CHRIST IN THE HOME AND WORKPLACE

Passage: Colossians 3:18-4:1

Key verse: 18-19

NIV

Instructions for Christian Households(A)

18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands,(B) as is fitting in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

21 Fathers,[a] do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance(C) from the Lord as a reward.(D) It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.(E)

4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,(F) because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Footnotes
  1. Colossians 3:21 Or Parents
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Rules for Christian Households

18 (A)Wives, submit to your husbands, as (B)is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and (C)do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents (D)in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 22 Bondservants, obey (E)in everything those who are your earthly masters,[a] not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 (F)Whatever you do, work heartily, (G)as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord (H)you will receive the inheritance as your reward. (I)You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.

4 Masters, treat your bondservants[b] justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Footnotes
  1. Colossians 3:22 Or your masters according to the flesh
  2. Colossians 4:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; likewise for servant in verse 12
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. The fullness of Christ in our families (18-21)

The fullness of Christ does not stop at our front door. His wonderful grace and love are to shape all our relationships, especially those among family members. Wives are to submit to their husbands,honoring the Lord Jesus who submitted himself to the Father. In turn, husbands are to love their wives with an agape love, laying down their lives for them just as the Lord laid down his. Children are to obey their parents in everything, setting the pattern that all of us are to follow as children of God. Parents are to remember that children are a precious gift from God and embrace them with the love and tenderness of Jesus.

2. The fullness of Christ in our occupations (22-4:1)

Paul spoke of the relationship between slaves and masters, but it applies to employees and employers as well. God grants a wonderful dignity to even the lowest position, for all our labor is for the Lord and he will see it and reward it. Those with people under their charge must remember that the Lord is master of all and treat their workers fairly.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, may your grace fill our lives.

One Word: Honor Christ in your relationships