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.

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 [2430]Eph 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.

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.