Texts in Conversation
Colossians follows Greco-Roman household codes, telling slaves to obey their earthly masters from a sincere heart. Barnabas follows the same tradition, calling slaves to submit to their masters as representatives of God’s authority.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Colossians 3:22
New Testament
21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become disheartened. 22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in every respect, not only when they are watching—like those who are strictly people-pleasers—but with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people, 24 because you know that you will receive your inheritance from the Lord as the reward. Serve the Lord Christ. 25 For the one who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there are no exceptions.
Barnabas 19:7
Epistle of Barnabas
Early Christian
6 ‘You shall not be found craving your neighbor’s goods; you shall not be found greedy for profit. Nor shall you associate your soul with the high-minded but shall walk with the humble and just. Whatever happens to you, accept it as good, knowing that nothing happens without God. You shall not be double-minded or speak with a double tongue.’ 7 ‘You shall be subject to your masters as a symbol of God, in shame and fear. You shall not order your bondservant or servant harshly if they set their hope on the same God, so that they do not stop fearing the God who is over both of you; for He did not come to call anyone with partiality but those whom the Spirit has prepared.’ 8 ‘You shall share in everything with your neighbor and not say that anything is your own. For if you are joint-heirs of what is imperishable, how much more of perishable things? You shall not be quick with your tongue, for the mouth is a snare of death. As far as you can, be pure for your soul’s sake.’
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Notes and References
... Heavenly-mindedness should not only be seen within the church (3.16), but also in everyday life, as displayed by the household code (Haustafel) of 3.18-4.1. There are similarities with other New Testament household codes (e.g. Ephesians 5:22-6:9; 1 Peter 2:18-3:7), early Christian writings (Didache 4:9-11; Barnabas 19:5-7; 1 Clement 21:6-9; Ignatius, To Polycarp 4:1-5:2; Polycarp, To the Philippians 4:2-3) and other examples from contemporary Greek, Roman and Jewish writing (Aristotle, Politics 1.1253b.1-14; Philo, On the Decalogue 165-167; Philo, On the Special Laws 2:224-241; Josephus, Against Apion 2:199-208). The household code addresses six different groups of persons, who form three reciprocal relationships (wives-husbands in 3.18-19; children-parents in 3.20-21; slaves-masters in 3.22-4.1). Within each pair, the weaker party is addressed first. ...
Smith, Ian K.
Heavenly Perspective: A Study of the Apostle Paul’s Response to a Jewish Mystical Motif at Colossae
(p. 201) T&T Clark, 2006
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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