Colossians 3:22-25

Instructions for Servants and Masters

Paul has been criticized by some for not openly condemning slavery. However, the instructions he gave to slave and master must have hastened that terrible system's end. If a servant wanted to please the Lord, he would obey his master and do his work so as to be acceptable in God's sight. Pleasing God can only be accomplished by doing things right through and through and not merely on the surface. Such service would quickly attract the master's attention and might cause him to ask what was different about the slave.

Because Christians wear the name of Christ, they should give their very best in service. Everything believers do should first be done to please the Lord. Men might fail to give a proper reward for things one does but God will always reward appropriately. In Paul's day, slaves could not receive an inheritance. In Christ, one is not a slave but a son and is thus eligible for an inheritance in heaven (Galatians 4:7). God's children serve Christ Jesus and He will not have them go unrewarded.

Whether slave or master, the one who violates Christ's law will be rewarded with punishment. God is impartial and will reward each according to his deeds (Galatians 6:7-8). Masters of slaves needed to remember that they had a Master in heaven. That Master will judge them in the same manner they have judged their slaves (Colossians 3:22-25; Colossians 4:1; Matthew 7:1-2; Ephesians 6:8-9).