22. Your Relationships – Sacred Role of the Master
Hymns: RHC 87 I Know Whom I Have Believed 246 Open My Eyes, That I May See 78 At Even, When the Sun was Set
Colossians 4:1
1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
In Your Relationships – Sacred Role of the Master
OUTLINE
- Give (v1a)
- Be Given (v1b)
INTRODUCTION
The relationship of the master to the servant is highlighted here. “Give” has the meaning “to offer, to supply”. It is a command for the master to personally take the action and to do so continually.
Masters (kurios) is normally rendered “Lord” and describes one who is sovereign and possesses absolute authority, absolute ownership and uncontested power. In classical Greek kurios was used of the pagan gods. Kurios in the present context is one having legal power and control over his own property.
Servants or Slaves (doulos) is one who is in bondage or bound to another. He is in the state of being completely controlled by his master, his will being encompassed by the will of his master. He is not his own but is the property of his master. Doulos was the most abject, servile term of the six Greek words for “slave”.
Here is highlighted that which the master ought to give to the servant – that which is just and equal.
The one forbids that they should employ any violence, even that of words, in exacting service; and the other enjoins the making of an equitable return to them for their labours.
The Christian master, therefore, who will not coerce his servants, nor even threaten coercion, who pays them what is justly their due, and treats them kindly, remembering that he has himself a Master in heaven, fulfils the duties of this relation as enjoined upon him in the word of God. [Abbott]
Justice (dikaios) (from díke = custom, rule, right, especially in the fulfilment of duties towards gods and men, and of things that were in accordance with right) in the context of the NT usages, describes that which is in accordance with what God requires or in accordance with God’s compelling standards.
Fairness (isotes from ísos = equal, like) means likeness or equality. The idea is treating employees equally or of equal value. It signifies what is equitable (dealing fairly and equally with all concerned). [Precept Austin]
- Give (v1a)
1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal;
It is in the power of the master to treat well his servants as he assigns work to his servants. Give that which is just and equal or equitable or fair.
While some of us may be masters on earth, we must exercise this function with the full understanding that we too are but servants of the Lord Who is Master over all.
Our conduct must be just and equitable toward those who we have charge over. This view should transform how they regard and treat their slaves and was a radical departure from the practice of pagan Roman masters who considered their slaves as little more than property and not as men and women made in the image of God.
Under Roman law, slave masters had almost total control over their slaves and could do with them whatever they pleased. Few unsaved Roman masters ever thought of treating their slaves with fairness, for in their estimation, slaves deserved nothing.
On the other hand, it is notable that wherever Christians have constituted a significant segment of the population and have followed Paul’s directions here, the slave system has died. [Precept Austin]
Christians must realize these issues such as how we supervise and how we serve in the work place are a crucial part of our spiritual life. We are called to be ambassadors and must represent Christ well at our jobs (or schools, etc) during the weekdays, as well as at church on Sunday!
In fact, Christians should be known as the best workers at their work-places. They should be the most respectful and obedient to supervisors, the most industrious and conscientious and honest, and the most loving and genuinely interested in people.
Such Christ like behaviour will open doors to the most rewarding occupation anyone could ever hope for, the privilege of sharing the Person Who enables you to live and work “right side” up in a “post-Christian” society which is for the most part “upside down.” [Precept Austin]
Laban did not treat Jacob justly or equitably for Jacob’s contribution. These are the grievances of Jacob for how Laban has mistreated him even though he is his son-in-law.
Genesis 31:5-7 (KJV) And said unto them, I see your father’s countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me. And ye know that with all my power I have served your father. And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.
Genesis 31:36-42 (KJV) And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me? Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy household stuff? set it here before my brethren and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us both. This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten. That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night. Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes. Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times. Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.
God vindicate his servant – Genesis 31:8-16 (KJV) If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstraked shall be thy hire; then bare all the cattle ringstraked. Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me. And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and grisled. And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I. And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee. I am the God of Beth-el, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred. And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house? Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money. For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that is ours, and our children’s: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.
- Given (v1b)
… knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
Indeed, for Laban, the Master in heaven vindicated his servant, Jacob, to prosper his way.
Our God in heaven is equitable and just. We can learn it by learning His laws and His judgments. We learn what is euitable and just according to the measurement of God’s law, the divine yardstick, the yardstick that is measured upon every man.
Ephesians 6:7-9 (KJV) With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
Masters is warned not to threaten their servants. The Greek word means, to relax, loosen; and then, to omit, cease from. This is evidently the meaning here. The sense is, that they were to be kind, affectionate, just. It does not mean that they were to remit punishment where it was deserved; but the object is to guard against that to which they were so much exposed in their condition – a fretful, dissatisfied temper; a disposition to govern by terror rather than by love.
Where this unhappy state of society exists, it would be worth the trial of those who sustain the relation of masters to see whether it would not be possible to govern their servants, as the apostle here advises, by the exercise of love. Might not kindness, and confidence, and the fear of the Lord, be substituted for threats and stripes? [Barnes]
Galatians 6:7-9 (KJV) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
The master who takes good care of his servants.
Matthew 18:21-35 (KJV) Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
As we consider the master and servant relationship, truly, in the sight of God, there is not such distinction, all are treated equal in His sight. Jesus exhorts us in Matthew 5:7 (KJV) Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
The merciful are compassionate, benevolently merciful involving thought and action. It refers not merely to those who express acts of mercy but to those who have this attribute as a result of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And those who obtain mercy are those who are freed from deserved punishment. It is the outworking of God’s love in one’s heart.
Very often, we fail to show mercy to others because of the wickedness they have done and therefore we feel they do not deserve mercy. That may be so! Yet, this character trait of Christian benevolence sees beyond the man and his sins. It is designed to touch the heart by withholding deserved punishment in order to jolt the recipient to repentance. Our Lord Jesus’ dealing with us is the supreme example. We were condemned to eternal destruction in hell fire but God in His mercy sent Jesus to make a way for us! Only the redeemed soul will experience such love and exhibit it. Jesus pronounced such a one as blessed.
This chorus by Jonathan Goforth, the missionary to China, so that we may be practitioners of this Christian trait of showing mercy to others by giving them the gospel.
Lord Crucified, give me a heart like Thine
Teach me to love the dying souls of men;
And keep my heart in closest touch with Thee,
And give me love, pure Calvary love,
To bring the lost to Thee.
Ephesians 5:2 (KJV) And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Indeed, as Spurgeon said well, “The true spirit of Christianity is that of love and sympathy, it leads to prayer even for persecutors; and to hope for the most obdurate of men.”
CONCLUSION
This is well applied every facet of relationship between two persons. Let the trait of Christian love shine forth for His glory. Amen.