Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. – Comment: Here Paul is writing about a community of believers! It is true that Jesus ate with tax-gatherers and sinners, because for them He had come – to call them to True Life! We must live in our wider society BUT we have a responsibility as Christians, as a subsection of society, to talk about helpful things, not pleasurable gossip; to sing and worship rather than drinking a beer together! As a community we are to reflect the character of our God and King. Next Paul talks about another very special basic unit. The family! Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
– Comment: The family unit is under attack in the Western world these days, but it is very important in God’s economy! Paul here gives a clear emphatic picture of what a Christian family is meant to be as God planned it. The devil plans to destroy God’s format through unhealthy desires both financially and sexually. The devil uses governments to make laws which, while they may be intended to be helpful, are often destructive to the family unit. We as individuals, even as Christians, play into the devil’s destructive hands by allowing our personal desires to ruin God’s pattern. The devil encourages people to distort what is the obvious contextual meaning of words in this formula for successful marriage to become distorted horribly! ‘Submission’ is seen as ‘servile or door-mat like’; Fathers are seen as inseminators rather than representing Jesus by example as the loving, providing head of the family. Children are to be exampled, taught with sensible discipline, obedient! Many families had servants and they are told how to act not as men-pleasers but as living unto God. On the other hand they are to be treated recognizing that you, as the master, are under your Master, God Himself – therefore act appropriately!
Acts 10: 2 – He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.
Prayer: Help our family tree as it grows to honour You in all its branches and leaves, please!
As I read it! 