Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love yourwives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey yourparents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged (Col 3:18-21)
Paul talks about the christian family life, and about the family order; the husband and wife live in a covenant; they are one body now. The husband is the head and wife the body, just like Christ is the head of the church and the church the body.
The husband ought to treat the wife with love and respect, just like he treats his own body with love and not be bitter. And the wife should submit herself to her own husband and not to someone else’s husband.Paul tells the children to obey their parents. Nowadays we see a lot of rebellion not only between husband and wife, but also between the children and their parents. The parents must set an example and walk in the commandments of the Lord. Children look up to their parents and if they see that their parents don’t walk according to what they say, they will not take them seriously.
Parents, set an example for your children and motivate them, love them, take time for them and teach them in the commandments of the Lord. Rebuke them in love, not in anger. Don’t let your emotions rule over your spirit. When the parents walk in spiritual wisdom, the children will obey, love and respect their parents.
Servants, obey in all things yourmasters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do itheartily, 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. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons (Col 3:22-25)
To the servants, Paul instructs that they should do their work in excellence all the time, not only when the boss is around, but all the time, because the Lord is watching you all the time. This should be normal, to do the work in excellence. Perform like you do it unto the Lord, because you serve the Lord Christ and He will reward you.
Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven (Col 4:1)
To all the masters he gives instruction to treat their servants with respect. Don’t look down to them, treat them equally, because they need be aware that they also do have a Master in heaven.
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak (Col 4:2-4)
Prayer and thanksgiving should be our way of life. Don’t forget to pray for each other, and pray that the mystery of Christ will continue to be spread around the world. Pray for apostles, evangelists etc.
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man (Col 4:5-6)
We should speak and walk in the wisdom of God, not the wisdom of the world. We should speak and live the word and not compromise the truth, because when we do compromise, our words and deeds become without power and effectiveness; just like salt lost its flavor.
We should speak the words of God and speak them with grace. Not condemning people but speak to them in love; love others as you love yourself.
All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. Written from Rome to Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus (Col 4:7-18)
