Instruction to masters and servants (employees/employers) 11/7/2021

We continue in our study of Colossians, more specifically how our sanctification is reflected in our walk… our behavior toward one another and before a watching and broken world. We have looked at how our faith… our walk… is to operate in that most intimate of settings; our home.

• Between husband and wife
• Between parent and child
• And now, between servant and “master” Here, still, the context is the primarily the home. A servant would likely reside on the property or in the home. Their work would take place around or within the home. The most intimate and trusted servants would be responsible for maintaining the home, providing for the family and caring for the children and even managing the household wealth and finances

1. Col 3:22-4:1 “Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. 25 For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.”
2. Eph 6:5ff. “Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; 6 not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. 7 With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free. 9 And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.”
   1. “slaves”; most simply, those who are under authority. “Masters” most simply, those who exercise authority
      1. Both are “according to the flesh” or “on earth”; it is a temporal earthly hierarchy based upon debt or conquest or voluntary servitude, not a divinely appointed hierarchy.
         1. Work is divinely appointed; working as a slave or servant (or even an employee) is not.
         2. 1 Cor 7:20ff. “Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. 22 For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called.”
            1. As an aside, this gives us great insight into understanding God’s view of slavery/servitude
               1. Free is better than “not free”
               2. But one’s condition… slave or free, menial worker or white collar, is not material; not important; don’t make it a matter of your identity; don’t make it a matter of your worth… of your status
                  1. Remember the church at Corinth…status conscious. “I am of…”(Apollos, Paul, Peter, Christ)

• We are all both slave and freeman; freed by Christ… slave to Christ

1. But the admonition to servants is, while you are under temporal authority, to “obey”. And an obvious conclusion is that obedience is better than punishment and good service can lead to reward.
   1. Obey so you don’t get in trouble… even says “with fear and trembling”
   2. Obey so that you will be thought highly of

• Obey so that you will rise in rank and influence
  1. But is that the case here?

1. Col 3“not with external service, as those who merely please men”;      Eph 6 “not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers,”
   1. Don’t do it for temporal gain; don’t obey only when the higher ups are looking
2. Here, again, we may ask, “Do I obey even if I am asked to do something ungodly?”
   1. Same answer as before; Acts 5:27 “The high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”
3. What if my master/employer is just a horrible person? Just not a good guy?
   1. Peter provided an answer to that question in regards to a “substandard husband”; he brings similar counsel regarding a “substandard” master
      1. 1 Pet 2:18ff. “Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. 19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.”
         1. “unreasonable”; crooked, twisted
      2. All of what we have been talking about… enduring unjust authority… avoiding an improper understanding of our identity and value… being obedient to our earthly masters… is made possible because of  the truth of the next verses
         1. Col 3 “but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. 25 For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.”
         2. Eph 6 “with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; 6 not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. 7 With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.”
            1. Our service is rendered unto the Lord, as He is our true master
               1. The fear and trembling refers, not to fear of men, but fear of the Lord
               2. He is the one who rewards good works and brings consequence for wrongdoing; we work heartily, with sincerity of heart to please Him, knowing He watches over us
               3. He rewards and punishes with impartiality; not affected by your status or position of authority
               4. It completely changes are perceptions and attitudes
                  1. No question of “unfairness”
                  2. Elimination of frustration

• Freedom from worry

1. Simplicity of focus; working well, humbly and diligently

3. Instructions to masters
   1. Col 4:1 “Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.”
   2. Eph 6 “And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.”
      1. What is “the same things” Paul writes about?
         1. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.”
            1. Masters are in the same position as the servant. They render their service and exercise their authority and responsibility under the authority of Christ, their Lord and Master.
            2. They are to act with justice and fairness, setting aside threatening and harsh behavior and acting with compassion and gentleness.
               1. Again, this is equally true for all believers in authority
            3. In closing, let us remember the words that precede this entire section dealing with these specific relationships… husband and wife… parent and child… master and servant… Those words which form the foundation of all these instructions:
               1. Col 3:12ff. “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

Let us pray