Colossians 3:19

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 3:19

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 3:19

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:18-19

Husbands and wives. Notice the honour given to marriage by Moses ( Genesis 2:23 , Genesis 2:24 ), and still more by Christ ( Matthew 5:31 , Matthew 5:32 ; Matthew 19:3-9 ) and his apostles ( Ephesians 5:22-33 ; 1 Timothy 4:3 ; 1 Timothy 5:14 ; Hebrews 13:4 , etc.). Christianity a gospel of great joy to the world's suffering women. But blessings rest upon law. The nearer marriage is brought to God the more sacred its duties become. In Colossians 3:18 , Colossians 3:19 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:18-19

Husbands and wives. (See on Ephesians 5:22 , Ephesians 5:23 .)—W.F.A. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:18-21

The Christian view of family life. The spirit which was abroad in the early Colossian Church was at once so ascetic and so pietistic that it undervalued home, depreciated family ties, despised human relationships. We have heard Paul boldly meet this spirit with the great doctrine that Christ is the Fulness of all things, Sustainer of all, Mediator of all, King of all, End of all. Here, and in preceding paragraphs, he is meeting detailed developments of that evil spirit by detailed precepts... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:19

Ye husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them ( Ephesians 5:25-31 ; 1 Peter 3:7 ). "Love" is ἀγαπάω , the word which expresses the highest spiritual affection—"even as Christ loved the Church" ( Ephesians 5:25 ). Here, first and most of all, the "new commandment" of John 13:34 applies. St. Paul only uses the verb πικραίνω ("to make bitter") here, but he has the noun πικρία ("bitterness") in a wider application in Ephesians 4:31 . It denotes... read more

Group of Brands