The Christian Home(A)

18 (B)Wives, submit to your own husbands, (C)as is fitting in the Lord.

19 (D)Husbands, love your wives and do not be (E)bitter toward them.

20 (F)Children, obey your parents (G)in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

21 (H)Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

22 (I)Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 (J)And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

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Family Relations

18 (A)Wives, (B)be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 (C)Husbands, love your wives and do not become bitter against them. 20 (D)Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing [a]to the Lord. 21 (E)Fathers, do not [b]antagonize your children, so that they will not become discouraged.

22 [c](F)Slaves, obey those who are your [d]human masters in everything, (G)not with [e]eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your work [f]heartily, (H)as for the Lord and not for people,

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 3:20 Lit in
  2. Colossians 3:21 Or provoke to anger
  3. Colossians 3:22 I.e., slaves in first-century Roman culture
  4. Colossians 3:22 Lit masters according to flesh
  5. Colossians 3:22 I.e., working only when watched
  6. Colossians 3:23 Lit from the soul

Family Relations

18 Wives, be [a]subject to your husbands [out of respect for their position as protector, and their accountability to God], as is proper and [b]fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives [with an affectionate, sympathetic, selfless love that always seeks the best for them] and do not be embittered or resentful toward them [because of the responsibilities of marriage]. 20 Children, obey your parents [as God’s representatives] in all things, for this [attitude of respect and obedience] is well-pleasing [c]to the Lord [and will bring you God’s promised blessings]. 21 Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or exasperate your children [with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by favoritism or indifference; treat them tenderly with lovingkindness], so they will not lose heart and become discouraged or unmotivated [with their spirits broken].

22 Servants, in everything obey those who are your masters on earth, not only with external service, as those who merely please people, but with sincerity of heart because of your fear of the Lord. 23 Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men,

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 3:18 The wife is to submit voluntarily to her husband (not to men in general); not as inferior to him, nor in violation of her Christian ethics, but honoring her husband’s responsibilities and authority as head of the household.
  2. Colossians 3:18 I.e. not in conflict with Scripture.
  3. Colossians 3:20 Lit in, as “in the Lord’s presence.”

Instructions for Christian Households(A)

18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands,(B) as is fitting in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

21 Fathers,[a] do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 3:21 Or Parents

18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God;

23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

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