Colossians 4:1
◄  Colossians 4:1  ►
New International Version (©2011)
Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

New Living Translation (©2007)
Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master--in heaven.

English Standard Version (©2001)
Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven.

International Standard Version (©2012)
Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

NET Bible (©2006)
Masters, treat your slaves with justice and fairness, because you know that you also have a master in heaven.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
Masters, practice equality and justice with your Servants and be aware that you also have a Master in Heaven.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Masters, be just and fair to your slaves because you know that you also have a master in heaven.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

American King James Version
Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

American Standard Version
Masters, render unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Masters, do to your servants that which is just and equal: knowing that you also have a master in heaven.

Darby Bible Translation
Masters, give to bondmen what is just and fair, knowing that ye also have a Master in the heavens.

English Revised Version
Masters, render unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

Webster's Bible Translation
Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

Weymouth New Testament
Masters, deal justly and equitably with your slaves, knowing that you too have a Master in Heaven.

World English Bible
Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Young's Literal Translation
The masters! that which is righteous and equal to the servants give ye, having known that ye also have a Master in the heavens.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

4:1 The apostle proceeds with the duty of masters to their servants. Not only justice is required of them, but strict equity and kindness. Let them deal with servants as they expect God should deal with themselves.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Masters, give unto your servants,.... This verse properly belongs to the preceding chapter, with which it should have been concluded. It is indeed strange, that those who made the division of chapters and verses should separate this from the former chapter, to which it so manifestly belongs, and begin a new one with it, when it has no connection with what follows; for the apostle having observed the duty of servants to their masters, proceeds to direct masters to the discharge of their duty to their servants, by giving them

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Vincent's Word Studies

Masters, etc.

The best texts attach this verse to the preceding chapter.

Render (παρέχεσθε)

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Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Masters, give unto your servants ... - See the notes at Ephesians 6:9.

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Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Masters, give unto your servants - This verse should have been added to the preceding, to which it properly belongs; and this chapter should have begun with Colossians 4:2.

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Geneva Study Bible

Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

People's New Testament

4:1 Final Exhortation

SUMMARY OF COLOSSIANS 4:

A Charge to Masters. Prayer and Prudence Commended. Tychicus, the Bearer of the Letter, Introduced. Onesimus Commended. Greetings from Brethren at Rome. The Epistle of the Laodiceans.

Masters, give to your servants. See notes on Eph 6:9. This verse ought to have been joined to the section of the preceding chapter in which mutual duties are enjoined. It should be remarked that such a charge as this is not found in all the profane writings of antiquity. Even in the pages of the moralists a slave was regarded as a chattel with which the master had a right to deal according to his will. The Christian rule, at once introduced into the church, was for the master to treat his servants as he wished to be treated by his Master in heaven, and to expect the same kind of treatment that he meted out.

Wesley's Notes

4:1 Just - According to your contract. Equitable - Even beyond the letter of your contract.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 4

Col 4:1-18. Exhortations Continued. To Prayer: Wisdom in Relation to the Unconverted: As to the Bearers of the Epistle, Tychicus and Onesimus: Closing Salutations.

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Colossians 4:1 Parallel Commentaries
Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible


Fellow Workers
1 Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. 2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 3 With praying also for us, that God would open to us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: …

Leviticus 25:43 Do not rule over them ruthlessly, but fear your God.
Ephesians 6:9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.