Colossians 3

Colossians 3:18-25 . Wives, submit yourselves — Or be subject; to your own husbands — Whether they be Christians or heathen. See on Ephesians 5:22 . As it is fit — Both in regard of God’s command, and the evil that would arise from the neglect of this duty; in the Lord — In obedience to the Lord, and in all lawful things. Husbands, love your wives — As yourselves, and as Christ loved the church: see Ephesians 5:25 ; Ephesians 5:28 . And be not bitter — Harsh and rigorous, either in spirit, word, or deed; against them (Which may be the case without any manifest appearance of anger,) but kind and obliging. Children, obey your parents — See on Ephesians 6:1 ; in all things — Namely, lawful; for this is well-pleasing unto the Lord — The Lord Christ, who, when he dwelt in flesh, was a constant example of filial piety, not only to his real mother, but to him who was only his supposed father, Luke 2:51 . Fathers, provoke not your children — Deal not harshly or severely with them, so as to alienate their affections from you; lest they be discouraged — From attempting to please you, when it shall seem to be an impossible task. See on Ephesians 6:4 . Rigorous treatment may also occasion their becoming stupid.

Servants, obey in all things — That are lawful, 1 Peter 2:18 ; your masters according to the flesh — See on Ephesians 6:5 : Obey even their rigorous commands; not with eye-service — Being more attentive to their orders, and diligent, when under their eye, than at other times; as men- pleasers — As persons who are solicitous only to please men; but in singleness of heart — With a simple intention of pleasing God by doing right, without looking any further; fearing God — That is, acting from this principle. And whatsoever ye do — Whatever ye are employed in; do it heartily — Cheerfully, diligently; as to the Lord — Whose eye, you know, is upon you. Men-pleasers are soon dejected and made angry; the single- hearted are never displeased or disappointed, because they have another aim, which the good or evil treatment of those they serve cannot disappoint. Knowing that of the Lord (see on Ephesians 6:8 ) ye shall receive the reward, &c. — Be rewarded with the inheritance of eternal life. For ye serve the Lord Christ — Namely, in serving your masters according to his command. But he that doeth wrong — Whether master or servant; shall receive for the wrong, &c. — A just punishment.

{10} Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is {n} fit in the Lord. (10) He goes from precepts which concern the whole civil life of man, to precepts pertaining to every man's family, and requires of wives subjection in the Lord. (n) For those wives do poorly, that do not set God in Christ before them in their love; but this philosophy does not know.