Bible Commentary

Colossians 3:20

The Pulpit Commentary on Colossians 3:20

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

To children, be obedient to your parents in all things; for this is well pleasing in the Lord (, ; ; ; Le ; . 22; , ).

In , "in all things" ( κατὰ πάντα, "in regard to all things") is wanting; and not the extent, but the intrinsic rightness of the command as it is found in the Decalogue is insisted on.

But here, where "Christ is all and in all" (), it is "in the Lord" (Revised Text) that the child's obedience is declared to be "well pleasing." There is something especially pleasing in the behaviour of a lovingly obedient child, that wins "favour" both "with God and man" ().

The law of filial obedience has its creative ground "in him" (), and is an essential part of the Christian order of life, which is the natural order restored and perfected. "Well pleasing" is a favourite word of St.

Paul's (comp. ; ; ; ; , etc.; used also in Hebrews).

Recommended reading

More for Colossians 3:20

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.