Colossians 3:17

And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

'AND' -Indicating that this verse is connected with the previous thoughts. Erdman notes, 'Paul reaches the climax by one which is of the widest possible applications...Not only hymns of praise but every word spoken and every act performed may be transfigured into real worship of God.' (p. 101)

'IN WORD OR IN DEED' -Which teaches us that our "words" are just as important as our deeds (Matthew 12:36). Indicating the whole of our earthly activities.

'DO ALL IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS' -'in dependence on the Lord Jesus' (Mof); 'as. representative of the Lord Jesus' (Tay); 'in the spirit of' (Robertson p. 506)

Points to Note:

1. 'means, accordingly, "in vital relation with him", that is, in harmony with his revealed will, in subjection to his authority..' (Hendriksen p. 164) (Matthew 28:18). 'by his authority, or generally, in recognition of it. To speak in His name, or to act in His name, is to speak and act...by His sanction and with the conviction of His approval. This is the highest Christian morality,. vivid and practical recognition of Christ in everything said or done...This is. high test. It is comparatively easy to do. professedly Christian act, but far more difficult to do every act in. Christian spirit...It is comparatively easy to engage in religious discourse, but far more difficult to discourse on everything in. religious spirit.' (Eadie p. 249)

2. 'thus everything he says or does ought to be in the light of the fact that Jesus is his Lord. His behavior should be entirely consistent with Jesus' character..' (O'Brien pp. 211-212)

3. We are thus reminded, that as Christians we are to act like Christians, not only when gathered for public worship, but in every aspect of our lives. Even what might be considered the most ordinary and mundane things of life, are to be done in. way that brings honor to God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

4. Many people forget this truth. We are to glorify God, acknowledge our dependence upon Him, and demonstrate our subjection to His authority, in every facet of our lives.

5. Even in the ordinary things of life, we need to approach those things asking, 'With what type of attitude would the Lord want me to perform this activity in?' This also reminds us, that when Jesus purchased us, He purchased every bit of us (1 Peter 1:18). We have no "private life" that is not under His jurisdiction. We are obligated to praise Him in everything we do (1 Peter 1:15).

6. The following verses apply this truth. In every relationship we have, God can be glorified, His will can be served, if we act in submission to His directives. And in every relationship we have, we can act in. way that doesn't bring any praise to God (1 Peter 3:7).

Eadie makes the following comments, 'the apostle means, that such ought to be the habitual respect to Christ's authority, such the constant and practical influence of His word within us..Christianity should ever guard and regulate amidst all secular engagements...The senator may not discuss Christian dogmas in the midst of national interests, but his whole procedure must be regulated, not by faction or ambition, but by that enlightened patriotism, which, based on justice, is wise enough to know that true policy can never contravene morality...The merchant is not to digress into. polemical dispute while he is concluding. sale, but love of profit is not to supersede rectitude, nor is the maxim, that there is no friendship in trade, ever to lead him to take undue advantage, or accomplish by dexterity what equity would scarcely permit. The tradesman, as he lifts his tool, is not to say, in Christ's name. strike; but in the spirit of Him...is he faithfully to finish the labour assigned him, ever feeling himself to be under the "great taskmaster's eye".....' (p. 250)

7. And, especially for our own times, carefully note that the highest motive in life IS NOT TO LIVE IN HARMONY WITH "NATURE". Rather, it is to live in harmony with the will of God!

'GIVING THANKS TO GOD THE FATHER THROUGH HIM' -(Ephesians 5:20)

Points to Note:

1. Which again emphasizes that Jesus is the only mediator between the Father and us (1 Timothy 2:5).

2. And again the Christian is admonished to be grateful.

3. Erdman notes, 'This does not mean that this holy name is to be used as. magic charm.' (p. 101)

4. Hendriksen notes, 'In connection with any and every word and deed the believer should ask himself, "Am. able to thank God the Father for having given me the opportunity to say or do this?"' (p. 164)

5. This infers that every day the Christian encounters something that they need to thank God for.

THIS TRUTH APPLIED TO SPECIFIC GROUPS:

Points to Note:

1. As we study the following human relationships, be impressed that Christianity has placed in every relationship the duty of mutual obligation. People try to make relationships one-sided. God disagrees, He says that in every relationship both parties have duties and privileges. 'It is never an ethic on which all the duties are on one side.' (Barclay p. 161)

2. Christianity has improved all human relationships. Barclay notes, 'In Greek society. respectable woman lived. life of entire seclusion. She never appeared on the streets alone, not even to go marketing. She lived in the women's apartments and did not join her menfolk even for meals. From her there was demanded complete servitude and chastity; but her husband could go out as much as he chose and could enter into as many relationships outside marriage as he liked without incurring any stigma. Under both Jewish and Greek laws and custom all the privileges belonged to the husband and all the duties to the wife.' (p. 161)

3. And such. double-standard still holds true, especially concerning the sexual activities of young men and young women. The sexually active male teenager is. "real man" (according to our enlightened society); and the sexually active teenage female is. tramp (according to the same enlightened society). Christianity didn't invent this double-standard (for it condemns both), rather this "fine ethic", is simply one example of the short-comings of unaided human wisdom.

4. Carefully note that Christianity didn't erase human relationships. The Christian woman, is still. woman and she is still in subjection to her husband. Even among Christians, God still expects us to respect male and female roles (1 Timothy 2:11).

'In this section the reference to the subject precedes that to the ruling parties, and the duty of obedience is emphasized to prevent false inferences from the doctrine that natural distinctions are done away in Christ..' (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 542)

5. And also note that basically the same duties exist in all our relationships, even after we become Christians. But now, we have. much higher motive and purpose with which to perform such duties. No longer are these things mere human relationships, or just work. They are another means of serving and glorifying God.

6. Barclay also notes, 'The whole direction of the Christian ethic is not to ask: "What do others owe to me?" but, "What do. owe to others?"' (p. 162)