Colossians 4:1
WEB
Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
BSB
Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
KJV
Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
Matthew Henry
Greek interlinear
G3588
the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc
, including the feminine ἡ , and the neuter τό in all their inflections;
Derivation: the definite article;
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
G2962
God, Lord, master, Sir
Derivation: from κῦρος (supremacy);
supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)
KJV: God, Lord, master, Sir.
G1342
just, meet, right(-eous)
Derivation: from G1349;
equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively)
KJV: just, meet, right(-eous).
See also: G1349.
G2532
and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet
Derivation: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force;
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
G2471
equal(-ity)
likeness (in condition or proportion); by implication, equity
KJV: equal(-ity).
G1401
bond(-man), servant
Derivation: from G1210;
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
KJV: bond(-man), servant.
See also: G1210.
G3930
bring, do, give, keep, minister, offer, shew, + trouble
Derivation: from G3844 and G2192;
to hold near, i.e. present, afford, exhibit, furnish occasion
KJV: bring, do, give, keep, minister, offer, shew, + trouble.
See also: G3844, G2192.
G3754
as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why
Derivation: neuter of G3748 as conjunction;
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
KJV: as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
See also: G3748.
G4771
thou
Derivation: the personal pronoun of the second person singular;
thou
KJV: thou.
See also G4571, G4671, G4675; and for the plural G5209, G5210, G5213, G5216.
See also: G4675, G4571, G4671, G5209, G5210, G5213, G5216.
G2192
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
, including an alternate form σχέω ; (used in certain tenses only)
Derivation: 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: 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.
G1722
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)
Derivation: 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 G1519 and G1537);
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV: 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.
See also: G1519, G1537.
G3772
air, heaven(-ly), sky
Derivation: perhaps from the same as G3735 (through the idea of elevation);
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel (Christianity)
KJV: air, heaven(-ly), sky.
See also: G3735.
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Verse 1
Colossians 4:1
The apostle proceeds with the duty of masters to their servants, which might have been joined to the foregoing chapter, and is a part of that discourse. Here observe, 1. Justice is required of them: Give unto your servants that which is just and equal (Col 4:1), not only strict justice, but equity and kindness. Be faithful to your promises to them, and perform your agreements; not defrauding them of their dues, nor keeping back by fraud the hire of the labourers, Jam 5:4. Require no more of them than they are able to perform; and do not lay unreasonable burdens upon them, and beyond their strength. Provide for them what is fit, supply proper food and physic, and allow them such liberties as may fit them the better for cheerful service and make it the easier to them, and this though they be employed in the meanest and lowest offices, and of another country and a different religion from yourselves. 2. A good reason for this regard: "Knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. You who are masters of others have a Master yourself, and are servants of another Lord. You are not lords of yourselves, and are accountable to one above you. Deal with your servants as you expect God should deal with you, and as those who believe they must give an account. You are both servants of the same Lord in the different relations in which you stand, and are equally accountable to him at last. Knowing that your Master also is in heaven, neither is there respect of persons with him," Eph 6:9.
Cross-references: Col 4:1 · Jas 5:4 · Eph 6:9