Colossians 4:1
New International Version
Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

New Living Translation
Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master—in heaven.

English Standard Version
Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Berean Standard Bible
Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Berean Literal Bible
Masters, give to the slaves that which is righteous and that which is equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

King James Bible
Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

New King James Version
Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

New American Standard Bible
Masters, grant your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

NASB 1995
Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.

NASB 1977
Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.

Legacy Standard Bible
Masters, show to your slaves what is right and fair, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.

Amplified Bible
Masters, [on your part] deal with your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Christian Standard Bible
Masters, deal with your slaves justly and fairly, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven.

American Standard Version
Masters, render unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Masters, practice equality and justice with your Servants and be aware that you also have a Master in Heaven.

Contemporary English Version
Slave owners, be fair and honest with your slaves. Don't forget that you have a Master in heaven.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Masters, do to your servants that which is just and equal: knowing that you also have a master in heaven.

English Revised Version
Masters, render unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Masters, be just and fair to your slaves because you know that you also have a master in heaven.

Good News Translation
Masters, be fair and just in the way you treat your slaves. Remember that you too have a Master in heaven.

International Standard Version
Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Literal Standard Version
The masters: give that which is righteous and equal to the servants, having known that you also have a Master in the heavens.

Majority Standard Bible
Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

New American Bible
Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, realizing that you too have a Master in heaven.

NET Bible
Masters, treat your slaves with justice and fairness, because you know that you also have a master in heaven.

New Revised Standard Version
Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, for you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

New Heart English Bible
Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Webster's Bible Translation
Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

Weymouth New Testament
Masters, deal justly and equitably with your slaves, knowing that you too have a Master in Heaven.

World English Bible
Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Young's Literal Translation
The masters! that which is righteous and equal to the servants give ye, having known that ye also have a Master in the heavens.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Fellow Workers
1 Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven. 2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful,…

Cross References
Leviticus 25:43
You are not to rule over them harshly, but you shall fear your God.

Ephesians 6:9
And masters, do the same for your slaves. Give up your use of threats, because you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him.


Treasury of Scripture

Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

give.

Leviticus 19:13
Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.

Leviticus 25:39-43
And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant: …

Deuteronomy 15:12-15
And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee…

ye.

Ecclesiastes 5:8
If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.

Matthew 23:8,9
But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren…

Matthew 24:48-51
But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; …

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Bondmen Conscious Deal Equal Fair Fairly Fairness Grant Heaven Heavens Justice Justly Master Masters Provide Render Right Righteous Servants Slaves Treat
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Bondmen Conscious Deal Equal Fair Fairly Fairness Grant Heaven Heavens Justice Justly Master Masters Provide Render Right Righteous Servants Slaves Treat
Colossians 4
1. He exhorts them to be fervent in prayer;
5. to walk wisely toward those who are not yet come to the true knowledge of Christ.
10. He salutes them, and wishes them all prosperity.














IV.

(1) Just and equal.--The word "equal," or, rather, the substantive so translated, has the sense either of "equity" or "equality." The former is far commoner (especially in connection with justice), and probably all that is intended here. At the same time, the idea running through the passage is of a common fellow-service to Christ of all alike, and in Colossians 3:11 we are reminded that "in Christ Jesus there is neither bond nor free." Perhaps, therefore, St. Paul desired that his readers should remember that in some points all are literally equal before God.

Verse 1. - (See Ch 3.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Masters,
κύριοι (kyrioi)
Noun - Vocative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

supply
παρέχεσθε (parechesthe)
Verb - Present Imperative Middle - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 3930: From para and echo; to hold near, i.e. Present, afford, exhibit, furnish occasion.

[your]
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

slaves
δούλοις (doulois)
Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1401: (a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave.

with what
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

[is] right
δίκαιον (dikaion)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1342: From dike; equitable; by implication, innocent, holy.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

fair,
ἰσότητα (isotēta)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2471: Equality; equality of treatment, fairness. Likeness; by implication, equity.

since you know
εἰδότες (eidotes)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

you
ὑμεῖς (hymeis)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

also
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

have
ἔχετε (echete)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

a Master
Κύριον (Kyrion)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

heaven.
οὐρανῷ (ouranō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3772: Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.


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NT Letters: Colossians 4:1 Masters give to your servants that which (Coloss. Col Co)
Colossians 3:25
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