Colossians 3:22

²⁰ Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

²¹ Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

²³ And what soever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

²⁴ Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord.
KJV: Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
WEB: Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God.
ASV: Servants, obey in all things them that are your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord:
DARBY: Bondmen, obey in all things your masters according to flesh; not with eye-services, as men-pleasers, but in simplicity of heart, fearing the Lord.
BLB: Slaves, obey according to all things the masters according to flesh, not with eye-services as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.

ÅB: Dere tjenere! vær lydige i alle ting imot deres herrer etter kjødet, ikke med øyentjeneste, som de som vil tekkes mennesker, men i hjertets enfold, idet dere frykter Herren!
OTB: Slaver, adlyd deres jordiske herrer i alt, ikke bare når deres øye er på dere og for å vinne deres gunst, men med hjertets oppriktighet, i frykt for Herren.
B1930: I tjenere! vær lydige i alle ting imot eders herrer efter kjødet, ikke med øientjeneste, som de som vil tekkes mennesker, men i hjertets enfold, idet I frykter Herren!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Ephesians 6:5–7
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
Read in context
Galatians 1:10
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Read in context
1 Timothy 6:1–2
Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
Read in context
1 Peter 2:18–19
Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
Read in context
Titus 2:9–10
Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
Read in context
1 Thessalonians 2:4
But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
Read in context
Colossians 3:20
Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
Read in context
Luke 6:46
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Read in context