The Pulpit Commentary — Colossians — Section 198

Vers. 22-25.-Religious regulations for master and servant. The length of the paragraph on this topic is probably partly the result of Paul's having then and there so much to do with Onesimus, the runaway slave whom he was sending ha.ck to his master. "Bought and adopted and in Christ a brother; claimed and complete\i, and in Christ a man." But besides this personal reason, Paul must have felt -that there was, in the state of the Colossian society of the time, an urgent need for_ this lengthy and detailed description of duty. And is there not now? Are not masters and servants in England failing in their reciprocal duties very largely because they are expecting, as Dr. Chalmers said, "universal selfishness to do the work of universal love"? Therefore we may well notice-- L THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A TRUE SERVANT'S SERVICE, It is •marked by: 1. Obedience. Engaged for given duties, do them. Refusal to do them, neglect in doing thern, is immoral, irreligious, You cannot be a good Christian and a bad servant. 2. Thoroughness. Not "eye-service." This happy expression is probably the apostle's coinage. It describes obedience that is superficial, inconstant, hollow. 3, Simplicity of motive. "Singleness of heart." Not having two purposes nor secondary aims. 4. Earnestness. "Do it heartily." Whatsoever ye do, work at it. The lazy and lethargic are repulsive, the enthusiastic are noble. II. THE CIIARACTEB.ISTICS OF A TRUE MASTER'S MASTERSHIP, The duties of a master are as clearly enforced as those of the servant, "The same light attempers various colours; so the same principle regulates various duties." There is claimed from the master: 1. Justice. That is, what the law demands, what is legally right and square. There is, however, much more, 2. Equity. "What is equal." Equity is more than law, more than legal claim. It is a. liberal interpretation of justice in common matters; a response to the intuition of what is right, even though no law defined it or enforced it. It was this teaching about equity that was really the insertion of the leaven that has destroyed slavery in Christendom. What is the touchstone of this equity? Surely this golden rule, "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even the same to them likewise." ill THE MOTIVES BOTH OF TBUE SERVICE AND OF TRUE MABTERBHIP. The motives put before both masters and servants are two. 1. They both sustain a common relation- ship to Glwist. (1) All are his servants. Servants, "Ye serve the Lord Christ;" masters "Ye also have a Master in heaven," (2) All work is done .in his sight. 'l'herefo~e do it "fearing God." , (3) All may be done for his glory. "There is _no respect of per~ons." 2. Christ_ will_ 1·ightly deal out r~tribution and rew_ard. With Christ is "the reward of the inheritance." From Chnst men shall receive for "the wrong which they have done." Our conclusion is: I. Cherish a Christian ambition to serve well. 2. Cherish a Christian ambition to rule well.-U. R. T. ,,ers. I--4.-Present privileges: future glory. ~he apostle !30W proceeds to t~e application of the grand truths he has been expoundrn~. Note m what~ l~fty strain he begins. As in the previous section he refutes practical errors by remmdmg of the sublimest doctrines, so here, before giving exhortations_ ~n special sins a~d ?-u~ies, l~e bteeks to lift the Colossians to the heights of that new spmtual, heavenly hfe 1t 1s their pririlc;;e to live. (Like a commander encouraging his troops in tho field to u111intai.r OH, III, 1-25,] THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS. 195