The Prison Epistles
Sermon Forty-nine
Colossians 3:18-4:18
Final Exhortations
(part 5)
Jim Bordwine, Th.D.
Introduction
One of the unique things about the Bible is that it speaks to everyone, no matter what you position in life. And the Bible speaks specifically, not just in general terms. We sometimes forget that the Bible was written in the context of history, the context of kingdoms rising and falling, the context of peoples’ lives going on each day, the context of all the struggles that all human beings face as they walk upon this earth.
We have been studying a passage in which the relevance of the Bible is so clearly demonstrated. We have been studying a passage in which the apostle Paul speaks about the most fundamental kinds of relationships. This passage touches upon aspects of life that are common to all people. I’m referring, of course, to Col. 3:18-4:1 where we find a number of final exhortations from Paul to the saints in Colossae. Among those closing exhortations, as I just indicated, are several concerning relationships. Paul told wives to be subject to their husbands because such an attitude of the wife toward her husband is proper before the Lord. I explained that being subject to a husband, in the most basic sense, means that the wife recognizes the specific responsibilities God has given to her husband and then assists him as he carries out those responsibilities. Paul told husbands to love their wives and he warned husbands not to be harsh toward their wives, which is a tendency in some husbands especially when they want to blame their wives as if the wife and not the husband has been appointed by God as head of that relationship.
Paul next commanded children to be obedient to parents at all times and in all ways because this kind of response from child to parent is pleasing to the Lord. And the apostle exhorted fathers to guard themselves against being overly critical of their children; instead, I suggested, the apostle would have fathers nurture their children by offering instruction and correction. Thus far, therefore, Paul has spoken regarding family relationships and in so doing, he covered a good portion of what the believers in the church at Colossae would have been experiencing. Most, no doubt, were in family relationships and those relationships would have been primary.
But now Paul goes beyond the family and addresses the two chief segments of Roman society, slaves and masters. We might assume that this is where Paul’s words cease to have relevance for us, since we are neither slaves nor masters. But that conclusion would be premature. Every part of Scripture has something to teach us and that’s true with what Paul had to say to slaves and masters who were part of the congregation in Colossae:
22 Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. 25 For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. 4:1 Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.
05. Paul’s exhortation to slaves (3:22-24)
Before we look at the specifics of Paul’s commands to slaves and masters, I want to give you an overview of the institution of slavery in the Roman Empire at this point in history. Normally, a person became a slave in one of two ways: either he was taken captive in war or he sold himself into slavery because of an inability to meet financial obligations. Slaves were often well-educated and served as care-givers for the children of a household. Slaves also were allowed to marry, accumulate personal property, and even run businesses. They were still, however, absolutely subject to their masters. In terms of population, at the time Paul wrote these words, approximately two thirds of the Empire were slaves. We should not be surprised, therefore, to find Paul including slaves and masters in his final exhortations. A good portion of this particular church would have been in one of those positions or the other.
More than a few have been critical of Paul and even Christianity in general as if the New Testament somehow condones slavery. That’s simply not the case. In a passage like the one before us, Paul does not incite rebellion, which would have resulted in much bloodshed, incredible turmoil within local congregations, and, no doubt, a fierce response against the Church. Instead, the apostle’s approach was to let the gospel do what it so uniquely and effectively does, which is bring about change from within the hearts of men. Within a short period of time, Roman society developed a different view of slavery and this was largely due to the influence of Christian teaching. Christians, more than any other segment of Roman society, spoke and wrote about the God-given dignity of all human beings, especially those that were disadvantaged or mistreated. This included women and slaves. Thanks chiefly to the Church, attitudes and practices in the Empire changed.
When we read Paul’s words to slaves and masters, we are seeing how the gospel has relevance even in such relationships. The gospel sets before us a standard of conduct no matter what our position in life. Said differently, the gospel does not allow a disregard for moral uprightness no matter what kind of circumstance we are enduring. And so, with so many people who were enslaved to one degree or another, and with so many others in the position of overseeing those who were enslaved, Paul gave specific instructions regarding the relationship between slaves and masters.
My approach to these verses will be two-fold. I will cover what Paul says to slaves and masters, and then I will identify some principles that are applicable to us even though we are neither slaves nor masters. Looking at verses 22-25 again, I want you to notice first that Paul says more to slaves than any other group in this passage. The reason for this is clear, I think. Slaves faced a harsher existence than wives, children, fathers, or masters. The lack of freedom or a severely restricted freedom is very difficult to endure because, as we came from the hand of God, we were made to be free creatures living in accountability to God. Sin, of course, has altered this original climate tremendously. Slaves, therefore, those who were legally owned by another and who were strictly bound by the will of their masters, had a particularly difficult lot in life, which meant, as Paul certainly understood, that living according to the gospel would be a significant challenge. So, he speaks in more detail to slaves than the others addressed in this section.
Paul begins with the essence of a slave’s duty, which is obedience to a master: “Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth…” According to the nature of their station, slaves had the duty to obey their masters. Paul is not, at this point, concerned with the fact that some masters might be mean or might abuse their slaves; he is not concerned at the moment with various factors that might influence the context in which a slave had to live. As he has done in regard to other positions in life, Paul first speaks of what is the primary calling of a slave and that is obedience to another. He will soon direct attention to masters, but for now, it is the slave who must hear Paul’s words.
Let me point out that just because a person was a slave did not mean that the requirements of the gospel no longer applied. The slave who was a Christian was in the same situation as any other person who was a Christian, regardless of specific details. Every Christian is called to live honorably and here, Paul is calling slaves to fulfill their roles in a manner that would bring honor to Christ. The fact that they were slaves, once again, even acknowledging that this meant their lives might be more difficult, did not negate the relevance of the gospel. The gospel applies no matter what we are or where we are and that is one of the key truths conveyed by Paul to those in this congregation who were part of the slave class of the Empire. And it is because the gospel is always and everywhere relevant that it can do just what it did in the Roman Empire, which is change and even end institutions like slavery. When all parties, whether it be wives and husbands, children and fathers, or, in this present case, slaves and masters, start living out the truths of the gospel, relationships can be corrected and redeemed.
To emphasize that what he is commanding is not merely a piece of advice from some man most of the slaves had never met, which would have made it easier for the slaves to ignore him, Paul doesn’t stop with a mere exhortation to obedience. Let’s read all of v. 22: “Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.” Now, you see, Paul is taking this issue into the realm of the Christian faith. A believer of the gospel who is a slave is not just a slave, he is a slave before Christ—and that perspective will change attitudes and behavior. Paul is teaching that ultimately the slave’s conduct is not rendered to his master, but to Christ.
And note well that this is a matter of the heart, as Paul makes clear. The master may not be able to see the heart of his slave and may, therefore, be happy with what Paul calls “external service” or service designed to please men. But, as I said, the Christian who is a slave is not just a slave before his master, he is also a slave before his Savior and the Savior does see the heart and does know whether the slave is giving heartfelt obedience or simply hiding what he really thinks. This really is an amazing thing to grasp. Being a slave is one of the most degrading and problematic existences any person can have, but even there, even in the bonds of slavery, the Christian has a calling to honor Christ and that brings dignity even to the life of a servant.
Obeying with “sincerity of heart,” as Paul puts it, would mean obedience that is readily and gladly given. The perspective of such a slave would be determined by his relationship with Christ and his understanding that regardless of where he finds himself, he is a child of God in Christ and must give the very best of himself at all times.
Paul continues: “23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” These two verses repeat the ideas already stated by Paul and also add a bit more to the philosophy the slave was to adopt. Notice that Paul commends sincere work (this time he uses the word “heartily), but specifies what was implied before, namely, that the slave is ultimately serving his Savior. “Whatever you do,” Paul teaches, “do it as for the Lord rather than men.” The word translated “heartily” (ek psuche) means “from the soul.” This is a description of a response that is genuine and truly reflects the state of the heart. Further, the apostle encourages slaves to know that the Lord takes note of their willing service and will reward them. (cf. v. 24) Ultimately, as I have already said, the slave is serving Christ, his Redeemer, not merely a human master (as Paul puts it: “It is the Lord Christ whom you serve”).
Think about how such teaching might have dramatically affected a slave’s outlook. Even as a slave, as I indicated, he would have a sense of calling and dignity; even as a slave, he could honor his Savior and his Father in heaven. In a sense, Paul’s instruction gave a ministry to the slave. He could bring glory to God by happily complying with his master’s wishes; and such behavior would most likely lead others to ask questions of the slave to determine why he exhibited such a contented demeanor. In this way, not only is such a slave going to honor God, he’s also going to improve his master’s opinion of him, which would lead to a more comfortable existence.
I say again that Paul’s exhortation to slaves is a remarkable testimony to the transforming character of the gospel. All people, regardless of standing, are given dignity and duty in the gospel. And when that dignity is realized and when that duty is pursued with sincerity, as Paul teaches, good comes even to a person in a most undesirable circumstance.
The last thing Paul says to slaves is in the form of a warning: “For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.” (v. 25) Once again, the slave who is a Christian must not allow himself to retreat into self-pity, which then becomes an excuse for bad behavior. On the contrary, the slave who is a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ must carry himself well and he must distinguish himself with willing obedience. He cannot engage in misconduct and think God will bless his situation.
06. Paul’s exhortation to masters (4:1)
Paul has very little to say to masters, but what he does say conveys an essential truth: “Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.” The experience of the master is not like the experience of the slave. The master is served, his will is carried out, and his word rules. Yet, Paul reminds masters that they are not autonomous and must not allow their favored position to become the context of unrighteous behavior. Both the slave and the master have temptations unique to their standing. The slave, as I noted, might fall into self-pity and despair and, as a result, find an excuse for laziness or disobedience. The master might fall into a different trap, but one just as dangerous. The master, due to his comfortable position and the unthreatening nature of his relationship with the slave, might start to think more highly of himself than is proper; and his independence and his authority over another man might lead him to abuse the one who has no recourse and no means of bringing to an end wicked treatment.
Paul command masters, therefore, to be men of justice and fairness; and he adds the sobering reminder: “knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.” And that settles the question of how a master should treat a slave. No one is above accountability, not even the master of a slave. He might have authority over the slave, but the master, too, has Someone in authority over him. As Paul writes, the master must guard his treatment of the slave and always remember that he has a Master in heaven. So, the one with authority in this relationship must exercise that authority in a righteous—that is, Biblical—manner, and he must never forget that just as the slave’s conduct is open to his scrutiny, so his conduct is known to God above.
As I said of the slave earlier, the master who is a Christian is a master before the Lord and his calling is to be just and honorable in regard to his slave. Here, too, we could imagine the impact that Paul’s instructions would have on masters. Keeping in mind what the apostle told them, they would never become arrogant or puffed-up toward their slaves as if they have no one to whom they must give account.
Application
I noted before that I would do two things in regard to this passage. First, I would explain Paul’s words to slaves and masters; second, I would extract some principles from his words that would be applicable to our lives. In closing, then, I will move to the second of those two goals. Let’s begin with what Paul said to slaves. What principle are we to observe that has relevance for us? No matter how difficult your existence might be, you are not a slave. Is there anything, therefore, for you to learn from Paul’s exhortation to slaves in the Roman Empire? The answer, as you can guess, is “yes.”
Here is the chief principle to take away from the apostle’s exhortation to slaves. It something I said earlier: All people, regardless of standing, are given dignity and duty in the gospel. And when that dignity is realized and when that duty is pursued with sincerity, as Paul teaches, good comes even to a person in a most undesirable circumstance. Whatever your station in life, wherever you find yourself, you are accountable to your Savior. You have a calling and that calling is to conduct yourself in a manner that brings glory to God.
Maybe you have a crummy job or a job in which you wish some aspects would change. Maybe you find little enthusiasm in getting up and going to work each day. Maybe you are in the home and you wish some things about that circumstance would change. Maybe you wish your husband would be more kind and your children would be more responsive to your words. Maybe you are a student and you are weary of having to read and study and take tests. Maybe you are retired and you are thinking you don’t have opportunity to be as productive as you once were. No matter what you are doing in life, you can find aspects of your existence that are less than ideal and you can find things that, if you allow yourself to dwell on them, will affect the way you think and conduct yourself. But Paul’s message contains a principle, once again, and that principle is that you should do your very best as unto the Lord, no matter what your calling or station in life. It is that attitude, the attitude that I am fulfilling my duties before Christ, that will lead you to cheerful and productive service.
Ask yourself, therefore: Am I doing my very best in my present station in life or am I allowing unpleasant or undesirable aspects of my circumstances to cause me to be unproductive or miserable? Am I living each day “as to the Lord,” as Paul told slaves, or am I finding something to complain about every day? Here is another way to consider this issue: Do I consider my present position in life a calling from God? Remember that you are where you are according to His desire. That means that you should render to the Lord the very best service you are capable of giving, knowing that such a response is very pleasing to Him. It is this kind of thinking, I’ll remind you again, that gives every occupation and every station in life dignity and purpose. No matter what you do, doing it with the aim of pleasing the Lord will give you a satisfaction that might be escaping you presently.
What about Paul’s words to masters? No one here is a slave-owner, so is there anything to extract from the apostle’s command to masters that might be of benefit to us? The answer, once again, is “yes.” It’s a simple principle: No one is above accountability. It doesn’t matter how important you are in the business world or how much you have achieved in life or how many people feel compelled to please you or how much authority you have or how much influence you exert; you are still under authority yourself and you are still accountable to God above.
Understanding this truth leads to humility and humility leads to just behavior and kind behavior and gentleness toward others. As fallen creatures, we have to be on guard against allowing whatever authority we may have to produce in us an arrogance or a harshness toward others. Many people in this room have a measure of authority on some level—as parents, as employers, as bosses, as supervisors, or as teachers. You must constantly check yourself so that you do not start behaving as if you are not accountable. Even if you are at the top of your chain of command, you are not above Christ. Remembering that, ultimately speaking, you are to manifest your authority in a way that honors Him will keep you out of trouble and it will help those under your authority to respond eagerly and cheerfully.
If you are in any of the positions I’ve just described or something similar, ask yourself: Am I honoring the Lord in the way I exercise my authority? Am I conducting myself in such a manner that engenders trust in those under my authority? Does each day of my life reflect the fact that I know I have a Master in heaven?
Let’s pray…
Conclusion
It is worth noting that when we consider our Savior, we see the perfect representation of a Servant and a Master. This sacrament reminds us that, as a Servant, Jesus came and died for us. He came to carry out the will of His Father who decreed that we should have a Substitute to bear His wrath for sin. And Jesus came, meek and lowly, and with perfect obedience, did what was required.
And then we see our Savior triumph over death and we see Him honored by the Father upon His return to heaven. We read of all power and all authority being given to Him. And now, the Scriptures teach, He is ruling over all created jurisdiction as the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. And we read that all principalities and powers are now subject to Him.
As you receive this sacrament, consider the examples of Christ. He is both a perfect servant and a perfect Master. Learn from Him. Pray for His help. And, above all, be thankful for what He did for you on that cross and for what He now does for you in the heavens where He is exalted above all.
The Scripture says:
While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. (Matt. 26:26-28)