Episode 69: On parents and children

If Paul’s instruction to wives that they should submit to their husbands is controversial, so is his instruction to children, telling them to “obey [their] parents in everything” (Col 3:20). Some of us may have experienced how domineering or even abusive parents have used such a verse to lord it over their children. But once more, we need to read Paul’s words against the background of the culture the Colossians took for granted—and verse 20 cannot be separated from verse 21.

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.)