Colossians 4 · Verse 1

Colossians 4:1

Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
Colossians 4:1, King James Version

Colossians 4:1 in other translations

BSBMasters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
WEBMasters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
ASVMasters, render unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
YLTThe masters! that which is righteous and equal to the servants give ye, having known that ye also have a Master in the heavens.
DARBYMasters, give to bondmen what is just and fair, knowing that ye also have a Master in the heavens.
BBEMasters, give your servants what is right and equal, conscious that you have a Master in heaven.
WebsterMasters, give to your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

What does Colossians 4:1 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

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.

1. give--Greek "render": literally, "afford." equal--that is, as the slaves owe their duties to you, so you equally owe to them your duties as masters. Compare "ye masters do the same things" (see on Ep 6:9). Alford translates, "fairness," "equity," which gives a large and liberal interpretation of justice in common matters (Phm 16). knowing--(Col 3:24). ye also--as well as they.

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 1. Masters, give unto your servants, etc. Eph 6:9. That which is just and equal. What they ought to have; what is fairly their due. The apostle here, probably, refers to bondmen or slaves--and the propriety of this rule is apparent. Such persons were subject to their masters' control; their time and services were at their disposal, and they could not enforce their just and equal claims by an appeal to the laws. They were, therefore, dependent on the equity and kindness of their masters. There can be no doubt that not a few who were converted to the Christian faith were held to involuntary servitude, 1Cor 7; and it is as clear that the apostles did not design to make a violent disruption of these bonds, or to lead the slaves to rise and murder their masters. 1Timm 6:1, also 1Timm 6:2-4. But it is equally clear that they meant to represent slavery as a hard and undesirable condition; that they intended to instruct the slaves to embrace the earliest opportunity to be free which was presented, 1Cor 7:21; and that they meant to suggest such considerations, and to lay down such principles, as would lead masters to emancipate their slaves, and thus ultimately to abolish it. Among these principles are such as these.

(1.) That all men were of one and the same blood, Acts 17:26.

(2.) That they were all redeemed by the same Saviour, and were brethren, 1Timm 6:2; Phm 1:16.

If redeemed; if they were "brethren", if they were heirs of glory, they were not "chattels," or "things": and how could a Christian conscientiously hold or regard them as property?

(3.) That they were to "render them that which was just and equal." What would follow from this if fairly applied? What would be just and equal to a man in those circumstances? Would it not be

(a.) to compensate him fairly for his labour--to furnish him an adequate remuneration for what he had earned? But this would strike a blow at the root of slavery--for one of the elementary principles of it is, that there must be "unrequited labour;" that is, the slave must earn as much more than he receives as will do his part in maintaining the master in idleness, for it is of the very essence of the system that he is to be maintained in indolence by the slaves which he owns --or just so far as he owns a slave. If he were disposed to earn his own living, he would not need the labour of slaves. No man ever yet became the permanent owner of a slave from benevolence to him, or because he desired to pay him fully for his work, or because he meant himself to work in order to maintain his slave in indolence.

(b.) If a man should in fact render to his slaves "that which is just and equal," would he not restore them to freedom? Have they not been deprived of their liberty by injustice, and would not "justice" restore it? What has the slave done to forfeit his liberty? If he should make him "equal" in rights to himself, or to what he is by nature, would he not emancipate him? Has he not been reduced to his present condition by withholding that which is "equal?" Has he "equal" rights, and "equal" privileges with other men? Has he not been cut off from them by denying him the equality to which he is entitled in the arrangements of God's government? Can he be held at all without violating all the just notions of equality? Though, therefore, it may be true that this passage only enjoins the rendering of that which was "just" and "equal" in their condition as slaves, yet it contains a principle which would "lay the axe at the root" of slavery, and would lead a conscientious Christian to the feeling that his slaves ought to be free. These principles actually effected the freedom of slaves in the Roman empire in a few centuries after Christianity was introduced, and they are destined to effect it yet all over the world.

Knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. Eph 6:9.

(a) "Masters" Eph 6:9

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Introduction

The duty of masters to their servants, Col 4:1. Continuance in prayer recommended, to which watchfulness and thanksgiving should be joined, Col 4:2. And to pray particularly for the success of the Gospel, Col 4:3, Col 4:4. Directions concerning walking wisely, redeeming of time, and godly conversation, Col 4:5, Col 4:6. He refers them to Tychicus and Onesimus, whom he sends to them for particulars relative to his present circumstances, Col 4:7-9. Mentions the salutations of several then at Rome, of whom he gives some interesting particulars, Col 4:10-14. Sends his own salutations to the brethren in Laodicea, and to Nymphas and the Church at his house, Col 4:15. Directs this epistle to be read in the Church of the Laodiceans, and that to them to be read at Colosse, Col 4:16. Directions to Archippus relative to his ministry, Col 4:17. Concludes with salutations to the people at Colosse, to whom he sends his apostolical benediction, Col 4:18. Verse 1 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 Col 4:2. That which is just and equal - As they are bondmen or slaves of whom the apostle speaks, we may at once see with what propriety this exhortation is given. The condition of slaves among the Greeks and Romans was wretched in the extreme; they could appeal to no law; and they could neither expect justice nor equity. The apostle, therefore, informs the proprietors of these slaves that they should act towards them both according to justice and equity; for God, their Master, required this of them, and would at last call them to account for their conduct in this respect. Justice and equity required that they should have proper food, proper raiment, due rest, and no more than moderate work. This is a lesson that all masters throughout the universe should carefully learn. Do not treat your servants as if God had made them of an inferior blood to yours.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
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.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Colossians 4:1 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
κύριοι,kurioiMasters,G2962
τὸtothat whichG3588
δίκαιονdikaion[is] righteousG1342
καὶkaiandG2532
τὴνtēnthat whichG3588
ἰσότηταisotēta[is] equalG2471
τοῖςtoisto theG3588
δούλοιςdouloisslavesG1401
παρέχεσθεparechesthedo giveG3930
εἰδότεςeidotesknowing
ὅτιhotithatG3754
καὶkaialsoG2532
ὑμεῖςhumeisyou yourselvesG4771
ἔχετεechetehaveG2192
κύριονkuriona MasterG2962
ἐνeninG1722
οὐρανῷ.¶ouranōheaven.G3772

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

Cross references for Colossians 4:1

  • Ephesians 6:8-20

    Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. …

  • Revelation 17:14

    These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

  • Deuteronomy 24:14-15

    Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates: At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the Lord, and it be sin unto thee.

  • James 2:13

    For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

  • Luke 16:1-13

    And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. …

  • Matthew 24:48-51

    But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

  • James 5:4

    Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.

  • Ecclesiastes 5:8

    If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.

  • Leviticus 25:39-43

    And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant: But as an hired servant, and as a sojourner, he shall be with thee, and shall serve thee unto the year of jubile: And then shall he depart from thee, both he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return. For they are my servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen. …

  • Luke 19:15

    And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

  • Revelation 19:16

    And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

  • Malachi 3:5

    And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1 He exhorts them to be fervent in prayer;
5 to walk wisely toward them that are not yet come to the true knowledge of Christ.
10 He salutes them, and wishes them all prosperity.

give.
Le 19:13; 25:39-43; De 15:12-15; 24:14,15; Ne 5:5-13; Job 24:11,12
Job 31:13-15; Isa 58:3,5-9; Jer 34:9-17; Mal 3:5; Jas 2:13; 5:4
ye.
Ec 5:8; Mt 23:8,9; 24:48-51; Lu 16:1-13; 19:15; Eph 6:8,9-20
Re 17:14; 19:16

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

Context

  • Colossians 4:1

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

  • Colossians 4:2

    Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

Read all of Colossians 4

Colossians 4:1 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		AMOS, haced lo que es justo y derecho con vuestros siervos, sabiendo que también vosotros tenéis amo en los cielos.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Maîtres, accordez à vos esclaves ce qui est juste et équitable, sachant que vous aussi vous avez un maître dans les cieux.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ihr Herren, gewähret euren Knechten, was recht und billig ist, da ihr wisset, daß auch ihr einen Herrn in den Himmeln habt.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Domini, quod justum est et æquum, servis præstate: scientes quod et vos Dominum habetis in cælo.