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Colossians 4

Col. 4:1 KJV (With Strong’s)

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1
Masters
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
kurios (Greek #2962)
supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)
KJV usage: God, Lord, master, Sir.
Pronounce: koo'-ree-os
Origin: from κῦρος (supremacy)
f, give
parecho (Greek #3930)
to hold near, i.e. present, afford, exhibit, furnish occasion
KJV usage: bring, do, give, keep, minister, offer, shew, + trouble.
Pronounce: par-ekh'-o
Origin: from 3844 and 2192
unto
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
doulos (Greek #1401)
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
KJV usage: bond(-man), servant.
Pronounce: doo'-los
Origin: from 1210
your servants
doulos (Greek #1401)
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
KJV usage: bond(-man), servant.
Pronounce: doo'-los
Origin: from 1210
that which is just
dikaios (Greek #1342)
equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively)
KJV usage: just, meet, right(-eous).
Pronounce: dik'-ah-yos
Origin: from 1349
and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
equal
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
isotes (Greek #2471)
by implication, equity
KJV usage: equal(-ity).
Pronounce: ee-sot'-ace
Origin: likeness (in condition or proportion)
; knowing
eido (Greek #1492)
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent 3700 and 3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know
KJV usage: be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare 3700.
Pronounce: i'-do
Origin: a primary verb
that
hoti (Greek #3754)
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
KJV usage: as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
Pronounce: hot'-ee
Origin: neuter of 3748 as conjunction
ye
humeis (Greek #5210)
you (as subjective of verb)
KJV usage: ye (yourselves), you.
Pronounce: hoo-mice'
Origin: irregular plural of 4771
also
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
have
echo (Greek #2192)
(used in certain tenses only) a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition)
KJV usage: be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.
Pronounce: ekh'-o
Origin: σχέω (skheh'-o)
a Master
kurios (Greek #2962)
supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)
KJV usage: God, Lord, master, Sir.
Pronounce: koo'-ree-os
Origin: from κῦρος (supremacy)
in
en (Greek #1722)
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV usage: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Pronounce: en
Origin: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537)
heaven
ouranos (Greek #3772)
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel (Christianity)
KJV usage: air, heaven(-ly), sky.
Pronounce: oo-ran-os'
Origin: perhaps from the same as 3735 (through the idea of elevation)
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f
Eph. 6:9• 9And, masters, do the same things toward them, giving up threatening, knowing that the master both of them and of you is in [the] heavens; and there is no respect of persons with him. (Eph. 6:9)
,etc.

More on:

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Heaven,
Master,
Servant

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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1-4:  He exhorts them to be fervent in prayer;
5-9:  to walk wisely toward them that are not yet come to the true knowledge of Christ.
10-18:  He salutes them, and wishes them all prosperity.
give.
Lev. 19:13• 13Thou shalt not oppress thy neighbour, nor rob him. The wages of the hired servant shall not abide with thee all night until the morning. (Lev. 19:13)
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Lev. 25:39‑43• 39And if thy brother grow poor beside thee, and be sold to thee, thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bond-servant:
 40as a hired servant, as a sojourner, he shall be with thee; until the year of jubilee he shall serve with thee.
 41And he shall go out from thee, he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his father he shall return.
 42For they [are] my servants, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as they sell bondmen.
 43Thou shalt not rule over him with rigor, and thou shalt fear thy God. (Lev. 25:39‑43)
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Deut. 15:12‑15• 12If thy brother, a Hebrew man, or a Hebrew woman, have been sold unto thee, he shall serve thee six years, and in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee.
 13And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty;
 14thou shalt certainly furnish him from thy sheep, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress: of what Jehovah thy God hath blessed thee with shalt thou give unto him.
 15And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and that Jehovah thy God redeemed thee; therefore I command thee this thing today. (Deut. 15:12‑15)
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Deut. 24:14‑15• 14Thou shalt not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy of thy brethren, or of thy sojourners who are in thy land within thy gates:
 15on his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and his soul yearneth after it; lest he cry against thee to Jehovah, and it be a sin in thee. (Deut. 24:14‑15)
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Neh. 5:5‑13• 5Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought into bondage already; neither is it in the power of our hand to redeem them, for other men have our fields and our vineyards.
 6And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
 7And I consulted with myself; and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.
 8And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye, even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.
 9Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God, because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?
 10I also, my brethren and my servants, we might exact usury of them, money and corn. I pray you, let us leave off this usury.
 11Restore, I pray you, to them this very day their fields, their vineyards, their olive-gardens, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine and the oil, that ye have exacted of them.
 12Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them that they should do according to this promise.
 13Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised Jehovah. And the people did according to this promise. (Neh. 5:5‑13)
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Job 24:11‑12• 11They make oil within their walls,{HR}They tread wine-vats and they thirst.
 12Out of the city mortals groan,{HR}And the soul of the wounded crieth out;{HR}Yet God regardeth not the folly! (Job 24:11‑12)
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Job 31:13‑15• 13If I despised the right of my bondman{HR}Or of my bondmaid, in their contending with me,
 14What then shall I do when God [El] ariseth?{HR}And when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?
 15In the belly did not he that made me make him?{HR}And did not One fashion us in the womb? (Job 31:13‑15)
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Isa. 58:3,5‑9• 3Wherefore have we fasted, [say they,] and thou seest not? [wherefore] have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find [your own] pleasure, and exact all your labours.
 5Is such the fast that I have chosen? the day for a man to afflict his soul—that he should bow down his head as a rush, and spread sackcloth and ashes [under him]? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to Jehovah?
 6[Is] not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
 7[Is it] not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor wanderers to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
 8Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy healing shall spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee, the glory of Jehovah shall be thy rearward.
 9Then shalt thou call, and Jehovah shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I [am]. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and the speaking vanity; (Isa. 58:3,5‑9)
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Jer. 34:9‑17• 9that every man should let his bondman, and every man his bondmaid, the Hebrew and the Hebrewess, go free, that none should exact service of them, that is, of a Jew his brother.
 10When all the princes, and all the people, which had entered into the covenant, heard that everyone should let his manservant, and everyone his maidservant, go free, that none should serve themselves of them anymore, then they obeyed and let them go.
 11But afterwards they turned, and caused the servants and the handmaids whom they had let go free, to return, and brought them into subjection for servants and for handmaids.
 12And the word of Jehovah came to Jeremiah from Jehovah, saying,
 13Thus saith Jehovah the God of Israel: I made a covenant with your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, saying,
 14At the end of seven years ye shall let go every man his brother, a Hebrew, who hath sold himself unto thee; when he hath served thee six years, thou shalt let him go free from thee. But your fathers hearkened not unto me, neither inclined their ear.
 15And you, ye had this day turned, and had done right in my sight, in proclaiming liberty every man to his neighbour; and ye had made a covenant before me in the house which is called by my name:
 16but ye have turned and profaned my name, and caused every man his bondman, and every man his bondmaid, whom ye had set at liberty at their pleasure, to return, and ye have brought them into subjection, to be unto you for bondmen and for bondmaids.
 17Therefore thus saith Jehovah, Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbour: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith Jehovah, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth. (Jer. 34:9‑17)
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Mal. 3:5• 5And I will come near to you to judgment, and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith Jehovah of hosts. (Mal. 3:5)
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James 2:13• 13for the judgment [is] merciless to him that showed no mercy. Mercy glorieth over judgment. (James 2:13)
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James 5:4• 4Behold, the hire of the labourers who reaped your fields, that is kept back of you crieth out, and the cries of those that reaped entered into the ears of Jehovah of hosts. (James 5:4)
ye.
Eccl. 5:8• 8If thou seest the oppression of the poor,{HR}And the violent taking away of judgment{HR}And justice in a province,{HR}Marvel not at the matter:{HR}For one higher than the high regardeth;{HR}And there are higher than they. (Eccl. 5:8)
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Matt. 23:8‑9• 8But ye , be not ye called Rabbi; for one is your instructor, and all ye are brethren.
 9And call not [anyone] your father upon the earth; for one is your Father, he who is in the heavens. (Matt. 23:8‑9)
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Matt. 24:48‑51• 48But if that evil bondman shall say in his heart, My lord tarrieth;
 49and shall begin to beat his fellow-bondmen, and shall eat and drink with the drunken,
 50the lord of that bondman shall come in a day when he expecteth not, and in an hour that he knoweth not,
 51and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. (Matt. 24:48‑51)
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Luke 16:1‑13• 1And he said also to [his] disciples, There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and he was accused unto him as wasting his possessions.
 2And having called him, he said to him, What [is] this that I hear of thee? Give the reckoning of thy stewardship, for thou canst be no longer steward.
 3And the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord is taking the stewardship from me; I am not able to dig; I am ashamed to beg.
 4I know what I will do, that when I shall have been removed from the stewardship I may be received into their houses.
 5And he called each of his own lord's debtors, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?
 6And he said, A hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill and sit down quickly, and write fifty.
 7Then he said to another, And thou, how much owest thou? And he said, A hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill and write eighty.
 8And the lord praised the unrighteous steward, because he had done prudently. For the sons of this age are in respect of their own generation more prudent than the sons of light.
 9And I say unto you, make to yourselves friends with the mammon of unrighteousness, that, when it fails, ye may be received into everlasting habitations.
 10He that is faithful in the least is faithful also in much; and he that is unrighteous in the least is unrighteous also in much.
 11If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who shall entrust to you the true?
 12and if ye have not been faithful in that which is another's, who shall give unto you your own?
 13No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and will love the other, or he will cleave to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Luke 16:1‑13)
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Luke 19:15• 15And it came to pass on his return, having received the kingdom, that he desired his bondmen to whom he gave the money to be called to him in order that he might know what each had gained by trading. (Luke 19:15)
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Eph. 6:8,9‑20• 8knowing that whatever good each shall do, this he shall receive of [the] Lord, whether bond or free.
 9And, masters, do the same things toward them, giving up threatening, knowing that the master both of them and of you is in [the] heavens; and there is no respect of persons with him.
 10For the rest, my brethren, be strengthened in [the] Lord and in the strength of his might.
 11Put on the panoply of God, that ye may be able to stand against the stratagems of the devil;
 12for our wrestling is not against blood and flesh, but against the principalities, against the authorities, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places].
 13On this account take up the panoply of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having fully done all, to stand.
 14Stand therefore, having girt about your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
 15and having shod your feet with [the] preparation of the gospel of peace;
 16besides all, having taken up the shield of faith with which ye will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one;
 17and receive the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God's word;
 18with all prayer and supplication praying in every season in [the] Spirit, and thereunto watching with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints,
 19and for me that utterance may be given me in [the] opening of my mouth with boldness to make known the mystery of the gospel,
 20for which I am an ambassador in chain[s], that in it I may be bold as I ought to speak. (Eph. 6:8,9‑20)
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Rev. 17:14• 14These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them (for he is Lord of lords and King of kings), and those that are with him, called and chosen and faithful. (Rev. 17:14)
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Rev. 19:16• 16And he hath upon the garment and upon his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. (Rev. 19:16)
• Likewise, employers who own a company and have employees, in principle, are in the position of masters, and they are to run their companies in a way that would honor the Lord. (“Christ Expressed in the Work Place: Colossians 3:22-25” by B. Anstey)

J. N. Darby Translation

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1
Masters, give to bondmen what is just and fair, knowing that *ye* also have a Master in the heavens.

W. Kelly Translation

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1
Mastersa, justice and equity accord to your bondmen, knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

WK Translation Notes

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a
It is evident that the first verse of chapter 4 belongs to the special exhortations which occupy the close of chapter 3. Consequently, chapter 4 ought, if the division were accurate according to subjects, to begin at the second verse.