King James Version
Colossians 3
25 verses with commentary
The New Life in Christ
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
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<strong>If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.</strong> Chapter 3 transitions from doctrinal foundation to practical application. "If ye then be risen" (<em>ei oun synēgerthēte</em>, εἰ οὖν συνηγέρθητε) uses first-class condition assuming truth: "since you were raised." Union with Christ's resurrection (2:12-13) demands co...
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III.
(1-4) As the partaking of the death of Christ taught the negative lesson of death to the Law, so the partaking of His resurrection teaches the positive lesson of the spiritual life. We observe that this celebrated passage occupies a place at the close of the doctrinal portion of the Epistle, exactly corresponding to the even greater passage on the unity of the Church in God in the Epistle to ...
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**29. For--**Supply, and we all love ourselves: "For no man," &c.
**his own flesh--**(Ep 5:31, end).
**nourisheth--**Greek, "nourisheth it up," namely, to maturity. "Nourisheth," refers to food and internal sustenance; "cherisheth," to clothing and external fostering.
**even as--**Translate, "even as also."
**the Lord--**The oldest manuscripts read, "Christ." Ex 21:10 prescribes three ...
Read full commentary →Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. affection: or, mind
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<strong>Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.</strong> Paul reinforces the command with parallel construction. "Set your affection" (<em>phronite</em>, φρονεῖτε) literally means "think about" or "set your mind on," indicating not merely emotions but intellectual and volitional focus. Present imperative again demands continuous mental orientation toward heavenly realities....
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**30. For--**Greek, "Because" (1Co 6:15). Christ nourisheth and cherisheth the Church as being of one flesh with Him. Translate, "Because we are members of His body (His literal body), being OF His flesh and of His bones" [Alford] (Ge 2:23, 24). The Greek expresses, "Being formed out of" or "of the substance of His flesh." Adam's deep sleep, wherein Eve was formed from out of his opened side, is a...
Read full commentary →For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
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<strong>For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.</strong> Paul provides theological foundation for commands in verses 1-2. "For" (<em>gar</em>, γάρ) introduces explanation. "Ye are dead" (<em>apethanete</em>, ἀπεθάνετε) uses aorist tense indicating completed past action—believers definitively died with Christ (2:20), severing connection to old life and this world system.<br><br>"Y...
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(3) **Ye are dead.**—Properly, *ye died.* See Colossians 2:20, and Note there. The phrase here is to be taken in its whole sense, both of “death to sin” and “death to the visible world.”
**Your life is hid with Christ in God . . . Christ who is our life.**—In these two phrases, again, we pass from a lower to a higher expression of the same truth. (1) First, “our life is hid with Christ in God.” Th...
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**31. For--**The propagation of the Church from Christ, as that of Eve from Adam, is the foundation of the spiritual marriage. The natural marriage, wherein "a man leaves father and mother (the oldest manuscripts omit 'his') and is joined unto his wife," is not the principal thing meant here, but the spiritual marriage represented by it, and on which it rests, whereby Christ left the Father's boso...
Read full commentary →When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
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<strong>When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.</strong> Paul shifts from present to future, completing the eschatological picture. Christ is described as "our life" (<em>hē zōē hēmōn</em>, ἡ ζωή ἡμῶν)—not merely life-giver but life itself. Christian existence is Christ living in believers (Galatians 2:20); He is not supplement to our life but const...
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(4) **When Christ . . . shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.**—This describes the last stage of the spiritual life—the glorification with Christ in heaven, manifesting what now is hidden, and perfecting what exists only in germ. (Comp. 1John 3:1-2, “Now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be lik...
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32. Rather, "This mystery is a great one." This profound truth, beyond man's power of discovering, but now revealed, namely, of the spiritual union of Christ and the Church, represented by the marriage union, is a great one, of deep import. See on Ep 5:30. So "mystery" is used of a divine truth not to be discovered save by revelation of God (Ro 11:25; 1Co 15:51). The Vulgate wrongly translates, "T...
Read full commentary →Put to Death the Old Self
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
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<strong>Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.</strong> "Therefore" (<em>oun</em>, οὖν) draws practical implication from resurrection union with Christ (vv. 1-4). "Mortify" (<em>nekrōsate</em>, νεκρώσατε, "put to death") uses violent imagery—not gradual suppression but decisiv...
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[**5.Practical Exhortation, General.**
(1) NEGATIVE.—To MORTIFY THE OLD MAN, by fleeing from—
(*a*)*Uncleanness and lust* (Colossians 3:5-7);
(*b*)*Wrath and malice* (Colossians 3:8);
(*c*)*Falsehood* (Colossians 3:9).
(2) POSITIVE.—To PUT ON THE NEW MAN, making Christ our “all in all.”
(*a*)*In love and peace, as shown in mercy, humility, patience, and forgiveness* (Colossians 3:10-15);
(*b*)*In ...
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**33. Nevertheless--**not to pursue further the mystical meaning of marriage. Translate, as Greek, "Do ye also (as Christ does) severally each one so love," &c. The words, "severally each one," refer to them in their individual capacity, contrasted with the previous collective view of the members of the Church as the bride of Christ.
For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
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<strong>For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.</strong> Paul provides motivation: divine judgment. "The wrath of God" (<em>hē orgē tou theou</em>, ἡ ὀργὴ τοῦ θεοῦ) isn't emotional outburst but settled opposition to sin, God's holy response to moral evil. "Cometh" (<em>erchetai</em>, ἔρχεται) uses present tense, possibly indicating certainty (prophetic prese...
Read full commentary →In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
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<strong>In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.</strong> Paul reminds believers of their past: "ye also walked" (<em>periepatēsate kai hymeis</em>, περιεπατήσατε καὶ ὑμεῖς). Aorist tense indicates completed past action—they formerly lived this way but no longer. "Walked" means habitual conduct; "lived in them" (<em>ezēte en autois</em>, ἐζῆτε ἐν αὐτοῖς) indicates the sins for...
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(7) **In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived** (*were living*) **in them.**—The former condition of heathenism was that in which “they were living,” with contagion of evil on every side. But St. Paul is not content without noting their own active participation—“ye walked in them.” (Comp. Ephesians 4:17-20.)
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 6 Ep 6:1-24. Mutual Duties of Parents and Children: Masters and Servants: Our Life a Warfare: The Spiritual Armour Needed against Spiritual Foes. Conclusion.
**1. obey--**stronger than the expression as to wives, "submitting," or "being subject" (Ep 5:21). Obedience is more unreasoning and implicit; submission is the willing subjection of an inferior in point of order to one who has a rig...
Read full commentary →But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
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<strong>But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.</strong> "But now" (<em>nyni de</em>, νυνὶ δέ) marks decisive break between past and present. "Put off" (<em>apothesthe</em>, ἀπόθεσθε) means discard like removing dirty clothes—aorist imperative demanding decisive action. "All these" introduces second vice list, focusing on speech s...
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(8) **Anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy** (*slander—*see Ephesians 4:31 and Notes there), **filthy communication.**—The word is “foul,” and the context here seems to show that it refers to grossness of insult and abuse, rather than (as in the cognate word of Ephesians 4:4) to “filthiness.”
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
2. Here the authority of revealed law is added to that of natural law.
**which is ... promise--**The "promise" is not made the main motive to obedience, but an incidental one. The main motive is, because it is God's will (De 5:16, "Honor thy father and mother, as the Lord thy God hath COMMANDED thee"); and that it is so peculiarly, is shown by His accompanying it "with a promise."
**first--**i...
Read full commentary →Lie not one to another , seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
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<strong>Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds.</strong> The command "lie not" (<em>mē pseudesthe</em>, μὴ ψεύδεσθε) uses present imperative with negative particle, prohibiting continuing action: "stop lying." The horizontal orientation ("one to another," <em>eis allēlous</em>, εἰς ἀλλήλους) emphasizes Christian community—believers must maintain truthfulness...
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(9) **Lie not one to another.**—Comp. Ephesians 4:25, and note the characteristic insertion there of a clause to which there is nothing here to correspond, “for we are members one of another.”
**Seeing that ye (have) put off the old man.**—Comp. the fuller description of Ephesians 4:22-24.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3. long on the earth--**In Ex 20:12, "long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee," which Paul adapts to Gospel times, by taking away the local and limited reference peculiar to the Jews in Canaan. The godly are equally blessed in every land, as the Jews were in the land which God gave them. This promise is always fulfilled, either literally, or by the substitution of a higher blessing...
Read full commentary →And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
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<strong>And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.</strong> Conversion involves both negative (putting off) and positive (putting on). "Have put on" (<em>endysamenoi</em>, ἐνδυσάμενοι) continues clothing metaphor: believers clothed themselves with "the new man" (<em>ton neon</em>, τὸν νέον), the new identity in Christ. This isn't self-improv...
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(10-17) In these verses we have the corresponding positive exhortation, connected with the idea of resurrection with Christ, through which we put on the new man, holding Christ to be our all in all. Of the new nature there are two marks—towards man love in all its various forms, towards God thanksgiving and living to His glory.
(10) **The new man, which is** (*being*) **renewed.**—There are here t...
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**4. fathers--**including mothers; the fathers are specified as being the fountains of domestic authority. Fathers are more prone to passion in relation to their children than mothers, whose fault is rather over-indulgence.
**provoke not--**irritate not, by vexatious commands, unreasonable blame, and uncertain temper [Alford]. Col 3:21, "lest they be discouraged."
**nurture--**Greek, "discipli...
Read full commentary →Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
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<strong>Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.</strong> Paul celebrates the new humanity's radical inclusiveness. Traditional divisions—ethnic ("Greek nor Jew"), religious ("circumcision nor uncircumcision"), cultural ("Barbarian, Scythian"), social ("bond nor free")—dissolve in Christ. Scythians wer...
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(11) **Where there is neither . . .**—This passage naturally suggests comparison with Galatians 3:28. “There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither bond nor free; there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Jesus Christ.” In comparing the passages (passing by the insertion here of “circumcision nor uncircumcision,” which is simply explanatory of “Jew nor Greek”) we notice in this—(...
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**5. Servants--**literally, "slaves."
**masters according to the flesh--**in contrast to your true and heavenly Master (Ep 6:4). A consolatory him that the mastership to which they were subject, was but for a time [Chrysostom]; and that their real liberty was still their own (1Co 7:22).
**fear and trembling--**not slavish terror, but (See on 1Co 2:3; 2Co 7:15) an anxious eagerness to do your d...
Read full commentary →Put on the New Self
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
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<strong>Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.</strong> "Therefore" (<em>oun</em>, οὖν) draws practical implications from new identity (vv. 9-11). "Put on" (<em>endysasthe</em>, ἐνδύσασθε) continues clothing metaphor, aorist imperative demanding decisive action. Believers must actively clothe themselves wit...
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(12) **Elect of God.**—For the description of the election here signified see Ephesians 1:4-6. The name is obviously applied to the whole Church, as “elect to privilege “; it is not opposed to “called” (as in Matthew 20:16), but coincident with it, representing, indeed, the secret act of God’s gracious will, which is openly manifested in calling. (Comp. the other instances of the word in the Epist...
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6. (Col 3:22). Seeking to please their masters only so long as these have their eyes on them: as Gehazi was a very different man in his master's presence from what he was in his absence (2Ki 5:1-18).
**men-pleasers--**not Christ-pleasers (compare Ga 1:10; 1Th 2:4).
**doing the will of God--**the unseen but ever present Master: the best guarantee for your serving faithfully your earthly master ...
Read full commentary →Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. quarrel: or, complaint
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.</strong> Paul focuses on relational dynamics within Christian community. "Forbearing" (<em>anechomenoi</em>, ἀνεχόμενοι, bearing with, tolerating) recognizes that believers will annoy and disappoint each other. "Forgiving" (<em>charizomenoi</em>, χαριζόμενοι,...
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(13) **Even as Christ forgave you.**—The MS. authority is in favour of the word “Lord” instead of Christ; but since the name “Lord” is specially applied to Christ in these Epistles (see, for example, Ephesians 4:5) there is no real difference. In Ephesians 4:31 we have “God in Christ forgave you,” because there the example of Christ, as Son of Man, is afterwards to be set forth emphatically as an ...
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**7. good will--**expressing his feeling towards his master; as "doing the will of God from the heart" expresses the source of that feeling (Col 3:23). "Good will" is stated by Xenophon [Economics] to be the principal virtue of a slave towards his master: a real regard to his master's interest as if his own, a good will which not even a master's severity can extinguish.
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.</strong> Paul climaxes the virtue list with <em>agapēn</em> (ἀγάπην, "charity/love"), the supreme Christian virtue. "Above all these things" (<em>epi pasin de toutois</em>, ἐπὶ πᾶσιν δὲ τούτοις) means either "in addition to" or "over" these virtues—love crowns them all, the outer garment completing the outfit. "Pu...
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(14) **Above all.**—Properly, *over all—*as a bond or cincture to keep all together. Love is the general principle, harmonising all the special graces named above.
**The bond of perfectness.**—The bond of that harmony of character which is perfection. The phrase is remarkable, apparently suggested by the claim to perfection, set up by the Gnostic teachers. They sought such perfection in knowledge ...
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**8. any man doeth--**Greek, "any man shall have done," that is, shall be found at the Lord's coming to have done.
**the same--**in full payment, in heaven's currency.
**shall ... receive--**(2Co 5:10; Col 3:25; but all of grace, Lu 17:10).
**bond or free--**(1Co 7:22; 12:13; Ga 3:28; Col 3:11). Christ does not regard such distinctions in His present dealings of grace, or in His future judgm...
Read full commentary →And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.</strong> "Let the peace of God rule" (<em>hē eirēnē tou Christou brabeuetō</em>, ἡ εἰρήνη τοῦ Χριστοῦ βραβευέτω) uses athletic imagery: peace acts as umpire/referee making decisions "in your hearts" (<em>en tais kardiais hymōn</em>, ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν). When conflicting impulse...
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(15) **The peace of God.**—The true reading is *the peace of Christ*—that which He gives (John 14:27), that which He is (see Ephesians 2:14). The ordinary reading is, no doubt, borrowed from Philippians 4:7. This verse forms a link between the preceding exhortation to love of man, and the following exhortation to a loving and thankful service of God. The “peace of Christ” is the sense of unity in ...
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**9. the same things--**Mutatis mutandis. Show the same regard to God's will, and to your servants' well-being, in your relation to them, as they ought to have in their relation to you. Love regulates the duties both of servants and masters, as one and the same light attempers various colors. Equality of nature and faith is superior to distinctions of rank [Bengel]. Christianity makes all men brot...
Read full commentary →Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.</strong> "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly" (<em>ho logos tou Christou enoikeitō en hymin plousiōs</em>, ὁ λόγος τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐνοικείτω ἐν ὑμῖν πλουσίως) commands making Scripture central to Christian...
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(16) **The word of Christ.**—Here again the definite phrase, “the word of Christ,” takes the place of the commoner phrase, “the word of the Lord,” “the word of God.” It is to “dwell in their hearts.” Hence it is the engrafted word” (James 1:21)—the truth of Christ conceived in the heart, striking root into it, and making it its dwelling-place. It will be observed how all such phrases prepare for t...
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**10. my brethren--**Some of the oldest manuscripts omit these words. Some with Vulgate retain them. The phrase occurs nowhere else in the Epistle (see, however, Ep 6:23); if genuine, it is appropriate here in the close of the Epistle, where he is urging his fellow soldiers to the good fight in the Christian armor. Most of the oldest manuscripts for "finally," read, "henceforward," or "from hencef...
Read full commentary →And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
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<strong>And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.</strong> Paul provides comprehensive life principle. "Whatsoever ye do" (<em>pan ho ti ean poiēte</em>, πᾶν ὃ τι ἐὰν ποιῆτε) encompasses every activity without exception—no sacred/secular division. "In word or deed" (<em>en logō ē en ergō</em>, ἐν λόγῳ ἢ ἐν ἔργῳ) covers s...
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(17) **All in the name of the Lord Jesus.**—Comp. here the more general exhortation of 1Corinthians 10:31, “Whether ye eat or drink, or whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” This is the first principle of all godly life. The main object of all life, speculative or practical, is declared to be, not our own happiness or perfection, not the good of our fellow-men, but the “glory of God”—the ca...
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**11. the whole armour--**the armor of light (Ro 13:12); on the right hand and left (2Co 6:7). The panoply offensive and defensive. An image readily suggested by the Roman armory, Paul being now in Rome. Repeated emphatically, Ep 6:13. In Ro 13:14 it is, "Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ"; in putting on Him, and the new man in Him, we put on "the whole armor of God." No opening at the head, the fee...
Read full commentary →Christian Household Rules
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.</strong> Paul addresses household relationships (vv. 18-4:1), called "household codes" (<em>Haustafeln</em>) in German scholarship. These weren't unique to Paul; similar codes appeared in Greco-Roman and Jewish literature, but Paul Christianizes them with "in the Lord" qualifications. "Wives, submit" (<em>hai gynaik...
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[**6.Special Exhortation as to the relations of life. **
(1)THE DUTY OF WIVES AND HUSBANDS (Colossians 3:18-19).
(2)THE DUTY OF CHILDREN AND PARENTS (Colossians 3:20-21).
(3)THE DUTY OF SLAVES AND MASTERS (Colossians 3:22 to Colossians 4:1).]
(18) **As it is fit in the Lord.**—For the explanation of this special fitness “in the Lord,” *i.e., *in virtue of Christian unity, see the grand description...
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12. Greek, "For our wrestling ('the wrestling' in which we are engaged) is not against flesh," &c. Flesh and blood foes are Satan's mere tools, the real foe lurking behind them is Satan himself, with whom our conflict is. "Wrestling" implies that it is a hand-to-hand and foot-to-foot struggle for the mastery: to wrestle successfully with Satan, we must wrestle with God in irresistible prayer l...
Read full commentary →Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
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<strong>Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.</strong> Paul balances wives' submission with husbands' responsibility. "Love your wives" (<em>hoi andres, agapate tas gynaikas</em>, οἱ ἄνδρες, ἀγαπᾶτε τὰς γυναῖκας) commands ongoing <em>agapē</em> love—self-giving commitment, not merely emotional affection. Present imperative indicates continuous action: keep loving. Ephesians 5:...
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(19) **Be not bitter.**—Properly, *grow not bitter, *suffer not yourselves to be exasperated. The word is used metaphorically only in this passage, literally in Revelation 8:11; Revelation 10:9-10.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**13. take ... of God--**not "make," God has done that: you have only to "take up" and put it on. The Ephesians were familiar with the idea of the gods giving armor to mythical heroes: thus Paul's allusion would be appropriate.
**the evil day--**the day of Satan's special assaults (Ep 6:12, 16) in life and at the dying hour (compare Re 3:10). We must have our armor always on, to be ready against...
Read full commentary →Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
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<strong>Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.</strong> Paul addresses children directly (revolutionary in ancient culture that barely acknowledged children's personhood). "Obey your parents" (<em>ta tekna, hypakouete tois goneusin</em>, τὰ τέκνα, ὑπακούετε τοῖς γονεῦσιν) commands submission to both parents' authority. "In all things" (<em>kata panta</e...
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**14. Stand--**The repetition in Ep 6:11, 14, shows that standing, that is, maintaining our ground, not yielding or fleeing, is the grand aim of the Christian soldier. Translate as Greek, "Having girt about your loins with truth," that is, with truthfulness, sincerity, a good conscience (2Co 1:12; 1Ti 1:5, 18; 3:9). Truth is the band that girds up and keeps together the flowing robes, so as that t...
Read full commentary →Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.</strong> Paul balances children's obedience with fathers' restraint. "Provoke not" (<em>mē erethizete</em>, μὴ ἐρεθίζετε) means don't irritate, embitter, or exasperate. Present imperative with negative: stop provoking. Fathers with absolute authority must exercise it wisely, not abusing power through harshness, inconsis...
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(21) **Provoke not . . . to anger.**—This, in the text followed by our version, is borrowed from Ephesians 6:4. The true reading is *provoke to emulation, *as in 2Corinthians 9:2. What is forbidden is a constant and restless stimulation, “spurring the willing horse;” which will end in failure and despondency.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
15. Translate, "Having shod your feet" (referring to the sandals, or to the military shoes then used).
**the preparation--**rather, "the preparedness," or "readiness of," that is, arising from the "Gospel" (Psa 10:17). Preparedness to do and suffer all that God wills; readiness for march, as a Christian soldier.
**gospel of peace--**(compare Lu 1:79; Ro 10:15). The "peace" within forms a beaut...
Read full commentary →Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God.</strong> Paul addresses slaves (<em>douloi</em>, δοῦλοι, "servants" in KJV)—perhaps majority of early church members. "Obey in all things" (<em>hypakouete kata panta</em>, ὑπακούετε κατὰ πάντα) commands comprehensive obedience to "masters according...
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(22-25) Compare throughout Ephesians 6:5-9. The only peculiarity of this passage is the strong emphasis laid on “the reward of the inheritance.” “The reward” is in the original, *a perfect recompense* or *requital.* The “inheritance” is exactly that which no slave could receive; only a son could be an heir (Galatians 4:7). Hence the slave on earth is recognised as a son in heaven. He “serves the L...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**16. Above all--**rather, "Over all"; so as to cover all that has been put on before. Three integuments are specified, the breastplate, girdle, and shoes; two defenses, the helmet and shield; and two offensive weapons, the sword and the spear (prayer). Alford translates, "Besides all," as the Greek is translated, Lu 3:20. But if it meant this, it would have come last in the list (compare Col 3:14...
Read full commentary →And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily , as to the Lord, and not unto men;
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.</strong> Paul universalizes the principle. "Whatsoever ye do" (<em>ho ean poiēte</em>, ὃ ἐὰν ποιῆτε) encompasses all work without exception. "Do it heartily" (<em>ek psychēs ergazesthe</em>, ἐκ ψυχῆς ἐργάζεσθε) literally means "work from the soul"—wholeheartedly, with full energy and commitment, not grudgingly or halfh...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17. take--**a different Greek word from that in Ep 6:13, 16; translate, therefore, "receive," "accept," namely, the helmet offered by the Lord, namely, "salvation" appropriated, as 1Th 5:8, "Helmet, the hope of salvation"; not an uncertain hope, but one that brings with it no shame of disappointment (Ro 5:5). It is subjoined to the shield of faith, as being its inseparable accompaniment (compare...
Read full commentary →Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.</strong> Paul provides ultimate motivation: divine reward. "Of the Lord ye shall receive" (<em>para Kyriou apolēmpsesthe</em>, παρὰ Κυρίου ἀπολήμψεσθε) promises future recompense from Christ. "The reward of the inheritance" (<em>tēn antapodosin tēs klēronomias</em>, τὴν ἀνταπόδοσιν τῆς κλ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**18. always--**Greek, "in every season"; implying opportunity and exigency (Col 4:2). Paul uses the very words of Jesus in Lu 21:36 (a Gospel which he quotes elsewhere, in undesigned consonance with the fact of Luke being his associate in travel, 1Co 11:23, &c.; 1Ti 5:18). Compare Lu 18:1; Ro 12:12; 1Th 5:17.
**with all--**that is, every kind of.
**prayer--**a sacred term for prayer in ge...
Read full commentary →But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.</strong> Paul warns both slaves (who might chafe under servitude) and masters (addressed in 4:1) that divine justice is impartial. "He that doeth wrong" (<em>ho adikonōn</em>, ὁ ἀδικῶν) refers to anyone—slave or master—acting unjustly. "Shall receive for the wrong" (<em>komisetai ho ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(25) **He that doeth wrong** is clearly here the master (see Ephesians 6:9), though, of course, the phrase cannot be limited to him.
**Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**19. for me--**a different Greek preposition from that in Ep 6:18; translate, therefore, "on my behalf."
**that I may open my mouth boldly--**rather, "that there may be given to me 'utterance,' or 'speech' in the opening of my mouth (when I undertake to speak; a formula used in set and solemn speech, Job 3:1; Da 10:16), so as with boldness to make known," &c. Bold plainness of speech was th...
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