Colossians 4:1
Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful,
3 as you pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
- KJV
- Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
- WEB
- Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
- ASV
- Masters, render unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
- DARBY
- Masters, give to bondmen what is just and fair, knowing that *ye* also have a Master in [the] heavens.
- BLB
- Masters, provide to [your] slaves that which [is] right and that which [is] equal, knowing that you⁺ also have a Master in heaven.
- ÅB
- Dere herrer! gjør imot deres tjenere det som rett og rimelig er, for dere vet at også dere har en herre i himlene!
- OTB
- Herrer, gi deres slaver rettferdighet og rettferd, idet dere vet at dere også har en Herre i himmelen.
- B1930
- I herrer! gjør imot eders tjenere det som rett og rimelig er, for I vet at også I har en herre i himlene!
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Ephesians 6:8–20
because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
Read in contextRevelation 17:14
They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and He will be accompanied by His called and chosen and faithful ones.”
Read in contextDeuteronomy 24:14–15
Do not oppress a hired hand who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother or a foreigner residing in one of your towns.
Read in contextJames 2:13
For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Read in contextLuke 16:1–13
Jesus also said to His disciples, “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions.
Read in contextMatthew 24:48–51
But suppose that servant is wicked and says in his heart, ‘My master will be away a long time.’
Read in contextJames 5:4
Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 5:8
If you see the oppression of the poor and the denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be astonished at the matter; for one official is watched by a superior, and others higher still are over them.
Read in context