Colossians 3:25

For he that doeth wrong shall receive again for the wrong that he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

Some understand this as a warning to slaves not to do wrong; but since the admonition stands as another reason, along with the one in Colossians 3:24, directed to the proper motivation of the slave, it is understood here as a reference to God's judgment of slavemasters if they do wrong. "No respect of persons" favors this view; because it is not likely that the hope of a slave to avoid punishment could be based on any supposed "respect of persons." On the other hand, masters might think that because of their position God might overlook their sins.

Perhaps it is wrong to restrict the meaning of "he that doeth wrong" to either class. Will not God judge and punish all wrongdoers whomsoever? Commentators have long struggled with this question, arriving at different conclusions, thus:

This has reference solely to the master of the slave (Ridderbos).

This refers to the slave (Lenski).

It seems best to suppose that both are included (Lightfoot).[47]

Peake summarized such opinions thus:

To include both is highly questionable, not only because a double reference is on principle to be avoided in exegesis, but because the connection implies that only one side of the relationship is being dealt with. It is commonly thought that the verse is an encouragement to the slave, based on the assurance that the master who treats him will receive his recompense in due course.[48]

The reliance of the Christian, in whatever state of life, upon the eternal justice of God's universe is the great stabilizer of the human heart. Without this reliance, life becomes an idiot's dream where injustice, misery, caprice, chance and luck are supreme. On the other hand, one who learns to trust in the assurance Paul here extended to the slaves of the ancient Roman Empire, perhaps the most unfortunate class ever to live on earth, - one who learns to trust that assurance has already won rest for his soul. No matter what inequalities, no matter what injustice, no matter how much unfairness, partiality and wickedness may torture one's earthly existence, the eternal reward is absolutely sure. God will make all things right. Now people may view this as "pie in the sky" if they wish, but it is surely better than any five-year plan advocated by Marx. Without the divine assurance in view here, there can be no true stability of heart, no genuine serenity of the soul, in fact, no real sanity on earth!

SLANDER AND GOSSIP

Singled out by the apostle in Colossians 3:8 for one of his apostolic prohibitions was the vice of slander, or "shameful speaking" as our translators have rendered the word, the same being a vice which is universally detested. Something of the pioneer attitude toward this sin is apparent in a story told with reference to the famed cowboy evangelist B. B. (Cowboy) Crimm of San Augustine and East Texas. Crimm (1886-1950) preached extensively in East Texas and Oklahoma in the first half of the current century and became famous for the sensational and outlandish things said in the pulpit.

One night, in a meeting attended by more than one thousand people, a woman came forward saying,

"Oh, Brother Crimm, I have come to lay my tongue on the altar." The woman was a noted gossip in that community.

Crimm replied:

"I'm sorry, Ma'am, our altar is only eight feet long, but go ahead and put whatever part of it you are able to get on it!"

GOSSIP TOWN

Have you ever heard of Gossip Town On the shores of Falsehood Bay, Where old Dame Rumor in rustling gown Is going the livelong day?

The principal street is called `They Say.' `I've Heard' is the public well; And the breezes that blow from Falsehood Bay Are laden with `Don't you tell.'

Just back of the park in `Slander's Row'; 'Twas there that Good Name died, Pierced by a shaft from Jealousy's bow In the hands of Envious Pride.

It isn't far to Gossip Town For the people who want to go; The Idleness Train will take you down In just an hour or so.

But the people who go to Gossip Town All reap of the seed they sow; And this you will find as they have found If ever you chance to go.

- Anonymous

[47] William Hendriksen, op. cit., p. 175.

[48] A. S. Peake, op. cit., p. 543.