Colossians 3:18-21

The Christian's Home

It appears to this writer that Paul's words on the family are a special application of doing all in the Lord's name. In even the smallest of tasks, when two people work together someone must be in charge or direct the work. God ordained that the wife should yield to the authority of her husband (Genesis 3:16). Subjection is fitting under God's law, but not if the husband directs his wife to do something unfit in God's sight (Acts 5:29). While the wife is to be in subjection, the husband cannot be a thoughtless dictator. A man's wife is to be his special love and she should receive the tender attention one would give to his own fragile, sensitive body parts (Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:28-29; 1 Peter 3:7).

Children should submit themselves to their parents in obedience. Such teaches them appropriate submission to authority and will help them be prepared to yield to God. Again, submission is limited to doing those things which are right in God's sight, for the Christian's ultimate goal is to please Him. A father's goal should be to encourage his children to do good. He should carefully direct and discipline so as to keep them on the path of righteousness (Colossians 3:18-21).