Family Relations

18 (A)Wives, (B)be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 (C)Husbands, love your wives and do not become bitter against them. 20 (D)Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing [a]to the Lord. 21 (E)Fathers, do not [b]antagonize your children, so that they will not become discouraged.

22 [c](F)Slaves, obey those who are your [d]human masters in everything, (G)not with [e]eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your work [f]heartily, (H)as for the Lord and not for people, 24 (I)knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward [g]of (J)the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you (K)serve. 25 For (L)the one who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and [h](M)that without partiality.

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Notas al pie

  1. Colossians 3:20 Lit in
  2. Colossians 3:21 Or provoke to anger
  3. Colossians 3:22 I.e., slaves in first-century Roman culture
  4. Colossians 3:22 Lit masters according to flesh
  5. Colossians 3:22 I.e., working only when watched
  6. Colossians 3:23 Lit from the soul
  7. Colossians 3:24 I.e., consisting of
  8. Colossians 3:25 Lit there is no partiality

Some Rules for Christian Living

18 (A) A wife must put her husband first. This is her duty as a follower of the Lord.

19 (B) A husband must love his wife and not abuse her.

20 (C) Children must always obey their parents. This pleases the Lord.

21 (D) Parents, don't be hard on your children. If you are, they might give up.

22 (E) Slaves, you must always obey your earthly masters. Try to please them at all times, and not just when you think they are watching. Honor the Lord and serve your masters with your whole heart. 23 Do your work willingly, as though you were serving the Lord himself, and not just your earthly master. 24 In fact, the Lord Christ is the one you are really serving, and you know he will reward you. 25 (F) But Christ has no favorites! He will punish evil people, just as they deserve.

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18 Wives, understand and support your husbands by submitting to them in ways that honor the Master.

19 Husbands, go all out in love for your wives. Don’t take advantage of them.

20 Children, do what your parents tell you. This delights the Master no end.

21 Parents, don’t come down too hard on your children or you’ll crush their spirits.

22-25 Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work.

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