Colossians 3:25

For he that doeth wrong shall receive again for the wrong that he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

Points to Note:

1. Precisely 'who' the above warning is directed at (in the context), is. matter of debate among commentators: (a) Is it. warning directed at lazy or rebellious slaves? (b) Does it introduce the instruction to masters? (c) Or it is. transition verse, which is directed at both parties? In the final analysis, it applies to both slaves and masters. In addition, it also applies to all the groups mentioned previously.

2. The verse reminds slaves: (1) God isn't inherently on the side of the oppressed (which is the contention of some Catholic theologians). God will punish the lazy slave. God doesn't buy the argument that human suffering, or. hard lot in life exempt one from the danger of going to hell. (2) It reminds the slave to stop worrying about what the master is or isn't doing--God will deal with him. (3) It should remind the slave that suffering isn't an excuse to do wrong, i.e. poor wages can never be used as. justification to steal from the master or vandalize his property. Wrongdoing is never excused by the circumstances. God doesn't believe in. situational ethic. 'as. warning to the Christian slave not to presume on his Christianity, so as to think that God will overlook his misdeeds or idleness.' (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 543)

Carefully note that this section also tells us that Paul is making it clear that God doesn't approve of what Onesimus initially did, i.e. runaway from his master. The rule is universal, it applies to every slave and every master. God is impartial (Leviticus 19:15; Malachi 2:9; Acts 10:34).

O'Brien writes, 'They (slaves) must not suppose that wicked actions have no significance before God because they are slaves or that indulgence would be granted because of extenuating circumstances' (p. 231)

3. The verse reminds the master: (1) Social status, wealth, etc...doesn't impress God. (2) God cannot be bribed or bought off (Romans 2:11). (3) Wrongdoing committed by "successful people", is just as wrong as that committed by those in the depth of poverty. All the "good" that. person has done for the community--can't be used to downplay the sins that they have committed.

CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS:

Two questions are usually asked in reference to this section on the duties of Christian slaves:

1. Do such commands apply equally in different economic situations, i.e. an employee/employer relationship. In response, we must say yes: (a) If the Christian in the most difficult or the lowest possible social and economic position must adhere to these commands, then certainly Christians in any other economic arrangement are obligated also. If the hardest situation demands the maintaining of such. high moral standard, then all lesser situations demand the same thing. In addition, in the Ephesian letter, the statement is made that the Lord will repay both slave and free for what they have done (Ephesians 6:8). Paul includes the freedman, what we call the employee, as being amendable to these commands.

2. Why didn't God just condemn slavery? (a) That is. very shallow perspective. For men have replaced slavery by social/economic systems that are just as cruel at times-i.e. communism, the sweat-shops that existed in this country--that still exist in many parts of the world. And I'm not impressed by the "enlightened" people who complain that the Bible doesn't condemn slavery--who at the same time are employing illegal aliens. (b) Slavery was never the real problem. In the Bible we find. number of instances where. slave-master relationship was. very good thing (Exodus 2:5). And the slave's biggest problem wasn't his "condition", rather it was the attitude of his heart. You see, God never promises absolute freedom to anyone. The slave who gained his freedom, was still. "slave" to God (1 Corinthians 7:22).

3. These verses reveal that the "circumstances" can never be blamed for the cause of our present unhappiness. God believed that. slave could be happy, fulfilled and content, even in the condition of slavery.

4. Too many people are under the impression that they would be happier, more productive, spiritually stronger, etc.... just if the circumstances were. bit different. That is. myth.