Paul is
directing his words in this section of his letter to Christian servants. He reminds the believer that his service is
to be done “as unto the Lord.”
Colossians 3:22 Servants, obey in all things your
masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in
singleness of heart, fearing God:
The Greek for
servants is a reference to someone
who is a slave, whether willingly or unwillingly. In the whole of biblical times, slavery was a
part of society. I can find nowhere in
scripture that prohibits the practice.
There are verses in Deuteronomy and Jeremiah, however, that indicate
that the Lord would that all men be free.
Deuteronomy 23:15–16 “Thou shalt not
deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee:
He shall dwell with thee, even among you, in that place which he shall choose
in one of thy gates, where it liketh him best: thou shalt not oppress him.”
Jeremiah
34:13-16 Thus saith
the LORD, the God of Israel; I made a covenant with your fathers in the day
that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of
bondmen, saying, At the end of seven years let ye go every man his brother an
Hebrew, which hath been sold unto thee; and when he hath served thee six years,
thou shalt let him go free from thee: but your fathers hearkened not unto me,
neither inclined their ear. And ye were now turned, and had done right in my
sight, in proclaiming liberty every man to his neighbour; and ye had made a
covenant before me in the house which is called by my name: But ye turned and
polluted my name, and caused every man his servant, and every man his handmaid,
whom ye had set at liberty at their pleasure, to return, and brought them into
subjection, to be unto you for servants and for handmaids.
There are,
however, many guidelines as to proper treatment of slaves. Paul gives a clear statement regarding the
treatment of slaves in his letter to the Ephesians.
Ephesians 6:5-9 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to
the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto
Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as
the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will
doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good
thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond
or free. And, ye masters, do the
same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there
respect of persons with him.
Having said
all that, Paul is instructing Christians who are slaves. He is clear that they are to be obedient to
their masters in every way—whether they are being watched or not. They are to serve their masters with the heart
that they are serving God in the process.
Verse 8 from Ephesians (above) gives the best motivation. You can’t outgive the Lord. The Lord will reward you for your good
service (the implication being even if your master doesn’t).
Colossians 3:23-24 And whatsoever ye do, do it
heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall
receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Verse 23
begins with a repeat of the instruction in verse 17. I think the key truth that keeps jumping out
in this chapter is that we are to live “as to the Lord.” I am sure that a slave would especially need
these words of encouragement—especially if serving a hard master. He/she would need to be focused on the fact
that the Lord looks at his/her service to their master as though they are
serving Him. Again, their work will not
go unrewarded; they have a heavenly inheritance awaiting them.
Our culture
is so full of pleasing self and earning the accolades of people. As Christians, the only One we should worry
about pleasing is the Lord. Why? Because we are joint-heirs with Christ, and
our eternal inheritance will far surpass any earthly treasure or accolades we
may accumulate. We serve the “Lord
Christ,” the Messiah, the Savior, THE Supreme Authority.
Colossians 3:25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath
done: and there is no respect of persons.
In context,
this statement seems connected to the instruction to “servants.” God will not let those who claim His name go
unpunished for wrongdoing. There is no
valid excuse before the Lord for doing wrong.
Scripture is clear that you will reap what you sow.
Job 4:8 Even as I have seen, they that plow
iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked:
for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
The Lord is a
righteous judge; He is no respecter of persons.
2Chronicles 19:7
Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there
is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of
gifts.
Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and
said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
Romans 2:11 For there is no respect of persons
with God.
1Peter 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who
without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time
of your sojourning here in fear:
(to be continued...)
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