The duties of children. "Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing to the Lord." I. THE DUTY OF CHILDREN m OBEDIENCE . This includes: 1 . Reverence. (Le 19:3; Ephesians 6:1 , Ephesians 6:2 .) 2 . Readiness to receive instruction from parents. ( Proverbs 1:8 .) 3 . Submission to their rebukes. ( Proverbs 13:1 .) 4 . Gratitude. ( 1 Timothy 5:4 .) 5 . Submission to their just commands. They are to obey "in all... read more
Children and parents. The family and the Church, the natural and spiritual home, are the two most sacred associations on earth, having as their Head. "the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named" ( Ephesians 3:15 ). The strength of the nation and the welfare of the world are inseparably bound up with families. Madame de Stael, asked by Bonaparte what was the greatest want of France, replied, "Mothers." The gospel brings to families the blessing of Abraham ( ... read more
Children and parents. (See on Ephesians 6:1-4 .)—W.F.A. Verse 22-Colossians 4:1 Servants and masters. (See on Ephesians 6:5-9 .)—W.F.A. Colossians 3:24 (last clause) The service of Christ. St. Paul is giving directions to bondservants. But if they serve the Lord Christ, so also must all other Christians ( Colossians 4:1 ). The principles of conduct recommended to the slaves may be taken home to ourselves by all of us. I. CHRISTIANITY IS THE SERVICE ... read more
Ye fathers, do not irritate your children, lest they be disheartened ( Ephesians 6:4 ). ερεθίζω ("irritate" or "provoke") St. Paul uses once besides ( 2 Corinthians 9:2 ), in a good sense. It implies a use of parental authority which, by continual exactions and complaints, teaches the child to look on the father as his enemy rather than his friend. The synonymous παροργίζω of Ephesians 6:4 , found here in many copies, is, more definitely "to rouse to anger." αθυμέω (only... read more
The duties of fathers. "Fathers, provoke not your children, lest they be discouraged." I. THE DUTY OR PARENTS . It is here exhibited on its negative side. They are not to abuse their authority over their children by too great severity either in words or deeds. Some parents spoil their children by indulgence; others, by unwise severities. Bitter words are used, unreasonable commands are given, immoderate correction is administered. Parents are to behave lovingly to their... read more
Ye servants (literally, bondmen ) , be obedient in all things to your lords according to the flesh ( Ephesians 6:5-9 ; 1 Timothy 6:1 , 1 Timothy 6:2 ; Titus 2:9 , Titus 2:10 ; 1 Corinthians 7:21-24 ; Romans 13:1 , Romans 13:5 ; 1 Peter 2:18-25 ). The duties of servants and masters are prominent here ( Colossians 3:22 - Colossians 4:1 ), in view of the emphasis thrown upon the lordship of Christ; and partly, no doubt, with reference to the case of the runaway... read more
The duties of servants. The apostle enters into fuller detail in his injunctions to servants, because his intercourse with Onesimus, a Colossian slave now returning to his master Philemon in a new character, had turned his thoughts to the condition and difficulties of the whole class of dependants. His injunctions to them imply that they had a right to be instructed out of the Word, and that if men have less consideration for their interests, the Lord redoubles his concern for them. There... read more
Religious regulations for master and servant. The length of the paragraph on this topic is probably partly the result of Paul's having then and there so much to do with Onesimus, the runaway slave whom he was sending back to his master. "Bought and adopted and in Christ a brother; claimed and completed, and in Christ a man." But besides this personal reason, Paul must have felt that there was, in the state of the Colossian society of the time, an urgent need for this lengthy and detailed... read more
Whatever ye be doing, work (therein) from (the) soul, as to the Lord, and not to men ( Colossians 3:17 ; Ephesians 6:6 , Ephesians 6:7 ; 1 Corinthians 7:21-23 ). (On the first clause, see Colossians 3:17 .) In the Revised Text, however, the turn of expression differs from that of Colossians 3:17 , πᾶν being cancelled. The writer is thinking, not so much of the variety of service possible, as of the spirit which should pervade it. "Do" is replaced in the second clause by... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:20
To children, be obedient to your parents in all things; for this is well pleasing in the Lord ( Ephesians 6:1 , Ephesians 6:2 ; Exodus 20:12 ; Deuteronomy 5:16 ; Le Deuteronomy 19:3 ; Proverbs 23:1-35 . 22; Luke 2:51 , Luke 2:52 ). In Ephesians 6:1 , Ephesians 6:2 "in all things" ( κατὰ πάντα , "in regard to all things") is wanting; and not the extent, but the intrinsic rightness of the command as it is found in the Decalogue is insisted on. But here, where "Christ is... read more