Paul Writes to Servants - Colossians 3:22

As Paul the apostle continued to address the need for unity and cohesion within the church at Colosse, he began to work with specific people groups within the church. He wrote to wives, husbands, children and fathers, and in chapter three and verse twenty-two of his letter to them, Paul turned his attention on the servants who were among them. We read:

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

The verse begins, “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh;” Paul began with the word “Servants” which is the Greek word “dulous” and means “a slave, bondman, man of servile condition”. We might better know them as “employees”, and his directive to them is to “obey” or “listen to, hearken to, or submit to” “in all things” which means “each, every, any and all things whether individually or collectively” “your masters” which refers to “one to whom a person or thing belongs, the possessor or disposer of something, or one who has respect, honor and the power of deciding”. They were to “obey” them “according to the flesh” which means “down from, throughout, according to and toward the natural things of the body”. The idea was for “servants” to be in subjection to their masters in all the things which employ their bodies for their care.

The verse continues, “ not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:” Paul added a specific way “servants” are not to be when he wrote, “not with eye-service” or “with service performed only under the master's eyes or which renders sluggish in his absence”. He goes on to add “as men-pleasers” which are people who “study to please men or count the favor of men”. Paul went on to give the way these servant should be when he wrote “but in singleness of heart” or “simplicity, sincerity, mental honesty, the virtue of one who is free from pretense and hypocrisy”. These are those who are “not self-seeking and have an openness of heart manifesting itself in generosity”, and “servants” were to obey their masters in this manner with the understanding that they were “fearing God” or “reverencing and respecting God” when they did so.

As we think upon these words of Paul, let us consider behavior in the work place. Paul's idea was for the church members of Colosse to dwell in unity, and as he addressed the “servants” and their role toward their “masters” certainly this could have been an area of contention. As “servants” or “employees” the key to understanding this verse is remember who our true “master” or “boss” is. When we work as unto the Lord and not just for our bosses, we will not be slighting Him in His absence or making ourselves look good only in His presence. We will understand that we are always in the Lord's presence, and there should never be a time when we do not give or provide our best. May the Lord help us know and understand that when we work we do so as unto God and not only unto men.

Next time Paul tells the Colossians they should do everything as unto the Lord, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.