If we call upon the Son, through Him we call upon the Father also. If you give thanks to the Son, through Him you give thanks to the Father also. Or, just as the Son Himself brought us to the Father, so too He brings our thanksgiving to the Father, being the mediator for us in all good things.
Col. 3:18. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fitting in the Lord.
Why does Paul command this not in all epistles, but in this one and also in the epistles to the Ephesians, to Timothy, and to Titus? Probably because in these cities there were disagreements of this kind. Or because the Church here was firm, and everything else was good, but about this they disputed. In the epistles to other churches, which needed the exposition of higher doctrines, it was necessary to write about those doctrines, and there was no need to touch upon these instructions. The Epistle to the Colossians in this regard is very similar to the Epistle to the Ephesians. What does "in the Lord" mean? This is put in place of: obey for the sake of the Lord. For I require not merely the submission that is according to nature (the latter is clear from the words: "as is fitting," that is, as is proper), but preeminently for the sake of God.
Col. 3:19. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
See how he impresses upon each sex what is proper to it: upon wives — submission, upon husbands — love. For love is not so much required from the subordinate toward the superior as from the superior toward the subordinate. The wife, because she is loved, herself reciprocates with love in return. But when she submits to her husband, she renders him what is due. However, since it happens that even with love a person becomes embittered (and enmity with loved ones is especially bitter), therefore he also says: "do not be harsh toward them." For in reality it is from great bitterness that one rises up against his own member.
Col. 3:20. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.
Again he says: "to the Lord" (Κυρίω). The Apostle desires that we do this not by nature alone, but also because it is pleasing to God, so that we may receive a reward as those who act for God's sake. Addressing children of pious parents, he said: "in all things," since impious fathers should not be obeyed in all things; one should not listen to them when they begin to forcefully draw others into their impiety.
Col. 3:21. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
That is, do not pursue with bitterness everything they do. Some things must be overlooked without attention, so as not to make them contradictory and not to subject them to despondency. See what wisdom; how he inclines the heart of parents, and how he draws their inward parts, saying: "lest they become discouraged." For the entire concern of fathers is that their children not become discouraged.
Col. 3:22. Slaves, obey your masters according to the flesh in all things,
He immediately brings forward the legal basis of obedience, namely the name of slave. But, so as not to grieve them, he adds: "your masters according to the flesh." For your better part, he says, the soul, is free; slavery is only temporary. Therefore it is better to submit your soul as well, so that the slavery may be voluntary.
Col. 3:22. not serving them only when they are watching, as people-pleasers,
Make it, he says, so that slavery by the requirement of the law becomes slavery out of fear of Christ. For when you faithfully fulfill your duties without the oversight of your master, it is clear that you fulfill them before the eyes of God. But if you fulfill them only in the presence of your master, then you are a people-pleaser. And being such, you will harm yourself: "for God shall scatter the bones of those who please men" (Ps. 52:6).
Col. 3:22. But in simplicity of heart, fearing God.
To fear God means to do nothing evil even when no one sees us. Simplicity of heart consists precisely in not looking to people. Consequently, the people-pleaser does not act in simplicity of heart.
Col. 3:23. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
He desires that they be free not only from hypocrisy, but also from carelessness. Or better, instead of slaves he makes them free, if they have no need of oversight from masters. The expression "from the soul" means to do with good will, not with slavish necessity, but freely and voluntarily.
Col. 3:24. knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as a reward,
Masters do not often make slaves their heirs, even if they have served them immeasurably well. But the Lord will undoubtedly give you as a reward an inheritance in heaven, if you maintain goodwill toward your masters.
Col. 3:24. For you serve the Lord Christ.
For He established this order and subordination. And that you are working for Christ is clear from the fact that He is our rewarder.
Col. 3:25. But he who does wrong will receive back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality with Him.
A servant who acts unjustly toward his master, either by working negligently or by pilfering his master's goods, will receive punishment from God. For God is no respecter of persons, so as to show mercy to the servant as the weaker party, since even in the Law He commanded not to do unrighteousness in judgment (Lev. 19:15). Or thus: a Christian servant who does not treat his pagan master justly, let him not think that he will escape condemnation. For Christ is no respecter of persons, so as to forgive his sin against his pagan master simply because he is a Christian. However, although the apostle appears to be speaking to servants when he says that there is no respect of persons with God, masters should take these words as very much applying to themselves.