“18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. 4:1 Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.” (Colossians 3:18-4:1)
… In Your Relationships:
- A word to wives.
“Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” (v. 18)
Submission does not cancel out equality, value, or importance.
Submission: to willingly put yourself under, to willingly arrange yourself under someone, for a good and proper purpose.
- A word to husbands.
“Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.” (v. 19)
Agapeo: to honor, value, respect, guard, protect, show delight in your wife.
- A word to children.
“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.’ (v. 20)
Obey: to hear under someone.
- A word to fathers (parents).
“Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.” (v. 21)
- A word to Christian slaves (employees).
“Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.” (v. 22)
- A word to Christian masters (employers).
“Master’s treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.” (4:1)