Colossians 4:1
MASTERS, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
¶ Masters, giue vnto your seruants that which is iust and equall, knowing that yee also haue a Master in heauen.
Narration uses the Pure Cambridge Edition.
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From verse 1
- Ephesians 6:8–20Rank 1 from verse 1
8Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
9And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
8Knowing that whatsoeuer good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receiue of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
9And ye masters, do the same things vnto them, ‖forbearing threatning: knowing that †your master also is in heauen, neither is there respect of persons with him.
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, & in the power of his might.
11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the deuill.
12For wee wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darknes of this world, against ‖spirituall wickednes in ‖high places.
13Wherfore take vnto you the whole armour of God, that yee may be able to withstand in the euill day, and ‖hauing done all, to stand.
14Stand therefore, hauing your loynes girt about with trueth, and hauing on the breast-plate of righteousnesse:
15And your feete shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace.
16Aboue all, taking the shielde of Faith, wherewith yee shall bee able to quench all the fierie dartes of the wicked.
17And take the helmet of saluation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18Praying alwayes with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseuerance, and supplication for all Saints,
19And for mee, that vtterance may be giuen vnto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make knowen the mysterie of the Gospel:
20For which I am an ambassador ‖in bonds, that ‖therein I may speake boldly, as I ought to speake.
- Deuteronomy 24:14–15Rank 2 from verse 1
14¶ Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates:
15At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the Lord, and it be sin unto thee.
14¶ Thou shalt not oppresse an hired seruant that is poore and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy lande within thy gates.
15At his day *thou shalt giue him his hire, neither shall the Sun goe downe vpon it, for he is poore, and †setteth his heart vpon it, lest hee crie against thee vnto the LORD, and it bee sinne vnto thee.
- James 2:13Rank 3 from verse 1
- Revelation 17:14Rank 4 from verse 1
14These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
14These shal make warre with the Lambe, and the Lambe shal ouercome them: *For he is Lord of Lords, and King of kings, and they that are with him, are called, & chosen, and faithfull.
- Luke 16:1–13Rank 5 from verse 1
1AND he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.
2And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.
3Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.
4I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.
5So he called every one of his lord’s debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?
6And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.
7Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.
8And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
9And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
10He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
11If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
12And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?
13¶ No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
1¶ And hee said also vnto his disciples, There was a certaine rich man which had a Steward, and the same was accused vnto him that he had wasted his goods.
2And hee called him, and said vnto him, How is it that I heare this of thee? Giue an accompt of thy stewardship: for thou mayest bee no longer Steward.
3Then the Steward said within himselfe, What shall I doe, for my lord taketh away from mee the Stewardship? I cannot digge, to begge I am ashamed.
4I am resolued what to doe, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receiue me into their houses.
5So hee called euery one of his lords detters vnto him, and said vnto the first, How much owest thou vnto my lord?
6And hee said, An hundred †measures of oyle. And hee saide vnto him, Take thy bill, and sit downe quickly, and write fiftie.
7Then said hee to another, And how much owest thou? And hee said, An hundred †measures of wheat. And hee saide vnto him, Take thy bill and write fourescore.
8And the lord commended the vniust Steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser then the children of light.
9And I say vnto you, Make to your selues friends of the ‖Mammon of vnrighteousnesse, that when ye faile, they may receiue you into euerlasting habitations.
10Hee that is faithfull in that which is least, is faithfull also in much: and he that is vniust in the least, is vniust also in much.
11If therefore yee haue not bene faithfull in the vnrighteous ‖Mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
12And if ye haue not bene faithful in that which is another mans, who shall giue you that which is your owne?
13¶ *No seruant can serue two masters, for either he will hate the one, and loue the other: or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other: yee cannot serue God and Mammon.
- Matthew 24:48–51Rank 6 from verse 1
48But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
49And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
50The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
51And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
48But and if that euill seruant shal say in his heart, My Lord delayeth his comming,
49And shall begin to smite his fellow seruants, and to eate and drinke with the drunken:
50The Lord of that seruant shall come in a day when hee looketh not for him, and in an houre that hee is not ware of:
51And shall cut him ‖asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
4Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.
4Beholde, the hire of the labourers which haue reaped downe your fieldes, which is of you kept backe by fraud, cryeth: and the cryes of them which haue reaped, are entred into the eares of the Lord of Sabaoth.
- Ecclesiastes 5:8Rank 8 from verse 1
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.
8¶ †If thou seest the oppression of the poore, and violent peruerting of iudgement, and iustice in a prouince, maruell not at the matter: for he that is higher then the highest, regardeth, and there be higher then they.
- Leviticus 25:39–43Rank 9 from verse 1
39¶ 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:
40But as an hired servant, and as a sojourner, he shall be with thee, and shall serve thee unto the year of jubile:
41And then shall he depart from thee, both he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return.
42For they are my servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen.
43Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy God.
39¶ And *if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poore, and be sold vnto thee, thou shalt not †compell him to serue as a bond seruant.
40 But as an hired seruant, and as a soiourner he shall be with thee, and shall serue thee vnto the yere of Iubile.
41And then shall hee depart from thee, both he and his children with him, and shall returne vnto his owne familie, and vnto the possession of his fathers shall he returne.
42For they are my seruants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold †as bond men.
43*Thou shalt not rule ouer him with rigour, but shalt feare thy God.
- Luke 19:15Rank 10 from verse 1
15And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
15And it came to passe, that when he was returned, hauing receiued the kingdome, then hee commaunded these seruants to be called vnto him, to whom he had giuen the money, that hee might know how much euery man had gained by trading.
- Revelation 19:16Rank 11 from verse 1
- Deuteronomy 15:12–15Rank 12 from verse 1
12¶ 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.
13And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty:
14Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress: of that wherewith the Lord thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him.
15And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day.
12¶ And *if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold vnto thee, and serue thee sixe yeres, then in the seuenth yeere thou shalt let him goe free from thee.
13And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away emptie:
14Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flocke, and out of thy floore, and out of thy wine presse, of that wherewith the LORD thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt giue vnto him.
15And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day.
- Isaiah 58:5–9Rank 13 from verse 1
5Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord?
6Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
7Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
8¶ Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.
9Then shalt thou call, and the Lord 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 speaking vanity;
5**‖Is it such a fast that I haue chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soule? Is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackecloth and ashes vnder him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?
6†† Is not this the fast that I haue chosen? to loose the bandes of wickednesse, to vndoe the heauie burdens, and to let the oppressed goe free, and that ye breake euery yoke?
7*‖ Is it not, to deale thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poore that are cast out, to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou couer him, and that thou hide not thy selfe from thine owne flesh?
8¶ †Then shall thy light breake foorth as the morning, and thine health shall spring foorth speedily: and thy righteousnesse shall goe before thee, the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.
9Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answere; thou shalt cry, and he shal say, Here I am: if thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanitie:
- Jeremiah 34:9–17Rank 14 from verse 1
9That every man should let his manservant, and every man his maidservant, being an Hebrew or an Hebrewess, go free; that none should serve himself of them, to wit, of a Jew his brother.
10Now when all the princes, and all the people, which had entered into the covenant, heard that every one should let his manservant, and every one his maidservant, go free, that none should serve themselves of them any more, then they obeyed, and let them go.
11But afterward 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.
12¶ Therefore the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying,
13Thus saith the Lord, 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 bondmen, saying,
14At the end of seven years let ye go every man his brother an Hebrew, which hath been sold unto thee; and 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 ye were now 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 turned and polluted my name, and caused every man his servant, and every man his handmaid, whom ye had set at liberty at their pleasure, to return, and brought them into subjection, to be unto you for servants and for handmaids.
17Therefore thus saith the Lord; 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 the Lord, 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.
9That euery man should let his man seruant, and euery man his maide seruant, being an Hebrewe, or an Hebrewesse, goe free, that none should serue himselfe of them, to wit, of a Iew his brother.
10Now when all the princes and all the people which had entred into the couenant, heard that euery one should let his man seruant, and euery one his maid seruant goe free, that none should serue themselues of them any more, then they obeyed and let them goe.
11But afterwards they turned, and caused the seruants and the handmaids whom they had let goe free, to returne, and brought them into subiection for seruants and for handmaids.
12¶ Therefore the worde of the LORD came to Ieremiah, from the LORD, saying,
13Thus saith the LORD the God of Israel, I made a couenant with your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondmen, saying,
14*‖At the end of seuen yeeres, let ye go euery man his brother an Hebrew which hath bene sold vnto thee: and when he hath serued thee sixe yeeres, thou shalt let him goe free from thee, but your fathers hearkened not vnto me, neither inclined their eare.
15††And ye were now turned, and had done right in my sight, in proclaiming libertie euery man to his neighbour, and ye had made a couenant before me in the house, which is called by my Name.
16But yee turned and polluted my Name, and caused euery man his seruant, and euery man his handmaide, whome yee had set at libertie at their pleasure, to returne; and brought them into subiection, to bee vnto you for seruants and for handmaids.
17†*Therfore thus saith the LORD, Ye haue not hearkened vnto me, in proclaiming libertie euery one to his brother, and euery man to his neighbour: behold, I proclaime a libertie for you, saith the LORD, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine, and I wil make you to be remoued into all the kingdomes of the earth.
- Job 24:11–12Rank 15 from verse 1
11Which make oil within their walls, and tread their winepresses, and suffer thirst.
12Men groan from out of the city, and the soul of the wounded crieth out: yet God layeth not folly to them.
11 Which make oyle within their walles, and tread their winepresses, and suffer thirst.
12Men groane from out of the city, and the soule of the wounded crieth out: yet God layeth not folly to them.
- Job 31:13–15Rank 16 from verse 1
13If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me;
14What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?
15Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?
13If I did despise the cause of my man-seruant, or of my mayd-seruant, when they contended with me:
14What then shall I do, when God riseth vp? and when hee visiteth, what shall I answere him?
15Did not hee that made mee in the wombe, make him? and ‖did not one fashion vs in the wombe?
- Leviticus 19:13Rank 17 from verse 1
- Malachi 3:5Rank 18 from verse 1
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 the Lord of hosts.
5‖And I will come neere to you to iudgement, and I will bee a swift witnesse against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppresse the hireling in his wages, the widowe, and the fatherlesse, and that turne aside the stranger from his right, and feare not me, saith the LORD of hosts.
- Nehemiah 5:5–13Rank 19 from verse 1
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 unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.
6¶ And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
7Then 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 likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury.
11Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact 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 the Lord. And the people did according to this promise.
5Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and loe, wee bring into bondage our sonnes and our daughters, to bee seruants, and some of our daughters are brought vnto bondage already, neither is it in our power to redeeme them: for other men haue our lands and vineyards.
6¶ And I was very angry, when I heard their crie, and these words.
7Then †I consulted with my selfe, and I rebuked the Nobles, and the rulers, and said vnto them, You exact vsurie, euery one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them:
8And I said vnto them, We, after our abilitie, haue *redeemed our brethren the Iewes, which were sold vnto the heathen; and will you euen sell your brethren? or shall they be sold vnto vs? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answere.
9Also I said, It is not good that yee doe: ought yee not to walke in the feare of our God, because of the reproch of the heathen our enemies?
10I likewise, and my brethren, and my seruants, might exact of them money and corne: I pray you let vs leaue off this vsurie.
11Restore, I pray you, to them, euen this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliue-yards, and their houses, also the hundreth part of the money, and of the corne, the wine, and the oyle, that ye exact of them.
12Then said they, Wee will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we doe, as thou sayest. Then I called the Priests, and tooke an oath of them, that they should doe according to this promise.
13Also I shooke my lap, and said, So God shake out euery man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, euen thus be he shaken out, and †emptied. And all the Congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.
- Isaiah 58:3Rank 20 from verse 1
3¶ Wherefore 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 pleasure, and exact all your labours.
3¶ ‖Wherefore haue wee fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore haue wee afflicted our soule, & thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, and exact all your labours.
- Matthew 23:8–9Rank 21 from verse 1
8But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
8*But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, euen Christ, and all ye are brethren.
9And call no man your father vpon the earth: *for one is your father which is in heauen.
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
Definitions
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DEFINED WORDS
Colossians 4:1
Persons who rule, own, teach, or exercise authority over others.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
To grant, hand, offer, supply, yield, or cause to have.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The possessive form of ye or you, ordinarily plural, marking what belongs to, concerns, proceeds from, or stands in relation to the persons addressed.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Persons who serve, labour for, obey, or attend another.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Right, righteous, upright, equitable, lawful, or fair.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: The same in measure, value, standing, or likeness. Sense 2: Just, right, or even.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893
Sense 1: Perceiving, understanding, recognizing, or being acquainted with. Sense 2: Having knowledge or skill.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
One possessing authority, ownership, command, supervision, or superior skill: an owner, employer, household head, teacher, leader, ship commander, or lord.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: The firmament or expanse above the earth, including the sky and the region of the sun, moon, stars, clouds, rain, and flying creatures. Sense 2: The realm above spoken of as God's throne and dwelling place, and as the place of angels, heavenly beings, and the righteous. Sense 3: By metonymy, God, heavenly authority or source, or those who dwell there.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
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Related Concepts
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heaven and eternal life
salvation
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Surrounding Verses
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1MASTERS, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
1¶ Masters, giue vnto your seruants that which is iust and equall, knowing that yee also haue a Master in heauen.
Selected passage2Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
2Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thankesgiuing: