Col 3:18-4:1 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Col 3:18-4:1: 3:18–4:1 This series of exhortations is called a household code. Paul gives instructions to wives (3:18 ), husbands (3:19 ), children (3:20 ), fathers (3:21 ), slaves (3:22-25 ), and masters (4:1 ). Such codes appear in Greco-Roman writers and elsewhere in the New Testament (see Eph 5:22–6:9 ; 1 Pet 2:18–3:7 ). 3:18 To submit is to recognize one’s place under someone else in a social order. Such submission always implies that God is at the top and that his will is paramount (cp. Acts 4:19-20 ; 5:29 ).

Summary for Col 3:18-4:1: 3:18–4:1 ^a This series of exhortations is called a household code. Paul gives instructions to wives (3:18 ^b), husbands (3:19 ^c), children (3:20 ^d), fathers (3:21 ^e), slaves (3:22-25 ^f), and masters (4:1 ^g). Such codes appear in Greco-Roman writers and elsewhere in the New Testament (see Eph 5:22–6:9 ^h; 1 Pet 2:18–3:7 ⁱ). 3:18 ^j To submit is to recognize one’s place under someone else in a social order. Such submission always implies that God is at the top and that his will is paramount (cp. Acts 4:19-20 ^k; 5:29 ^l).
3:19 ^m The exhortation to wives to submit to their husbands is immediately followed by a command to the husbands to love their wives (see also Eph 5:25-30 ⁿ; 1 Pet 3:7 ^o).
Summary for Col 3:22-24: 3:22-24 ^p Slaves have earthly masters whom they must obey. Slavery was central to the life and economy of the ancient world, and the New Testament never attacks the practice as such. However, Christian faith establishes relationships that change the nature of the social structure (see Phlm 1:15-16 ^q).

• and that the Master you are serving is Christ: All Christians, both slave and free, serve a higher Master, whose will is paramount.

‏ Colossians 4:1

4:1 ^r Masters: Christian slave owners had to recognize that they, too, were slaves bound to obey Jesus Christ, their Master in heaven who treats all people with dignity and grace.