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Colossians

About this book
Chapter 3

1 Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth, 3 for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ (who is your life) appears, then you too will be revealed in glory with him. 5 So put to death whatever in your nature belongs to the earth: sexual immorality, impurity, shameful passion, evil desire, and greed which is idolatry.⁠ 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. 7 You also lived your lives in this way at one time, when you used to live among them. 8 But now, put off all such things as anger, rage, malice, slander, abusive language from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another since you have put off the old man with its practices 10 and have been clothed with the new man that is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created it.⁠ 11 Here there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all and in all. 12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,⁠ 13 bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others. 14 And to all these virtues add love, which is the perfect bond. 15 Let the peace of Christ be in control in your heart (for you were in fact called as one body to this peace), and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 18 Wives, submit to your husbands,⁠ as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing in the Lord. 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.

Texts in conversation

Compare Colossians 3:18 and Clement of Rome, 1 Clement 21:6

New Testament · Early Christian

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Summary

Colossians follows Greco-Roman household codes that instruct wives, husbands, children, parents, slaves, and masters. 1 Clement adopts the same tradition, calling the church to revere its rulers, honor elders, guide women, and instruct children.

Passages

Colossians 3:18

New Testament
17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing in the Lord. 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.
80–85 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in Colossians

Clement of Rome, 1 Clement 21:6

Early Christian · First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians
5 Let us offend foolish and senseless men who exalt themselves and boast in the arrogance of their words, rather than God. 6 Let us fear the Lord Jesus, whose blood was given for us. Let us respect our rulers; let us honor our elders; let us instruct our young men in the lesson of the fear of God. Let us guide our women toward what is good. 7 let them display their lovely disposition of purity; let them prove their sincere affection of gentleness; let them make the moderation of their tongue evident through their silence; let them show their love, not in partisan preferences but without partiality toward all who fear God, in holiness. Let our children share in the instruction that is in Christ. 8 let them learn how humility prevails with God, what power chaste love has with God, how the fear of Him is good and great and saves all who walk in it with a pure mind in holiness. 9 For He is the searcher of thoughts and desires; His breath is in us, and when He wills, He will take it away.
90–100 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in Clement of Rome, 1 Clement

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. ...
Ian K. Smith, Heavenly Perspective: A Study of the Apostle Paul’s Response to a Jewish Mystical Movement at Colossae (London: T&T Clark International, 2006), 201.

References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.

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Colossians 3:18 and Clement of Rome, 1 Clement 21:6

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