Episode 68: On wives and husbands

Paul has taught the Colossians to be people of compassion, humility, and love, and naturally he would expect to see their relationships at home reflect the same godly character. In Colossians 3:18-21, he has important pastoral counsel for wives and husbands, children and parents, beginning with the instruction to wives that they should “submit” to their husbands. To read this rightly, we need to also consider how the parallel passage in Ephesians 5 is often mis-read.

What is Chunks: Paul's Letter to the Colossians?

The church in the city of Colossae had recently been founded by one of the apostle Paul's colleagues; he had never met them personally. But he had heard of their faith and of some of the challenges that threatened to undermine that faith, including what seems to be the presence of false teachers who were leading them astray. Paul therefore writes to them from prison, lovingly encouraging them to realize the treasure they already have in the gospel. In so doing, he paints a magnificent and cosmic portrait of the Christ in whom they've already believed, and in whom they've been given a new and transformed nature. His words should help remind believers of every time and place that the Christ we worship is supreme. (Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture passages will be read from the New International Version.)