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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master—in heaven.

Context of Colossians 4:1

Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. 2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

Colossians 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

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Mastersκύριοςkurios · lord: masterG2962
• giveπαρέχωparechō · to furnish occasionG3930
• untoδοῦλοςdoulos · slaveG1401
• that which is justδίκαιοςdikaios · justG1342
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• equalἰσότηςisotēs · equalityG2471
• knowingεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• yeσύsu · youG4771
• haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• heavenοὐρανόςouranos · heavenG3772

Cross-references for Colossians 4:1

• Leviticus 19:13“ ‘Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. “ ‘Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker overnight.
• Leviticus 25:39“ ‘If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and sell themselves to you, do not make them work as slaves.
• Deuteronomy 15:12If any of your people—Hebrew men or women—sell themselves to you and serve you six years, in the seventh year you must let them go free.
• Deuteronomy 24:14Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner residing in one of your towns.
• Nehemiah 5:5Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our fellow Jews and though our children are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others.”
• Job 24:11They crush olives among the terraces; they tread the winepresses, yet suffer thirst.
• Job 31:13“If I have denied justice to any of my servants, whether male or female, when they had a grievance against me,
• Isaiah 58:3‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers.
• Jeremiah 34:9Everyone was to free their Hebrew slaves, both male and female; no one was to hold a fellow Hebrew in bondage.
• Malachi 3:5“So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me,” says the Lord Almighty.
• James 2:13because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
• James 5:4Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.
• Ecclesiastes 5:8If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still.
• Matthew 23:8“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers.
• Matthew 24:48But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’
• Luke 16:1Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting 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

• Employer
• Master
• Servant
• Wages

In the dictionaries

• Ephesians, Epistle to
• Fervently
• Greet
• Colossians, Epistle to the
• Ephesians, Epistle to the
• Give

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