Colossians 3:18-19

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Colossians 3:18-25

The apostle concludes the chapter with exhortations to relative duties, as before in the epistle to the Ephesians. The epistles which are most taken up in displaying the glory of divine grace, and magnifying the Lord Jesus, are the most particular and distinct in pressing the duties of the several relations. We must never separate the privileges and duties of the gospel religion. I. He begins with the duties of wives and husbands (Col. 3:18): Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Colossians 3:18-25

3:18-25 Wives, be submissive to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not treat them harshly. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord. Fathers, do not irritate your children, that they may not lose heart. Slaves, obey in all things those who are your human masters, not only when you are watched, like those whose only desire is to please men, but in sincerity of heart, reverencing the Lord. Whatever... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Colossians 3:18-25

Let us look briefly at each of these three spheres of human relationships. (i) The wife is to be submissive to her husband; but the husband is to love his wife and to treat her with all kindness. The practical effect of the marriage laws and customs of ancient times was that the husband became an unquestioned dictator and the wife little more than a servant to bring up his children and to minister to his needs. The fundamental effect of this Christian teaching is that marriage becomes a... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Colossians 3:18-25

(iii) Paul then turns to the greatest problem of all--the relationship between slave and master. It will be noted that this section is far longer than the other two; and its length may well be due to long talks which Paul had with the runaway slave, Onesimus, whom later he was to send back to his master Philemon. Paul says things which must have amazed both sides. He insists that the slave must be a conscientious workman. He is in effect saying that his Christianity must make him a better... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Colossians 3:18

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands ,.... The apostle proceeds from those duties which related to them as church members one towards another, for their mutual good and edification, and the glory of God, to such as concerned them in their own houses and families, as in a natural relation to each other; as husbands and wives, parents and children, masters and servants; showing hereby, that the Gospel does not at all break in upon, but establishes the duties of common and civil... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Colossians 3:19

Husbands, love your wives ,.... See Gill on Ephesians 5:25 . and be not bitter against them ; turning love into hatred of their persons; ruling with rigour, and in a tyrannical manner; behaving towards them in a morose, churlish, and ill natured way; giving them either bitter words, or blows, and denying them their affection, care, provision, protection, and assistance, but using them as servants, or worse. All which is barbarous, brutish, and unchristian, and utterly unbecoming the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 3:18

Wives, submit yourselves - Having done with general directions, the apostle comes to particular duties, which are commonly called relative; because they only belong to persons in certain situations; and are not incumbent on all. No woman has the duty of a wife to perform but she who is one, and no man has the duty of a husband to perform but he who is married. The directions here to wives, husbands, children, parents, servants, and masters, are so exactly the same in substance with those... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 3:19

Be not bitter against them - Wherever bitterness is, there love is wanting. And where love is wanting in the married life, there is hell upon earth. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 3:18

Verse 18 18Wives, be subject. Now follow particular duties, as they are called, (456) which depend on the calling of individuals. In handling these it were superfluous to take up many words, inasmuch as I have already stated in the Epistle to the Ephesians (457) almost everything that was necessary. Here I shall only add briefly such things as are more particularly suited to an exposition of the passage before us. He commands wives to be subject. This is clear, but what follows is of doubtful... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:18

Colossians 4:1 .— SECTION VIII . THE CHRISTIAN VIEW OF FAMILY DUTIES . We note that in each of the three family relations here dealt with, the subordinate party is first addressed, and the duty of submission is primarily insisted upon. So in Ephesians 5:21-24 ; Ephesians 6:1-3 , Ephesians 6:5-8 . There may have been some special reason for this in the state of the Asiatic Churches or of Greek society in that region. But other indications show ( 1 Corinthians 7:24 ; 1... read more

Group of Brands