IT is noticeable that the Spirit of God gives similar instructions as to the relationships of life in Colossians as here; though not with the same fullness, nor quite upon the same lines. The latter is especially to be seen in the word to children: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right” (just). So reads Ephesians: but in Colossians the apostle merely states, “for this is well-pleasing unto the Lord.” Was the variation because of the legal tendencies of the latter? From the forms &c., which had such attraction for their brethren at Colosse, the Ephesians were apparently quite clear, through grace; therefore the apostle was free to say “this is just,” without fear of the word being misapplied by them.
Everywhere in scripture is filial obedience pressed; and the Lord Himself in the home at Nazareth has left an example which should be studied (Luke 2:5151And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. (Luke 2:51)). Disobedience to parents is one of the unhappy moral signs of the last days (2 Tim. 3:22For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (2 Timothy 3:2)), as also absence of natural affection; elements painfully and increasingly apparent on every hand. But the obedience must be “in the Lord “; all obedience having this important qualification. A heathen parent might bid his child sacrifice to idols: must he obey? Where the express will of God is crossed, such can only answer as Peter and John to the priests who bade them preach no more in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:19; 5:2919But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. (Acts 4:19)
29Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)). Nothing and no one must be allowed to come in between the conscience and God.
Some have found difficulty in the Spirit's use of the fifth commandment in this place, as apparently sanctioning the placing of Christians under the law. This is not so, for the word of God never contradicts itself. Christians have been delivered from the law by the body of Christ, having died to that wherein they were held; and have a new and higher standard set before them for walk below, even a heavenly Christ. To turn back to law is to build again the things we have destroyed, to place ourselves under the curse, to be removed from Him Who called us in the grace of Christ unto another gospel. But what the apostle shows here is that God has always insisted on due honor and obedience being rendered to parents, under the law as truly as under Christianity; so important, indeed, is it with Him, that Jehovah added a promise to the commandment (the first with such an attachment) “that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest live long on the earth.” This is stated to show what the promise was; strictly, of course, in keeping with the calling of Israel. The Christian is called to heavenly blessing; he expects trial and difficulty, and perhaps persecution, in this world; though it is not denied that there is present blessing in the government of God for those who do His will.
Fathers are next addressed. “Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Discipline is necessary, and cannot safely be dispensed with (does our Father train us without it?); but it must be wise to be good. It is unhappy to alienate the affections of the children by unnecessary rigor; parental influence is thus lost, and not easily regained. Faith regards the family as a precious charge from the Lord, and delights to lay hold of the word, “train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:66Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)). Is not Timothy a bright example, and encouragement to faith (2 Tim. 3:1515And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:15))?
Some have found fault with the exhortations of verses 5-8, saying that they sanction or encourage slavery. The objection is groundless. God does not sanction such a principle; but it has come in among men, as many other things, as a result of sin; and while not interfering at all with the framework of society (which awaits its rectification till Christ comes), He legislates for His own saints, who may find themselves in these relationships.
What can be wiser or more comforting to the Christian slave than the word in 1 Cor. 7:20-2420Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. 21Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. 22For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. 23Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. 24Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God. (1 Corinthians 7:20‑24)? If such yearned for their liberty, that they might serve the Lord more fully, they are told not to make a care of it, and are assured that “he that is called in the Lord being a servant (slave) is the Lord's freed-man;” while on the other hand, “he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant” (or slave). Here (Eph. 6) such are told to be “obedient to their masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart as unto Christ.” Did they serve unreasonable and tyrannical men? How elevating and sustaining then to look beyond the man to the Lord, “knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.” If the reward fail here, it will assuredly be seen at the judgment-seat of Christ. Christians are not called to reform the world while passing through it; but to acquit themselves becomingly, as heavenly men, in the midst of it all. The principles here laid down though addressed to slaves, apply with equal force to employed servants. Eyeservice, men pleasing, is abominable to the Lord; the rather is it His will that service be rendered heartily, and all done in the name of the Lord Jesus. What a view of our hearts we get, that we should need such a word!
In 1 Tim. 6:22And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. (1 Timothy 6:2) the apostle adds on this subject another word of particular importance. “And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren, &c.” The Spirit of God knows how prone the human heart is to take advantage of such circumstances: it is natural to the heart to be radical. But the believer is to eschew the ways and habits of men, and walk according to God. In the assembly of God, at the Lord's table, the believing master and servant are brethren, and members of one body, outside relationships having no place there; but in the shop or on the farm it is otherwise, and we do well not to forget it.
Masters are then exhorted, and reminded that their Master is in heaven; “neither is there respect of persons with Him.” He notes threatening and oppression: the cry of the poor and needy comes up in His ears, and He will requite it in the coming day. This verse should read, I believe, “their Master and yours is in [the] heavens;” which gives an added point of importance: both master and servant are responsible to the one Lord, and will stand together at the same judgment-seat.