Everybody
Pondering Colossians Chapter Three
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly. Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites. Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master—in heaven.—Colossians 3:18-4:1
Paul makes lists! We have spent time with a couple of lists here in Colossians. This one, though, ruffles our modern feathers a little. Can anyone imagine a TED talk promoting these principles? Is Paul just examining some of the contemporary issues of his day? Is he giving us guidelines for our lives today? Is he at all uncomfortable speaking into his culture? I will have to leave the answers to those questions to each reader.
Don’t let these particulars distract you from Paul’s main thesis: Christ is in all and is all. Christ is calling us to a heavenward life. He wants everyone’s confidence and faith to be centered in Christ. And he wants there to be peace and harmony in God’s church. That also reaches into our everyday lives. Notice the caveats in these statements.
What principles bring about family unity, peace, and also magnify Christ as Lord?
Wives, submit to your husbands.
Husbands, love your wives and “…do not be harsh with them” (RSV).
Children, always obey your parents.
Fathers, do not aggravate your children.
While these teachings might not be found on the Family Help shelf at the bookstore, they seem reciprocal. They appear to promote kindness and a spirit of unity. They are components of a home strengthened by peace.
Then Paul addresses slaves and masters. Does that make you as uncomfortable as it makes me? Why didn’t Paul say, “Christians should never own slaves”? I have read explanations, but none of them made me feel good about this instruction. However, it is a Holy Spirit-inspired teaching, and if we can look beyond the concept of slavery, notice what Paul says about how to treat one another.
Slaves are to obey and try to please their earthly masters. The basis for this command is the slaves’ commitment and faith in the Lord. In this instruction, there is a reward, an inheritance—perhaps a recognition of the injustice of the situation. And there is a warning for those who would reject Paul’s teaching.
Masters are also commanded to be fair because they have a Master in heaven (4:1).
These instructions remind me of the “Golden Rule.” If we approach every person in our lives in this way, we work toward peace and thankfulness.
And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them.—Luke 6:31 (RSV)
I have also heard these slave/master texts applied to employer/employee relationships. I think there can be some crossover there. But it is still an uncomfortable section for me.
Ultimately, the key is that living a life of peace that uplifts Christ is a responsibility that belongs to everyone. Living this heavenward life impacts everyone around us. In every relationship, even inequitable ones, Christ is all and in all. In that sense, everyone bows to the same King.
Might we say a Godly definition of relationship is sacrificial? That is, I should love people the way God loves people. That sounds simple on the surface. But...