Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

Colossians 3:22

The case of slaves is treated at greater length than that of the other family relations, probably on account of Onesimus. But Paul was much possessed with the need for keeping Christianity free from the suspicion it naturally created of undermining the constitution of society. So while δοῦλος, ἐλεύθερος is a distinction which has vanished for Christianity, in the interests of Christianity as a spiritual power social freedom had to be cheerfully foregone till the new religion was able to assert its principle with success. An instructive parallel is the exhortation to submission to constituted authority in Romans 13. In Paul's time slaves probably made up the larger part of the population of the empire. τοῖς κατὰ σάρκα κυρίοις : opposed to their spiritual Lord. ὁφθαλμοδουλείαις : acts of eye-service (singular in Ephesians 6:6), i.e., service which is most zealous when the eye of the master or overseer is upon them. The word was perhaps coined by Paul. ὡς ἀνθρωπάρεσκοι. It is the Christian's first duty to please the Lord, and this he can do only by conscientious performance of his tasks quite apart from the recognition he receives from men. If the principle of his conduct is the pleasing of men, he will neglect his duty where this motive cannot operate. ἁπλότητι καρδίας : “singleness of heart,” opposed to the double-dealing of eye-service. τὸν Κύριον : in significant contrast to the masters according to the flesh.

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Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

Colossians 3:22

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