Husbands love your wives, and be not bitter against them.This must be understood in the light of Ephesians 5:28-33. Paul did not need to spell everything out in each of the epistles, because he specifically instructed that his writings should be passed around and made available to others, beyond those addressed in the salutation (Colossians 4:16). read more
Children obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord."Well-pleasing in the Lord ... fitting in the Lord (Colossians 3:18) ... fearing the Lord (Colossians 3:22) ... as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23) ... ye serve the Lord Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:24) ..." Notice that all of the persons addressed regarding their personal and domestic duties were continually reminded of being "in the Lord," and therefore as having "put on" the graces and virtues commanded earlier in... read more
Fathers, provoke not your children that they be not discouraged.This should be read against the stern and tyrannical background of the father's absolute control over his children, as in the Roman Empire when these words were written. As Barclay said:A parent could do anything he liked with his child. He could sell him into slavery ... he even had the right to condemn his child to death and carry out the execution himself.[44]In current times, the pendulum has swung the other way; and it is the... read more
Servants, obey in all things them that are your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord.Some commentators have supposed that, as Onesimus, a runaway slave, was bearer of this letter, Paul made the slavemaster relationship the more elaborate part of these reciprocal institutions in this epistle.There are a number of exceedingly important deductions to be made from Paul's handling of the slave problem in the New... read more
Whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men.God has his own way of rewarding honorable and faithful work, regardless of the failure of human authorities to do so; and the difference is brought out in the very next verse. read more
Colossians 3:20. Children, obey—in all things:— That is, "which are lawful, or to which the parental authority extends." This must be understood with some such limitation; and there can be no hurt in supplying the sense from Col 3:18 with εν κυριω, in the Lord; and so it is expressed, Ephesians 6:1. That is, "as the Lord requires you, and as far as is consistent with your duty to him." read more
Colossians 3:23. Do it heartily,— 'Εκ ψυχης, from the spirit, or "from a spiritual principle, and not from worldly motives." Heylin. Inferences. How much the metaphorical language of scripture has been mistaken, and what errors and absurdities men have fallen into, under pretence of adhering to the literal sense, is well known. The words of the first verse of this chapter are, however, hardly capable of being so abused, being a plain inference from what had before been advanced, as is evident... read more
19. ( :-.) be not bitter—ill-tempered and provoking. Many who are polite abroad, are rude and bitter at home because they are not afraid to be so there. read more
20. ( :-.) unto the Lord—The oldest manuscripts read, "IN the Lord," that is, this is acceptable to God when it is done in the Lord, namely, from the principle of faith,and as disciples in union with the Lord. read more
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E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Colossians 3:23
heartily . Greek. ek psuches. See App-110 . Colossians 3:4 . Lord. App-98 . not App-105 . read more