Colossians 4

“Spiritual Foundations in the Home”

Review:

“Jesus and”

“Jesus alone”

“Strengthened in Faith”

“Raised with Christ”

Setting heart and mind

Actions: “put off/put on”

English Standard Version (Colossians 3:18-4:6)

Rules for Christian Households

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 Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Further Instructions

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Opening Observations:

Paul takes his teaching right into the home.

He talks about proper relationships between spouses and children.

He then extends his teaching outside of the home into the workplace.

Finally, Paul encourages the believers to “live on mission” by “walking in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.”

Why would Paul address home life in view of the false teaching attempting to enter the church?

Spiritual foundation begins in the home:

The false teaching emphasized harsh treatment to the body, mystical knowledge, and legalistic observances.

Home is where the practical application of Scripture comes to life.

What happens in the home influences every aspect of life.

The emphasis of adding works to faith not only applies to our individual lives, but equally impacts our relationships.

How did the teaching threaten the Christian home?

Wives and Husbands: False teachings could distort the biblical understanding of marriage. Paul emphasizes in Colossians 3:18-19 that wives should submit to their husbands "as is fitting in the Lord" and husbands should love their wives and not be harsh with them. Asceticism and elitist thinking could lead to neglect or harshness, undermining the mutual respect and love essential in marriage.

Children and Parents: Paul instructs children to obey their parents in everything (Colossians 3:20) and fathers not to embitter their children (Colossians 3:21). Legalistic and ascetic pressures could create an environment where children are exasperated by unreasonable demands or harsh discipline, disrupting healthy family dynamics.

Spiritual Elitism: The emphasis on mystical knowledge and spiritual hierarchy could create division within the family. If some members of the household began to see themselves as spiritually superior, it could lead to pride and a breakdown in unity and mutual respect.

Paul’s encouragement for families:

Mutual Submission and Love: Paul calls for a balance of submission and love, ensuring that relationships are marked by mutual respect and care (Colossians 3:18-19).

Obedience and Encouragement: He emphasizes the importance of children obeying their parents and parents nurturing their children without exasperation (Colossians 3:20-21). This fosters a positive and supportive family environment.

Christ-Centered Focus: By urging believers to set their minds on things above and live out their new identity in Christ (Colossians 3:1-4), Paul encourages a focus on spiritual growth and maturity that strengthens family bonds rather than dividing them.

In like manner, Paul extends the threat of the false teaching into work relations.

Paul's instructions in Colossians 3:22-4:1 emphasize obedience, integrity, fairness, and a Christ-centered focus to maintain healthy and God-honoring work relations.

By adhering to these principles, believers can protect their work environments from the divisive and disruptive influence of false teachings, ensuring that their work glorifies God and fosters mutual respect and justice.

Living on mission requires us to make the best use of time:

Walk in wisdom

Gracious speech

Know how to answer