The grass withers, the f lower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.

Isaiah 40:8

Take Christ to Work

Colossians 3:22-4:1

Volition: Genesis 2:15-17

Marriage: Genesis 2:18-25

Family: Genesis 1:28

Labor: Genesis 2:4-9, 15

Government: Genesis 9:6

Colossians 3:18-4:1

Rom 13:1-7; 1 Pt 2:13-15

Wives submit to your husbands: pictures Christ submitting to the Father in the Trinity

Husbands love your wives: pictures Christ’s love for the Church

Children obey your parents: pictures sanctification

The Mandate, 3:22

The Manner, 3:23

The Motivation, 3:24-25

The Mercy, 4:1

Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Colossians 3:22

Slave (δουλος) Bondservant: Luke 1:38, a person who commits himself

to another for service for a period of time.

Don’t come to the text with presuppositions

Slave = employee

Live in God’s will no matter your circumstance, 1 Corinthians 7:21-24

Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Colossians 3:22

… in all things obey (ὑπακουω hypakouō present active imperative), standard procedure is obedience.

… not with external service (eye-service KJV, more literal ὀφθαλμοδουλια)

… with sincerity of heart: generously (2 Cor 8:1-3)

… fearing the Lord (φοβουμενοι phoboumenoi present participle), continual fear of the Lord Colossians 1:15-17, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, Colossians 3:23

Whatever you do… whatever your job is, do it well. Every area of our lives should be submitted to the Lord

… do your work (ἐργαζεσθε present middle imperative), this is for your own good … heartily, literally from the soul/life (ψυχη)

… as for the Lord rather than for men

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, Colossians 3:23

A picture of submission to the Spirit

All people have a debt, Romans 1-3

The debt can only be paid through faith, Romans 4-5

We can only be sanctified through submission to the Spirit, Romans 6-8 Baptism of the Spirit, Romans 6:1-11

Submit to the Spirit, Romans 6: 12-19 Obedience from the heart, 6:17-18

You are not the person you were before justification

… knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. Colossians 3:24-25

Knowing (εἰδοτες present participle), continually know, always keep in mind the Lord has a reward

Will receive (ἀπολαμβανω, future middle indicative), 2 John 8

Reward: an earned reward, only use in the NT

… knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. Colossians 3:24-25

… who does wrong (ἀδικεω adikeō: acts unjustly) Laziness at work is unjust behavior, you owe it to your

boss

Used of Onesimus, Philemon 17-18

You will reap what you sow, Galatians 6:6-10

Christians after the Rapture Bema Seat; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, 2 Corinthians 5:10,

Romans 14:10, 2 John 8; Revelation 22:12

Jewish people after the Tribulation Passing Under the Rod; Ezekiel 20:33-38; Daniel 12:1-3

Gentiles following the Tribulation Sheep and the Goats; Matthew 25:31-46

Unbelievers from all time Great White Throne Judgment; Revelation 20:11-15

Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.

Colossians 4:1

Grant (παρεχω parechō, present middle imperative) This is something that will benefit you, Proverbs 29:21

Word order Masters, justice and fairness to your slaves grant…

… knowing (continually keeping in mind)

The Mandate, 3:22

The Manner, 3:23

The Motivation, 3:24-25

The Mercy, 4:1