Colossians 3:22

Translations

Modern

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord.

Traditional

Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

Literal

Slaves, obey according to all things the masters according to flesh, not with eye-services as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.

Latin

Servi, obedite per omnia dominis carnalibus, non ad oculum servientes, quasi hominibus placentes, sed in simplicitate cordis, timentes Deum.

Original

Greek

English

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord.

Notes

Colossians 3:22–24

Slaves have masters on earth they must obey. Slavery was central to life and the economy in the ancient world. The New Testament does not directly oppose slavery. Yet, Christian faith creates relationships that change the nature of the social structure (see Philemon 1:15–16).
It is the Lord Christ you are serving: All Christians, whether slave or free, serve a higher Master. His will is most important.

Colossians 3:18–4:1

This series of teachings is called a household code. Paul instructs wives (3:18), husbands (3:19), children (3:20), fathers (3:21), slaves (3:22–25), and masters (4:1). Similar codes are found in Greco-Roman writings and other parts of the New Testament (see Ephesians 5:22–6:9; 1 Peter 2:18–3:7).

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) Slavery The Household

Related verses

Ephesians 6:5–7
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
Galatians 1:10
Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
1 Timothy 6:1–2
All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited.
1 Peter 2:18–19
Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but even to those who are unreasonable.
Titus 2:9–10
Slaves are to submit to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,
1 Thessalonians 2:4
Instead, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, not in order to please men but God, who examines our hearts.
Colossians 3:20
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.
Luke 6:46
Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but do not do what I say?
Ecclesiastes 5:7
For as many dreams bring futility, so do many words. Therefore, fear God.
Matthew 8:9
For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell one to go, and he goes, and another to come, and he comes. I tell my servant to do something, and he does it.”
2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Malachi 1:6
“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me?” says the LORD of Hosts to you priests who despise My name. “But you ask, ‘How have we despised Your name?’

Colossians 3:22

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