Colossians 4:1 - Meaning and Application

The apostle goes on to the duty of masters toward their servants. This could have been joined to the previous chapter, since it belongs to the same line of thought. He begins by saying that masters must act justly. “Give your servants what is right and fair” (Colossians 4:1). That means more than strict justice, it means fairness and kindness too.

They should keep their promises to their servants and honor their agreements. They must not cheat them out of what is due, or hold back wages by fraud, as James warns about the laborers’ pay (James 5:4). They should not ask more from servants than they can do, or place heavy loads on them that are beyond their strength. They should provide what is proper for them, including food and medical care when needed, and allow them reasonable rest or freedom that will help them serve willingly and make their work easier. This applies even when the servants do the lowest kind of work, or when they come from another country or follow a different religion.

There is a strong reason for this care: “You also have a Master in heaven.” Those who rule over others are under authority themselves. They are not masters over themselves, but servants of a higher Lord, and they must answer to him. They should treat their servants as they hope God will treat them, since they too must give an account. They and their servants are both under the same Lord, though they stand in different places here on earth. In the end, they are equally answerable to him, and with him there is no favoritism (Ephesians 6:9).