Biblion Bible Commentary
Read the introduction to Colossians · About this commentary
Masters, and Continue in Prayer
Colossians 4:1-2
1 Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. · WEB
Masters are told they have a Master — and the household code ends by handing everyone the same posture.
Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal. The second word is the striking one: not merely lawful but equal, a term of fairness rather than of legal minimum. A master who gave only what the law required would fall short of this sentence.
And the reason removes the ground he might stand on: knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. The same word is used of him as of them. In a code that has just told slaves they serve the Lord Christ Colossians 3:24, master and slave are now shown to have the same employer, and only one of them outranks the other permanently.
That is where the household code ends. Every pair has been addressed, and in each the party with power received the sharper instruction.
Verse 2 then turns to the whole church with three words about prayer. Continue steadfastly — the verb for persisting at something and not letting go. Watching in it — staying awake, which the Lord asked of men who could not Matthew 26:41. And with thanksgiving, which is the fifth time gratitude appears in this letter.
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