine "goodness of heart" See Rom_3:12 .

Humbleness is a mental state. ZA "humility of mind and deportment, modesty" Perhaps this is the most difficult trait to acquire. Just when we think we are humble, we lose it. Study Php_2:5-8 .

Meekness is difficult to express in English. It is an internal quality, not an action. Study Mat_5:5 .

We must learn to endure. Thayer "to be of long spirit, enduring misfortunes and troubles, slow to anger" Vine "longsuffering is the quality of self-restraint in the face of provocation which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish" God is longsuffering. ( 2Pe_3:9 ) Love suffers long and still remains kind. ( 1Co_14:4 )

12 - Because we are chosen of God, we should dress ourselves in compassion, kind disposition, humility, and the inner qualities of gentleness and patience in difficult situations.

13bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

Paul continues this idea of holding back. SEB "put up with one another" Vine "to hold up, to bear with, endure" Thayer "a holding back, delaying"

We must be forgiving. Phillips "be ready to forgive" Thayer "to do something pleasant or agreeable, to do a favor, gratify, to grant forgiveness, pardon" The idea is that forgiving is not earned or merited. It is a form of the word "grace."

We must not quarrel with each other. Even if your complaint is a valid one, be ready to forgive.

Remember, you too, were forgiven by Christ. Why can't we forgive each other? Study Eph_4:32 and Mat_6:9-15 . Our forgiveness is directly tied to our willingness to forgive others.

13 - We must learn to put up with each other and forgive each other. If we have a cause to blame someone, learn to be forgiving as Christ has been toward us.

14But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

Using the metaphor of clothing and getting dressed as a Christian, Paul adds another article of clothing to put on - Love. We must put off some things. We must put on some things. And over all these garments, put on love.

Love is an often abused and misused word today. Love (Greek word "agape") does not describe some emotional feeling or attachment. It is the decision to seek what is best for another. Thayer "to have preference for, wish well to, regard the welfare of" Vine "love seeks the welfare of all ( Rom_15:2 ), and works no ill to any ( Rom_13:8-10 ). Christian love, whether exercised toward the brethren, or toward men generally, is not an impulse from the feelings. It does not always run with the natural inclinations."

There is a stronger bond that holds us together. NEB "to bind together and complete the whole" NIV "bind in perfect unity" Vine "that which binds together" This word is used in the iniquity of Simon in Act_8:23 , and of the peace of unity in Eph_4:3 . The word "perfect" means complete, full grown, mature. Love is the overcoat that makes us complete.

14 - Love is like an outer garment that covers us. It is the Christian's tie that bind us as we grow to maturity.

15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

There are three types of peace needed in our lives. 1) Peace with ourselves. We must have an understanding of the forgiveness of our sins. 2) Peace with others. 3) There must be peace with God.

Peace must not just be present, it must rule. Peace must be a controlling factor is our actions. The word "rule" is from the same word as "cheat" (2:18). It refers to a referee or umpire in a game. Vine "to act as an umpire, to arbitrate" Paul is now on the positive side of this word. Who writes your rules? Not the self-proclaimed false teacher. Let God and the peace that comes from our relationship with Him be the umpire in our life.

We are in one body. The church is that one body. We are called by the gospel ( 2Th_2:14 ) to leave the darkness of sin and enter the light of Christ ( Col_1:13 ).

Paul keeps reminding us to be grateful. We can not be reminded enough. In everyplace, situation, and difficulty there is much about which to be thankful. How can we be so ungrateful to a God so good? Why do we have so little trouble counting our problems and so much trouble counting our blessings? Keep saying it, Paul. We still need reminding.

15 - Allow God's peace to make the decisions in your heart. This is the life to which you have been called. Always be thankful.

16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Christ should live in us richly. SEB "live among you in an abundant way" Phillips "let Christian teaching live in your hearts" Vine "to dwell in, from 'oikos' - house" The teaching of Christ must take up residence within us. For too many, Christ only comes for an occasional visit.

Each Christian teaches and admonishes others as they sing. This passage rejects the idea of a choir or other group that sings while most listen. NIV "teach and counsel" NEB "instruct and admonish" Vine "teach is the impartation of positive truth; admonished is the call for warning" To warn others is not just for preachers and elders. It is for everyone. ( Rom_15:14 ) In our singing we can warn of sin and judgment to come.

Psalms are sacred songs of Scripture. Generally this category of song is from the poetic passages of the inspired Word, set to music. In NT times they were chants of scripture. "Seek you First" and "Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah" are psalms.

Hymns are songs of praise, usually addressed to God. Some hymns are about God or Christ. All hymns are songs of praise and adoration. "How Great Thou Art" and "A Mighty Fortress is our God" are examples of hymns.

Spiritual songs are the songs that we sing to teach, encourage, motivate each other. These songs, compared to the first two types of song, are less praise to God, and more teaching and warning each other. "We are Marching to Zion" and "To the Work" are examples of spiritual songs.

Psalms - scripture set to music

Hymns - songs of praise to or about God

Spiritual songs - songs to encourage each other

The word that has caused more discussion in the religious world is the word translated "singing." Thayer "common in Greek of every period to sing, chant the lyrical emotion of a devout and grateful soul." Vine "always used of praise to God" ZA "to sing"

The question of instrumental music has caused a problem in every major denomination and caused a major division among churches of Christ in 1906. Is vocal music commanded and instrumental music forbidden? Yes! There are several ways to discuss this subject.

Specific command - General commands allow the specifics open to judgment and expedient obedience. Noah was commanded to use gopher wood. We are to use the fruit of the vine in communion. These are specific and leave no room for our opinion, judgment or what we believe is expedient.

Law of Exclusion - When a thing is commanded all other things in the same category are excluded. To send a child to the store for a loaf of bread, limits all other items that may be in the store. It is not necessary to list each item which is not wanted. They are excluded.

Attitude toward Scripture - Either we are free to do anything no specifically forbidden or we are limited to what is commanded. Is the Bible the only source of authority? Study Heb_7:12-14 .

Law of Addition - God has forbidden us to add to His law. ( Rev_22:18-19 ) Instrumental music is added to the singing. Would it be permissible to have fruit of the vine AND cola in communion? No! Neither are we permitted to sing and play.

Law of Intent - Not only did God give us the command, but He explained what purpose was intended by this command. Study the chart below and notice that the instrument can not meet ANY of the purposes for which singing was designed by God.

Intent Voice Instrument

Teach Can Cannot

Admonish Can Cannot

With grace Can Cannot

In your heart Can Cannot

To each other Can Cannot

Speaking Can Cannot

Merry Can Cannot

Understanding Can Cannot

Praise Can Cannot

We should sing with grace in our hearts. When we understand the fact of God's grace to us, then we are "gracious" in our treatment of others. Our singing must be with the beauty and grace that is due a gracious Lord.

Our singing is to be directed, primarily, to God. He is the object of our worship. Worship is not for our pleasure or enjoyment. Worship is to praise God. That is why we assemble for worship each week. Study Joh_4:23-24 .

16 - Let the teachings of Christ reside in you. Instruct and warn each other in psalms, songs of praise and spiritual music. Sing to God from a heart filled with gratitude.

17And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Paul now broadens the scope from just singing to every activity of life. Phillips "whatever you may have to do"

SEB "everything you say or do" NEB "speak or act" There is nothing that is not included here.

All that we do must be done by the authority of Christ. SEB "by the authority" This phrase should not cause us any problem. But tradition has caused us to change its meaning. This phrase does NOT mean to "say the name." In prayer and at a baptism many have written a rule that the name of Jesus must be said out loud. The meaning is the same as a police officer saying, "Stop, in the name of the law." He is speaking by the authority that the law gives to him. Whatever we do must be done by the authority given to us by Christ.

Prayer - In Joh_15:16 we are told that "whatsoever you ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you." In no place are we commanded to SAY that our prayer is in the name of Jesus. While making such a statement is not wrong or out of place, the prayer is not make invalid if such words are omitted.

Baptism - Act_2:38 commands us to be baptized "in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins." Study Act_8:12 ; Act_10:48 . The same point is made here. We are commanded to baptize by the authority of Christ. What words must be said are not given. What is said, if anything, has no power to make the baptism valid. If the words said make the baptism proper and acceptable to God, then the power of baptism is reduced to a spell or a witch's incantation. The power of baptism is in Christ and his blood rather than in some words spoken.

We must give God the glory and thanks. Here is gratitude again. The direction of our praise and gratitude is toward God. The thanks we offer to men is not wrong. We should also thank God for those people who have aided us.

The avenue of approach to God is through Christ. Jesus the our mediator. ( 1Ti_2:5 ) Again, the emphasis is not on the words pronounced, but on the attitude of the heart. We have no right to go around our mediator. He is on our side. He will take before God the desires of our heart even when, because of emotion, we are not able to express them in words. ( Rom_8:26-27 ; Rom_8:34 )

17 - Whatever you say or do should be done by the authority of Jesus. All thanks should go to the Father through him.

Verses 18-25

Practical Injunctions - 3:18 - 4:1

18Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

As he does in several letters, Paul spends some time in the practical area and addresses several groups of Christians.

SEB " put yourselves under your husbands authority" Thayer "to arrange under - subordinate - to subject one's self, to place under" Vine "a military term, to rank under"

This is where God intended the female to fit. ( Gen_2:18 ) There are only three restrictions place upon women because of their sex.

They are not to teach over the man.

They are not to be in power over the man.

They are to be in submission to their husbands.

Some feel this is a form of slavery. Wrong. Study the next verse. If the man loves his wife as he should, his rule will not be cruel. The restrictions listed are not rules of a sexists. They are rules of order. The male and female were created with the physical and emotional ability to fit each other's needs. Each is suited where the other is lacking. Neither should consider themselves as second class citizens in the kingdom of God. ( Gal_3:28 ) In the home, God has placed the man in authority.

18 - Wives should place themselves under their husbands. This fits God's plan.

19Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.

To prevent the husband from being a cruel dictator, the husbands are given this command. See my comments on love at Col_3:14 .

It may seem strange to command husbands to love their wives. Remember that love is not an emotion. It is a decision of the will. It is a decision about how we will treat and act toward others. Husbands must seek what is best for the wife, above his own desires.

The positive command is to love them. The negative command is - Do not be bitter against them.

NIV "don't be harsh with them" Phillips "do not let bitterness and resentment spoil your marriage" As the wife is to submit, so the husband is to treat her with honor ( 1Pe_3:7 ) and the mutual respect ( Eph_5:21 ) due her. Thayer "bitter gall, bitter root, bitter hatred" Vine "to embitter, irritate, or make bitter."

Eph_5:21 teaches mutual respect. Often the most intelligent thing a husband can do is listen to his wife. Husbands must not be guilty of "ruling the roost." The husband is the head of the house. The wife is the neck. Often it is the neck that turns the head.

19 - Husbands are to love their wives. They must not allow bitterness to destroy the relationship.

20Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

Children are to obey their parents (plural) both of them. Both parents are involved in the guiding, teaching, and decisions concerning their children. The children are to obey. Vine "to listen, to attend, to obey"

In obeying parents, we please Christ. The way to please God is through our service to others. When we treat others in a proper manner we are pleasing God. Study Mat_25:31-46 ; Mat_10:40-42 . Children should be taught to obey parents, teachers, and others in authority because this is the way to please God.

20 - Children are to obey their parents in everything. This is the way children can please God.

21Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

Fathers are next to be addressed. There are two commands for fathers.

Do not provoke your children. NASB "do not exasperate" Phillips "don't over correct" NIV "not embitter" This word is of the same root as "bitter" in verse 19. Our strength often becomes our weakness. When our ability to lead, make decisions and control gets out of hand it leads to bitterness and rebellion. Men are to be dominate, but not dominating. The are to be in charge, but not bossy. This is a very important point for elders and deacons because it demonstrates their leadership style.

Don't let them become discouraged. NASB "lose heart" Phillips "grow up feeling inferior and frustrated" Fathers set the atmosphere in which their wives and children will live. The Greek word translated "discouraged" is "athumeo." Vine "a-negative, thumos - spirit, courage, feeling, passion (hence Eng., fume) Thayer "disheartened, dispirited, broken in spirit" Harsh rebuking will lead to rebellion.

21 - Fathers should not treat their children with harsh rebuking. This will only lead to bitterness and resentment.

22Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eye service, as men pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.

Paul addresses those Christians who are bond slaves. There are three types of servants in the time of the New Testament. 1) The slave. 2) The hired servant. 3) An employee. We abhor slavery in any form. But whether one was a slave or a master who owned slaves was not a factor in their ability to be a Christian.

I made this point in Russia. Communist state or free, does not change our ability to obey, worship and serve God.

Picture this - At a church assembly there are both slaves and masters. Can you imagine a slave leading his master in prayer? Can you imagine a slave being one of the elders?

Obey in all things. On the job, they are the boss. Obey them. While we do not have slavery in America, the rules would apply to all employees. If you work for someone you have the responsibility to obey them.

NIV "not only when they are looking on you" SEB "don't serve them only when under the master's eye, diligently performed when he is looking, but neglected in his absence."

We must not be a man pleaser. ZA "desirous of pleasing men" Vine "one who endeavors to please men and not God" Phillips "not with the idea of curring vavor"

We must fear God. Thayer "reverence, venerate" Vine "a wholesome dread of displeasing him, a fear which banishes the terror that shrinks from His presence."

22 - Slaves are to obey their masters in this human relationship. Seek to please them, not just when thei are watching, but with integrity of heart. You are really working for God.

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

NIV "work at it with all your heart" SEB "work at it really hard" Phillips "put your whole hear and soul into it" We must never be guilty of working at less than our best. If we feel we are underpaid, if working conditions are not the best, of our boss is hard to please - we must do the best job we can. God expects us to do the best we can with what ability we have, where we are. "Bloom where you are planted"

Remember - it is not the boss, the company or the place. We are working for God. God is our boss. You are really working for Christ. He is your Master. How would you act if Christ asked you to do a job? Phillips "as unto work done for the Lord."

23 - Work at everything you do will all the ability you have. Put everything into all you do. Remember: You are working for Christ, not men.

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

At the end of the week (or month) you will get a paycheck. But the real reward is from God. You receive a paycheck from your employer, but that is only to tide you over until you get the REAL pay - heaven. "The Christian's retirement benefits are out of this world." Any rewards you get now are just to carry us through until the inheritance is given to us.

NASB "It is the Lord Christ whom you serve" Remember that it is in serving others that we serve Christ.

Many are caught up in their jobs and feel trapped in a life cycle of work and sleep. Many people go to work without purpose to their lives. Life becomes full of stress or it becomes dull and boring. We overlook the fact that Christ is our Master. We are working for Him. How can that be dull?

24 - Your reward will come from the Lord. Christ is your Master.

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

There will also be rewards for the wicked. Phillips "wicked man will be punished for his misdeeds" SEB "paid back for the wrong" NASB "receive the consequences of the wrong"

If you have been treated unfairly, do not take revenge. God will deal with the wicked. ( Rom_12:19-21 ) If we punish others, we become as wrong as they are and we are acting in the place that belongs to God. God uses civil authorities to punish those who do wrong.

There will be no favoritism in God's judgment. God is just and equal. God is an impartial judge.

25 - If a man treats others unfairly (whether he is a master or a slave) he will receive the consequences of his wrong. God punishes without showing favoritism.