New American Standard Bible 1995
Colossians 4:1
Colossians 4:1 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
- New International Version (NIV)Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Context of Colossians 4:1
Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven. 2Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;
Read all of Colossians 4Colossians 4:1 word by word
Οἱ κύριοι, τὸ δίκαιον καὶ τὴν ἰσότητα τοῖς δούλοις παρέχεσθε εἰδότες ὅτι καὶ ὑμεῖς ἔχετε κύριον ἐν οὐρανῷ.¶Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Colossians 4:1
- Leviticus 19:13‘You shall not oppress your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of a hired man are not to remain with you all night until morning.
- Leviticus 25:39‘If a countryman of yours becomes so poor with regard to you that he sells himself to you, you shall not subject him to a slave’s service.
- Deuteronomy 15:12“If your kinsman, a Hebrew man or woman, is sold to you, then he shall serve you six years, but in the seventh year you shall set him free.
- Deuteronomy 24:14“You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your countrymen or one of your aliens who is in your land in your towns.
- Nehemiah 5:5Now our flesh is like the flesh of our brothers, our children like their children. Yet behold, we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters are forced into bondage already, and we are helpless because our fields and vineyards belong to others.”
- Job 24:11Within the walls they produce oil; They tread wine presses but thirst.
- Job 31:13“If I have despised the claim of my male or female slaves When they filed a complaint against me,
- Isaiah 58:3‘Why have we fasted and You do not see? Why have we humbled ourselves and You do not notice?’ Behold, on the day of your fast you find your desire, And drive hard all your workers.
- Jeremiah 34:9that each man should set free his male servant and each man his female servant, a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman; so that no one should keep them, a Jew his brother, in bondage.
- Malachi 3:5“Then I will draw near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who swear falsely, and against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the alien and do not fear Me,” says the Lord of hosts.
- James 2:13For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
- James 5:4Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.
- Ecclesiastes 5:8If you see oppression of the poor and denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be shocked at the sight; for one official watches over another official, and there are higher officials over them.
- Matthew 23:8But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers.
- Matthew 24:48But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’
- Luke 16:1Now He was also saying to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and this manager was reported to him as squandering his possessions.
Commentaries on Colossians 4:1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Masters, give unto your servants - This verse should have been added to the preceding, to which it properly belongs; and this chapter should have begun with Colossians 4:2. That which is just and equal - As they are bondmen or slaves of whom the apostle speaks, we may at once see with what propriety this exhortation is given. The condition of slaves among the Greeks and Romans was wretched in the extreme; they could appeal to no law; and they could…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1Masters, give unto your servants - See the notes at Ephesians 6:9. That which is just and equal - What they ought to have; what is fairly their due. The apostle here, probably, refers to bondmen or slaves, and the propriety of this rule is apparent. Such persons were subject to their masters‘ control; their time and services were at their disposal, and they could not enforce their just and equal claims by an appeal to the laws. They were, therefore…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1Masters to do their duty towards servants. (1) Persons of all ranks to persevere in prayer, and Christian prudence. (2-6) The apostle refers to others for an account of his affairs. (7-9) Sends greetings; and concludes with a blessing. (10-18) Verse 1 The apostle proceeds with the duty of masters to their servants. Not only justice is required of them, but strict equity and kindness. Let them deal with servants as they expect God should deal with…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1Masters: Christian slave owners needed to understand that they were also slaves who had to obey Jesus Christ, their Master in heaven. He treats everyone with dignity and kindness.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-181. give--Greek "render": literally, "afford." equal--that is, as the slaves owe their duties to you, so you equally owe to them your duties as masters. Compare "ye masters do the same things" (see on Ep 6:9). Alford translates, "fairness," "equity," which gives a large and liberal interpretation of justice in common matters (Phm 16). knowing--(Col 3:24). ye also--as well as they.Read the comment
Topics related to Colossians 4:1
In the dictionaries
Notes
Commentaries on Colossians 4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New American Standard Bible 1995 — © 1960–1995 The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
Commentaries