Colossians 3 · Verse 22

Colossians 3:22

Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
Colossians 3:22, King James Version

Colossians 3:22 in other translations

BSBSlaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord.
WEBServants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God.
ASVServants, 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:
YLTThe 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;
DARBYBondmen, obey in all things your masters according to flesh; not with eye-services, as men-pleasers, but in simplicity of heart, fearing the Lord.
BBEServants, 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:
WebsterServants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

What does Colossians 3:22 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
22. (Ep 6:5, 6.) This is to fear God, when, though none sees us, we do no evil: but if we do evil, it is not God, but men, whom we fear. singleness--"simplicity of heart." fearing God--The oldest manuscripts read, "the Lord."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 22. Servants, obey in all things, etc. Eph 6:5, also Eph 6:6-8.

(i) "obey" 1Pet 2:18

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 22 Servants, obey - See on Eph 6:5-8 (note).

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Colossians 3:18-25

The epistles most taken up in displaying the glory of the Divine grace, and magnifying the Lord Jesus, are the most particular in pressing the duties of the Christian life. We must never separate the privileges and duties of the gospel. Submission is the duty of wives. But it is submission, not to a severe lord or stern tyrant, but to her own husband, who is engaged to affectionate duty. And husbands must love their…

Read the full comment on Colossians 3:18-25 →

Colossians 3:22 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΟἱHoiyou who [are]G3588
δοῦλοι,douloiSlaves,G1401
ὑπακούετεhupakouetedo obeyG5219
κατὰkatainG2596
πάνταpantaall thingsG3956
τοῖςtoistheG3588
κατὰkataaccording toG2596
σάρκαsarkafleshG4561
κυρίοις,kurioismasters,G2962
μὴmēnotG3361
ἐνenwithG1722
ὀφθαλμοδουλίᾳophthalmodouliaeye-serviceG3787
ὡςhōsasG5613
ἀνθρωπάρεσκοιanthrōpareskoimen-pleasersG441
ἀλλ᾽all᾽butG235
ἐνeninG1722
ἁπλότητιhaplotētisincerityG572
καρδίαςkardiasof heartG2588
φοβούμενοιphoboumenoifearingG5399
τὸνtontheG3588
κύριον.kurionLord.G2962

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Colossians 3:22

  • Ephesians 6:5-7

    Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

  • Galatians 1:10

    For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

  • 1 Timothy 6:1-2

    Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. And 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 Peter 2:18-19

    Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

  • Titus 2:9-10

    Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:4

    But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

  • Colossians 3:20

    Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

  • Luke 6:46

    And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

  • Ecclesiastes 5:7

    For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.

  • Acts 2:46

    And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

  • Matthew 6:22

    The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

  • 2 Corinthians 7:1

    Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
obey.
20; Ps 123:2; Mal 1:6; Mt 8:9; Lu 6:46; 7:8; Eph 6:5-7; 1Ti 6:1,2
Tit 2:9,10; Phm 1:16; 1Pe 2:18,19
menpleasers.
Ga 1:10; 1Th 2:4
in singleness.
Mt 6:22; Ac 2:46; Eph 6:5
fearing.
Ge 42:18; Ne 5:9,15; Ec 5:7; 8:12; 12:13; 2Co 7:1

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Colossians 3:21

    Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

  • Colossians 3:22

    Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

  • Colossians 3:23

    And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Read all of Colossians 3

Colossians 3:22 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Siervos, obedeced en todo á vuestros amos carnales, no sirviendo al ojo, como los que agradan á los hombres, sino con sencillez de corazón, temiendo á Dios:
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Esclaves, obéissez en toutes choses à vos maîtres selon la chair, ne servant pas sous leurs yeux seulement, comme voulant plaire aux hommes, mais en simplicité de cœur, craignant le Seigneur.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ihr Knechte, gehorchet in allem euren Herren nach dem Fleische, nicht in Augendienerei, als Menschengefällige, sondern in Einfalt des Herzens, den Herrn fürchtend.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Servi, obedite per omnia dominis carnalibus, non ad oculum servientes, quasi hominibus placentes, sed in simplicitate cordis, timentes Deum.