Colossians 3:22

Servants, obey in all things them that are your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord:

'SERVANTS' -In reading the letters to the various churches, it is clear that many Christians in the First Century were slaves (1 Corinthians 7:21; Ephesians 6:5; 1 Peter 2:18).

'OBEY IN ALL THINGS' -The only exception being something that would violate the will of God (Acts 5:29).

'MASTERS ACCORDING TO THE FLESH' -Which infers that they also had. heavenly Master.

'NOT WITH EYE-SERVICE' -'service while the master's eye was on the slave and no longer' (Robertson p. 507) (Ephesians 6:6)

'AS MEN-PLEASERS' -'as if you had but to please men' (TCNT); 'like those who court human favor' (Mof); 'not with the idea of currying favor' (Phi)

Points to Note:

1. Christianity didn't remove the social distinction (the slave was still. slave, even after his conversion). 'He is in effect saying that his Christianity must make him. better and more efficient slave. Christianity never in this world offers escape from hard work; it makes. man able to work still harder. Nor does it offer. man escape from difficult situations; it enables him to meet these situations better.' (Barclay pp. 164-165)

2. As Eadie says, 'Slaves have usually but one motive, and that is, to avoid punishment, and therefore they only labor to please the master when his eye is on them.' (p. 258) Carefully note: The slave is still. slave, even. slave to. cruel master (1 Peter 2:18). Christianity supplies the slave with. higher ethic,. greater purpose, and expects him to be. better worker.

'BUT IN SINGLENESS OF HEART' -572. haplotes hap-lot'-ace; from 573; singleness, i.e. (subjectively) sincerity (without dissimulation or self-seeking), or (objectively) generosity (copious bestowal): -bountifulness, liberal(-ity), simplicity, singleness.

'without duplicity or doubleness' (Vincent p. 508). 'that is, "undivided purpose", aiming only to be faithful to duty and devoted to one's task.' (Erdman p. 106)

'FEARING THE LORD' -The real Master that they are working for.

Points to Note:

1. Singleness of heart demands. pure motive. Serving your earthly master, giving him the best service possible, being the most productive slave that he could ever own--because that is what the Lord Jesus Christ commands. That is the Lord's will.

2. Please note how God doesn't give the slave any slack. He doesn't pity him, He doesn't say, 'You poor soul, life has been so unfair'. He doesn't recount for the slave all the injustices that they have endured. And neither does God give him some political speech about the rights of the oppressed. God enforces. very high moral ethic upon the slave. God expects him to live an unselfish life. God expects the slave to serve others! (1 Peter 2:3)

3. All of this infers that you are treating people with respect, you are treating people EQUALLY AND FAIRLY, when you demand that they live up to their responsibilities and obligations.