A Scriptural-Spiritual Lens for Resolve in 2022 - Part Sixteen

Colossians 3:18–4:1 ESV

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

PRAY

Introductory thoughts

We have dealt with wives, husbands, children and parents. Now, we move to slaves and masters. Here is the main idea: The Apostle Paul is certain the newness of the new man Christ would positively impact the lives of these slaves and masters in the church at Colosse. Before we look at the passage in detail, I want to address three questions of importance.

Why did the Apostle Paul not simply give a blanket condemnation of slavery? Why did he not command masters to free their slaves? I am not sure there is a full or simple answer to these questions. However, it is safe to say that the Apostle was not attempting to overthrow societal and cultural structures of the day. His purpose was not ultimately to rearrange and restructure society as a whole but see the gospel infiltrate it.

1 Corinthians 7:20–24 ESV

20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. 21 Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

Should we conclude that because the Scriptures do not explicitly condemn slavery that they are condoning it? I do not believe that we can. Here are some thoughts as it relates to this question.

Some argue and have argued because slavery is aligned with marriage and parenting in the household code it is legitimate and advisable. However, I believe it is important to note that while you can trace the other household institutions back to the creation, you cannot do so with slavery. It seems to me that God’s instruction concerning slavery are an accomodation due to the sinfulness of man, like divorce. One writers gives the following comments on why the Apostle did not give a command for emancipation.

The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon Household Rules (3:18–4:1)

It is also a reminder that “the rules of the game” were (as always) dictated by the powerful. Christians who wanted as much freedom as possible within these structures to pursue a Christian calling as members of the church were wise to carry out their responsibilities as slaves with all diligence. This should not be criticized today as merely social conformism; those who live in modern social democracies, in which interest groups can hope to exert political pressure by intensive lobbying, should remember that in the cities of Paul’s day the great bulk of Christians would have had no possibility whatsoever of exerting any political pressure for any particular policy or reform. In such circumstances a pragmatic quietism was the most effective means of gaining room enough to develop the quality of personal relationships which would establish and build up the microcosms (churches) of transformed communities.

What is most obvious application of this passage to us in our current context? In what way can the principles in this passage be applied? The closest reality we have in our context is that of an employee and employer.

We resolve to render whole service to those over us.

Bondservants - A servant (doulos) is someone who is a slave and obeys the commands of his or her master. For example, in Matt 8:9 the centurion claims that he says to his servant (doulos), “Do this,” and he does it. Paul often refers to himself as the servant (doulos) of Jesus Christ (Rom 1:11; Gal 1:10).

There have been attempts to shape slavery under Roman rule as different than other forms of slavery in different places and times, such as slavery in the American colonies. There are some differences, but overall the position of slave was not ever really easy. Here are some secular scholarly comments regarding Roman slavery

Dr. Valerie Hope writes: “The main legal distinctions were between those who were free, and those who were slaves. All inhabitants of the empire were either free or in servitude. Slaves were either born into slavery, or were forced, often through defeat in war, into it. Slaves were the possessions of their masters and the latter had the power of life and death over them. Slavery was not, however, always a life-long state. Slaves could be - and regularly were - given their freedom.

Keith Bradley of the University of Notre Dame told the BBC: “In Rome and Italy, in the four centuries between 200 B.C. and 200 AD, perhaps a quarter or even a third of the population was made up of slaves. Over time millions of men, women, and children lived their lives in a state of legal and social non-existence with no rights of any kind. They were non-persons” — many did not even have names — “and they couldn't own anything, marry, or have legitimate families.

Slaves were the lowest class of society and even freed criminals had more rights. Slaves had no rights at all in fact and certainly no legal status or individuality. They could not create relations or families, nor could they own property. To all intents and purposes they were merely the property of a particular owner, just like any other piece of property - a building, a chair or a vase - the only difference was that they could speak.

Obey in everything those who are are your earthly masters - Slaves are told with the same word as the to children to obey. They are to do what earthly masters command. The only exception would be a sinful request.

Paul highlights earthly master which are distinct from the master mentioned in verse one of chapter 4.

Now, by way of comment, this is likely not what a slave in the church would want to hear. One might think the slave would want to hear about freedom as opposed to submission. The why of the Apostle’s command is clarified in the following.

We resolve to honor God in our service to those in authority

Paul has a larger goal in mind regarding these slaves. He is seeking for them to honor God.

Not by way of eye-service - The obedience the Apostle is demanding from the servants is not to be due to drawing attention to one’s self. As people-pleasers - Paul adds a description of the motive of eye-service obedience. The primary goal is to be recognized by other people, likely the masters.

In other words, the Apostle Paul is not instructing them to obey only when the master or others are looking, but to do so all the time. Often slaves would jostle for position in the household by obeying the master a certain way only in their presence. We know there were more desirable jobs or task within the slavery system. If you recall when Jesus washed the disciples’ feet this was such a humble acts because he willingly took the least desirable job and served those that should have been serving him.

But with sincerity of heart - But, in contrast; rather this is a better way to function subjection to another. Paul calls them to labor with hearts that are singular in purpose and without an ulterior or double-motive. Why? As a slave, it would be easy to think you have the worst life. There’s no point in life. There is no purpose. I am owned by another person. However, God is revealing that in Christ their lives matter and there is purpose and meaning.

Fearing the Lord - this is a reference to reverencing the King of kings. Paul is telling these slaves they should have a view to God as they are obeying earthly masters. They are to have an eye to the Lord and his purposes.

Whatever you do - A reminder again about the totality of the expectation.

Work heartily - Every task whether mundane and massive should be carried out soulfully. They are told to put yourselves into the task, do the job enthusiastically, carried it out from the heart. How can this be?

As for the Lord and not for men - Paul is saying all of their lives and all of their labor is to be done in service to the Lord primarily and ultimately. He means this so emphatically to say that it is not to be done for men. In other words, the supreme authority in the lives of these redeemed slaves is the Lord Jesus Christ. Certainly, the earthly master would benefit, but it was to be done for God.

1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV

31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

When one becomes are believers God sanctifies everything we do excepting sin and evil. This changes all of life.

We resolve to understand the consequences of our actions

Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward - There is something spiritual about about obeying earthly masters. Therefore, God takes note of in order to give recompence and prize, an inheritance. Under Roman law a slave could not inherit anything. Though humans had taken their right of inheritance, God promised them reward for their continually obedience. They are recipients of the eternal reward.

1 Peter 1:3–5 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

He will reward them because their understand the next phrase. You are serving the Lord Christ - The whole of life had be absorbed into service of King Jesus or stated differently they were slaving for Jesus.

Notice the power of the Christ Jesus to undermine the abuses of slavery. What can you do to man if they have the Lord Christ? The answer is nothing. They have everything in Christ. Paul takes the very lowest in this society and gives them hope. He gives their mundane, daily duties value by showing them God is paying attention.

For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done- The reality is that is a slave sought to run away, stole from their master’s household, refused to work they would disciplined. However, I think there could be something more than physical discipline. If you recall the inheritance God promises previously has a eternal view, therefore, I think we should think of this eternally as well. In short, the slave disobeying his earthly master is also disobeying his heavenly one. A perpetual, consistent disobedience would prove lostness and thus judgment. In addition, I also think that God is active in bringing about discipline in this life. Lastly, there is a judgment of believers related to works in this life.

And there is no partiality - In God’s judgment and discipline there is no partiality. He is no respecter of persons and all will be judged according to the actuality of their deeds.

We resolve to care for those under our authority

Masters - This is most likely an owner, one who is in authority over slaves. This same word is often translated “Lord”.

Treat your bondservants justly and fairly - Give deliberate care. Think about what this doing in the mindset of these masters in the church at Colosse. The master in the Roman Empire possessed absolute right to do as they pleased, but here comes the Gospel and the new man. Give them what is right and just, not what is customarily expected or even what is legal. Interact with them is non-partial, fair-minded, even handed ways.

Malachi 3:5 ESV

5 “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.

Matthew 7:12 ESV

12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Paul is undermining the Roman law and customs and introducing a heavenly minded reality for those masters who are Christians and belong to Christ.

We resolve to consider our Master as we direct others

Knowing that you also have a Master in heaven - To the redeemed masters in Colosse they are reminded to think about the reality of their own slavery. They were once slaves to sin, but now they had been brought in subjection to the King of kings and Lord of lords. They are to recall his treatment of them by him as they are interacting with those to whom they are master. The heavenly master treats them as son, heirs to the kingdom, children. To the Lord Jesus they are brothers, they are invited to the table of fellowship, they are redeemed. God is always fair, equitable and just in his dealings with all.

Can you imagine the comparison of Christian master versus the unbelieving one?

Practical Application

Humbly recognize some of the challenges in this text and commit to give it some personal study.

Celebrate how the gospel infiltrates and changes the hard realities of life for those who are redeemed. If the gospel could change the outlook and actions of the slaves and masters of the Romans Empire, it can bring changes any where and any time.

Let’s seek to apply these principles to the work place.

We should do all our superiors tell us excepting sinful activities. This includes activities that are not in our job description, unreasonable, does not make business sense to you.

We should do all that we do for God’s glory. We are freed up in life to accomplish anything for Lord. We must realize the way we work in the world should point others to Christ. When others are cheating on time clocks, avoiding real work, sand-bagging and a host of other things, Christians are laboring for their heavenly master who sees them do all they do.

We should shun man-pleasing. Our labor needs to be real and consistent. We do not ultimately work for approval, promotions, a easier position, or more money, though those things may come.

We need to ask God to give us a heart for what were are called to do and what we must do.

We should reject the thought that some forms of labor are essentially unimportant in comparison to others.

If you are in a role of authority you should tangibly and spiritual care for your employees. you cannot only be about the bottom line, getting tasks done and running a business. You have a responsibility before God to be more. This is challenging and can be difficult. Treat them with respect, equality and love. Would you workers have a hard time believing you were a Christian by the way you treat them?

Those in authority, learn from Jesus.

Philippians 2:4–8 ESV

4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.