Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. New Living Translation Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master—in heaven. English Standard Version Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. Berean Standard Bible Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven. Berean Literal Bible Masters, give to the slaves that which is righteous and that which is equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. King James Bible Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. New King James Version Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. New American Standard Bible Masters, grant your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. NASB 1995 Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven. NASB 1977 Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven. Legacy Standard Bible Masters, show to your slaves what is right and fair, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven. Amplified Bible Masters, [on your part] deal with your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. Christian Standard Bible Masters, deal with your slaves justly and fairly, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven. Holman Christian Standard Bible Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven. American Standard Version Masters, render unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. Contemporary English Version Slave owners, be fair and honest with your slaves. Don't forget that you have a Master in heaven. English Revised Version Masters, render unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. GOD'S WORD® Translation Masters, be just and fair to your slaves because you know that you also have a master in heaven. Good News Translation Masters, be fair and just in the way you treat your slaves. Remember that you too have a Master in heaven. International Standard Version Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. Majority Standard Bible Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven. NET Bible Masters, treat your slaves with justice and fairness, because you know that you also have a master in heaven. New Heart English Bible Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. Webster's Bible Translation Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. Weymouth New Testament Masters, deal justly and equitably with your slaves, knowing that you too have a Master in Heaven. World English Bible Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThe masters: give that which is righteous and equal to the servants, having known that you also have a Master in the heavens. Berean Literal Bible Masters, give to the slaves that which is righteous and that which is equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. Young's Literal Translation The masters! that which is righteous and equal to the servants give ye, having known that ye also have a Master in the heavens. Smith's Literal Translation Lords, render ye to servants Justice and equality; knowing that ye also have a Lord in the heavens. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleMasters, do to your servants that which is just and equal: knowing that you also have a master in heaven. Catholic Public Domain Version You masters, supply your servants with what is just and equitable, knowing that you, too, have a Master in heaven. New American Bible Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, realizing that you too have a Master in heaven. New Revised Standard Version Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, for you know that you also have a Master in heaven. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleMASTERS, do to your servants that which is just and fair; knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. Aramaic Bible in Plain English Masters, practice equality and justice with your Servants and be aware that you also have a Master in Heaven. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentMasters, give to your servants what is just and equal, for you know that you have a Master in heaven. Godbey New Testament Masters, award unto the servants that which is right and equal; knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. Haweis New Testament MASTERS, afford to your servants that which is just, and an equivalent, knowing that ye also have a Master in the heavens. Mace New Testament as for you, masters, give to your servants what is just and suitable: considering that you also have a master in heaven. Weymouth New Testament Masters, deal justly and equitably with your slaves, knowing that you too have a Master in Heaven. Worrell New Testament Masters, render justice and equity to your servants, knowing that ye also have a Master in Heaven. Worsley New Testament and ye masters, render to your servants justice and equity, knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Fellow Workers1 Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven. 2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful,… Cross References Ephesians 6:9 And masters, do the same for your slaves. Give up your use of threats, because you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him. Philemon 1:16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord. James 5:4 Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts. Matthew 7:12 In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets. Luke 6:31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 1 Timothy 6:1-2 All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited. / Those who have believing masters should not show disrespect because they are brothers, but should serve them all the more, since those receiving their good service are beloved believers. Teach and encourage these principles. 1 Peter 2:18-20 Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but even to those who are unreasonable. / For if anyone endures the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God, this is to be commended. / How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Romans 2:11 For God does not show favoritism. 1 Corinthians 7:22 For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman. Conversely, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave. Deuteronomy 24:14-15 Do not oppress a hired hand who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. / You are to pay his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and depends on them. Otherwise he may cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin. Leviticus 19:13 You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. You must not withhold until morning the wages due a hired hand. Proverbs 22:2 The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is Maker of them all. Job 31:13-15 If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or maidservant when they made a complaint against me, / what will I do when God rises to judge? How will I answer when called to account? / Did not He who made me in the womb also make them? Did not the same One form us in the womb? Malachi 3:5 “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts. Treasury of Scripture Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. give. Leviticus 19:13 Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning. Leviticus 25:39-43 And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant: … Deuteronomy 15:12-15 And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee… ye. Ecclesiastes 5:8 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they. Matthew 23:8,9 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren… Matthew 24:48-51 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; … Jump to Previous Bondmen Conscious Deal Equal Fair Fairly Fairness Grant Heaven Heavens Justice Justly Master Masters Provide Render Right Righteous Servants Slaves TreatJump to Next Bondmen Conscious Deal Equal Fair Fairly Fairness Grant Heaven Heavens Justice Justly Master Masters Provide Render Right Righteous Servants Slaves TreatColossians 4 1. He exhorts them to be fervent in prayer;5. to walk wisely toward those who are not yet come to the true knowledge of Christ. 10. He salutes them, and wishes them all prosperity. Masters, In the Roman world, masters had significant authority over their slaves. The term "masters" here refers to those in positions of authority, particularly in a household or business context. This reflects the social structure of the time, where slavery was a common institution. The Bible addresses masters directly, indicating their responsibility and accountability before God. supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven. Persons / Places / Events 1. MastersIn the context of the Roman Empire, masters were those who owned slaves and had authority over them. Paul addresses them directly, urging them to treat their slaves justly. 2. Slaves Individuals who were under the authority of masters. In the early Christian church, slaves were part of the congregation and were often addressed in the epistles. 3. Paul The apostle who wrote the letter to the Colossians. He was instrumental in spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles and establishing early Christian communities. 4. Colossae A city in Phrygia, Asia Minor, where the church to whom Paul wrote this letter was located. 5. Master in Heaven Refers to God, who is the ultimate authority over all, including earthly masters. Teaching Points Justice and FairnessAs Christians, we are called to act justly and fairly in all our dealings, recognizing that we are accountable to God for how we treat others. Accountability to God Earthly authority is temporary and subject to the ultimate authority of God. This should influence how we exercise any power or leadership we have. Equality in Christ In Christ, social distinctions such as master and slave are transcended. We are all equal before God and should treat each other with respect and love. Christian Leadership True Christian leadership involves serving others and ensuring their well-being, reflecting the servant leadership of Christ. Reflecting Christ's Love Our interactions with others should reflect the love and grace we have received from Christ, promoting peace and unity.IV. (1) Just and equal.--The word "equal," or, rather, the substantive so translated, has the sense either of "equity" or "equality." The former is far commoner (especially in connection with justice), and probably all that is intended here. At the same time, the idea running through the passage is of a common fellow-service to Christ of all alike, and in Colossians 3:11 we are reminded that "in Christ Jesus there is neither bond nor free." Perhaps, therefore, St. Paul desired that his readers should remember that in some points all are literally equal before God. Verse 1. - (See Ch 3.) |
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