May 26, 2019
Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:22-4:1
Having spoken about marriage and child rearing, and the
reciprocal relationships within the family, the text now turns
to another very important relationship. In the first century
part of some households included slaves. So this
paragraph addresses slaves and masters. Today we would
apply these commands to employees and employers.
This text answers the question of how employees are to
work and how they are to think about their employers, on the
one hand. On the other hand, it speaks to the question of how
employers are to treat their employees.
Workers are to be obedient to their
employers respecting their position (Col 3:22). They are
to perform their duties with honesty and
diligence whether the employer is looking or not (Col
3:22). This is all to be done recognizing that,
ultimately, work is a service to the Lord in that everything
is done “fearing the Lord" (Col 3:22) and "for the Lord"
(Col 3:23). This way the most menial, repetitious work
can be filled with meaning and eternal significance.
Workers must remember that, as servants of God, they work for
Christ (Col 3:24).
The other person in this work relationship is the employer,
who is called on here to treat their employees "justly and
fairly," knowing that they themselves have a heavenly
Master to Whom they will
give an account (Col 4:1).
This passage is a radical departure from the injustices and
inequities which arise in all forms of the worker-overseer
arrangement. It lifts such relationships to a level of honor
and dignity and respect for others, who are created in the
image of God.