Colossians 3:22
What does Colossians 3:22 mean?
A plain-English look at Colossians 3:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Colossians 3:22 means
“Servants, obey in all things them that are your masters according to the flesh.” Paul addresses those in servitude within the Greco-Roman household. He calls for sincere, comprehensive obedience—not mere “eye-service” designed to impress when watched, nor the behavior of “men-pleasers” seeking human approval—but work done with “singleness of heart, fearing the Lord.” By reorienting servitude toward the Lord, Paul dignifies the laborer’s task and conscience. Integrity in work becomes an act of worship. While not here addressing the justice of the institution, he transforms the servant’s perspective: God sees, weighs motives, and receives faithful labor as service to Himself.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Servants, obey in all things them that are your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Servants, obey in all things them that are your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Servants, in all things do the orders of your natural masters; not only when their eyes are on you, as pleasers of men, but with all your heart, fearing the Lord:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The servants! obey in all things those who are masters according to the flesh, not in eye-service as men-pleasers, but in simplicity of heart, fearing God;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh: not serving to the eye, as pleasing men: but in simplicity of heart, fearing God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Bondmen, obey in all things your masters according to flesh; not with eye-services, as men-pleasers, but in simplicity of heart, fearing the Lord.
Context
After instructing children and fathers (verses 20–21), Paul turns to servants (verse 22), a significant part of ancient households. He reframes their work under the fear of the Lord, not the gaze of men. Verses 23–24 will expand this principle to all work as service to Christ with the promise of inheritance, remarkable language for those without earthly inheritance. Verse 25 will close with a warning of impartial judgment on wrongdoing, balancing the encouragement with accountability for all parties.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 7:1
Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
- Nehemiah 5:9
Also I said, The thing that ye do is not good: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God, because of the reproach of the nations our enemies?
- Luke 6:46
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
- 1 Timothy 6:1
Let as many as are servants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine be not blasphemed.
- Nehemiah 5:15
But the former governors that were before me were chargeable unto the people, and took of them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.
- Philemon 1:16
no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
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