Colossians: Alive In Christ Sýnishorn

In this section, Paul has been outlining the way that life in Christ shapes various relationships. Now he comes to slaves and slave owners. Slavery was very common in the ancient world, but it wasn’t the same kind of institution as the African slave trade that we normally think of – generally it was more varied and allowed for greater freedoms. The challenge for the believers in the early church was that if, as Paul argued, background and social status no longer mattered in Christ, what did that mean for slaves and slave owners? Should slaves revolt? Should slavery be abolished? Paul’s simple response is Christ-centred. His concern is that we live for Christ in the situation we’re in. He is more concerned about sanctification than social revolution (though there’s much here that implicitly undermines slavery as an institution – see Philemon). 

Accordingly, Paul looks at the slave– slave owner relationship through the lens of being in Christ. For instance, he tells the Christian slaves to be the very best slaves they can be (v. 23). They shouldn’t take advantage of their new status in Christ to avoid serving. Rather, they’re to obey ‘in everything’ (v. 22). And yet even outward obedience isn’t enough – it needs to be motivated by fear of the Lord and not just by seeking rewards from earthly masters. 

In reality, the slave is working for Christ, not their earthly master, and so their mind should be on the final inheritance coming on the last day (v. 24). Then, in 4:1 the slave owners are commanded to be just and fair in their treatment and not to misuse their power. Radically, here they’re told that they themselves are slaves with a ‘Master in heaven’. They’ll have to give an account of themselves to him. 

Whenever we find ourselves under authority, or with authority, such as in employee–employer or student– teacher relationships, we should always look at these relationships through Christ. The key question is always how we live for Christ in that relationship.

Reflection

1. Why is Paul concerned about the slaves' motivation here? How does motivation matter in what we do?

2. What does just and fair treatment (4:1, ESV) look like? How can you make sure you're doing that when you have authority over people?