By James Riley Strange, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Religion, Samford University
Life at Work
Colossians 3:22–4:1
Today’s passage comes in a section of Colossians that is similar to the passage in Ephesians we read last week. This type of instruction is called a “household code” and we find it in books written by Greek and Roman writers as well. These passages reveal some important realities of Paul’s world. The first is that many Romans considered the household to be the building block of their society, in which all other relationships (social, political and even divine) reflected the household’s hierarchy and the duties that members had toward one another: the subordinate members to the dominant ones and the dominant to the subordinate. The second reality is that slaves were members of the household. Hence “household” and “kin” were not synonyms.
This is a difficult passage, for we want Paul to tell Christian slave owners to release their slaves and to condemn altogether the institution of slavery, upon which the Roman economy and educational system depended. Unlike former slaves in Alabama, Roman slaves could expect to be released, but similar to Alabama before emancipation, Romans practiced chattel slavery. Roman slave owners had unimpeded access to their slaves — they could have sex with them, beat them and kill them if they wished. “Chattel” and “cattle” come from the same root. Roman slaves were movable property.
How then do Christians in Alabama read this passage? First we acknowledge slavery still exists. You may know someone who ministers to people who have been trafficked or you may be involved in such a ministry yourself. In light of that knowledge, we say Paul’s instructions do not pertain to the enslaved. Rather, Jesus proclaimed the release of the captive, which we understand to mean the abolishment of slavery. Similarly we say that people who work in conditions in which supervisors or the system itself treats them unjustly have the right to change their situations.
Throughout the passage the same Greek word is translated as “master” and “Lord.” Paul is saying that the Lord — Jesus — is master of both the subordinate and the dominant person.
Do your work with integrity and dependability to those over you. (3:22)
The one to be feared is not the earthly lord, or one in authority, but our heavenly Lord. In Proverbs 1:7 the phrase “fear of the Lord” is equated with knowing God. It is not terror but an understanding of God and of God’s desire for righteousness. Three times Paul refers to himself as the Lord’s slave at the start of a letter (usually translated “servant;” see Rom. 1:1; Phil. 1:1; Titus 1:1). We all are enslaved either to sin and death or to Christ. Being slaves of Christ requires that we, like Christ, surrender our wills to God’s will (see Phil. 2:5–8; Rom. 5:18–19). Dependability and integrity, therefore, are not merely virtues; rather they reveal our willing subordination to God.
Do your work enthusiastically for Christ. (3:23–25)
It is natural to want to please those in authority. If, however, we perform our tasks for the Lord, we might end up displeasing our earthly masters. Indeed, dependability and integrity might demand it. Verse 22 should be read in light of verse 23.
Do what is right and just as Christ does with you. (4:1)
The injunction for earthly masters to treat their slaves justly and fairly is built on the idea in 3:25 that “there is no partiality” (i.e. with God). Humans may place a value on whether or not they are in a position of dominance but God doesn’t. We will all be judged by the same standard.
Share with others: