Colossians 3:22

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in every respect, not only when they are watching– like those who are strictly people-pleasers– but with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord.

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

  • Col 3:20 : 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing in the Lord.
  • Luke 6:46 : 46 “Why do you call me‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do what I tell you?
  • Eph 6:5-7 : 5 Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ, 6 not like those who do their work only when someone is watching– as people-pleasers– but as slaves of Christ doing the will of God from the heart. 7 Obey with enthusiasm, as though serving the Lord and not people,
  • Luke 7:8 : 8 For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me. I say to this one,‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another,‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave,‘Do this!’ and he does it.”
  • Acts 2:46 : 46 Every day they continued to gather together by common consent in the temple courts, breaking bread from house to house, sharing their food with glad and humble hearts,
  • 2 Cor 7:1 : 1 Self-Purification Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that could defile the body and the spirit, and thus accomplish holiness out of reverence for God.
  • Gal 1:10 : 10 Am I now trying to gain the approval of people, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ!
  • 1 Thess 2:4 : 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts.
  • 1 Tim 6:1-2 : 1 Those who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters as deserving of full respect. This will prevent the name of God and Christian teaching from being discredited. 2 But those who have believing masters must not show them less respect because they are brothers. Instead they are to serve all the more, because those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved. Summary of Timothy’s DutiesTeach them and exhort them about these things.
  • Titus 2:9-9 : 9 Slaves are to be subject to their own masters in everything, to do what is wanted and not talk back, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, in order to bring credit to the teaching of God our Savior in everything.
  • Phlm 1:16 : 16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a dear brother. He is especially so to me, and even more so to you now, both humanly speaking and in the Lord.
  • 1 Pet 2:18-19 : 18 Slaves, be subject to your masters with all reverence, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are perverse. 19 For this finds God’s favor, if because of conscience toward God someone endures hardships in suffering unjustly.
  • Gen 42:18 : 18 On the third day Joseph said to them,“Do as I say and you will live, for I fear God.
  • Neh 5:9 : 9 Then I said,“The thing that you are doing is wrong! Should you not conduct yourselves in the fear of our God in order to avoid the reproach of the Gentiles who are our enemies?
  • Neh 5:15 : 15 But the former governors who preceded me had burdened the people and had taken food and wine from them, in addition to forty shekels of silver. Their associates were also domineering over the people. But I did not behave in this way, due to my fear of God.
  • Ps 123:2 : 2 Look, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a female servant look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes will look to the LORD, our God, until he shows us favor.
  • Eccl 5:7 : 7 Just as there is futility in many dreams, so also in many words. Therefore, fear God!
  • Eccl 8:12 : 12 Even though a sinner might commit a hundred crimes and still live a long time, yet I know that it will go well with God-fearing people– for they stand in fear before him.
  • Eccl 12:13 : 13 Having heard everything, I have reached this conclusion: Fear God and keep his commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.
  • Mal 1:6 : 6 The Sacrilege of Priestly Service“A son naturally honors his father and a slave respects his master. If I am your father, where is my honor? If I am your master, where is my respect? The LORD of Heaven’s Armies asks you this, you priests who make light of my name! But you reply,‘How have we made light of your name?’
  • Matt 6:22 : 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If then your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.
  • Matt 8:9 : 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I say to this one,‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave‘Do this!’ and he does it.”

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • Eph 6:4-9
    6 verses
    90%

    4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but raise them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

    5Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ,

    6not like those who do their work only when someone is watching– as people-pleasers– but as slaves of Christ doing the will of God from the heart.

    7Obey with enthusiasm, as though serving the Lord and not people,

    8because you know that each person, whether slave or free, if he does something good, this will be rewarded by the Lord.

    9Masters, treat your slaves the same way, giving up the use of threats, because you know that both you and they have the same master in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

  • Col 3:23-24
    2 verses
    86%

    23Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people,

    24because you know that you will receive your inheritance from the Lord as the reward. Serve the Lord Christ.

  • Titus 2:9-10
    2 verses
    83%

    9Slaves are to be subject to their own masters in everything, to do what is wanted and not talk back,

    10not pilfering, but showing all good faith, in order to bring credit to the teaching of God our Savior in everything.

  • 1 Pet 2:15-18
    4 verses
    81%

    15For God wants you to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good.

    16Live as free people, not using your freedom as a pretext for evil, but as God’s slaves.

    17Honor all people, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the king.

    18Slaves, be subject to your masters with all reverence, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are perverse.

  • Col 4:1
    80%

    1Masters, treat your slaves with justice and fairness, because you know that you also have a master in heaven.

  • 1 Tim 6:1-2
    2 verses
    79%

    1Those who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters as deserving of full respect. This will prevent the name of God and Christian teaching from being discredited.

    2But those who have believing masters must not show them less respect because they are brothers. Instead they are to serve all the more, because those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved. Summary of Timothy’s DutiesTeach them and exhort them about these things.

  • Col 3:17-21
    5 verses
    77%

    17And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

    18Exhortation to Households Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

    19Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.

    20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing in the Lord.

    21Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become disheartened.

  • Rom 6:16
    73%

    16Do you not know that if you present yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or obedience resulting in righteousness?

  • Heb 13:17
    73%

    17Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls and will give an account for their work. Let them do this with joy and not with complaints, for this would be no advantage for you.

  • Titus 3:1
    72%

    1Conduct Toward Those Outside the Church Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work.

  • Eph 5:21-22
    2 verses
    72%

    21and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

    22Exhortations to Households Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord,

  • 1 Pet 3:1-2
    2 verses
    72%

    1Wives and Husbands In the same way, wives, be subject to your own husbands. Then, even if some are disobedient to the word, they will be won over without a word by the way you live,

    2when they see your pure and reverent conduct.

  • 1 Pet 3:5-6
    2 verses
    72%

    5For in the same way the holy women who hoped in God long ago adorned themselves by being subject to their husbands,

    6like Sarah who obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You become her children when you do what is good and have no fear in doing so.

  • 1 Pet 1:17
    72%

    17And if you address as Father the one who impartially judges according to each one’s work, live out the time of your temporary residence here in reverence.

  • 1 Cor 7:22-23
    2 verses
    71%

    22For the one who was called in the Lord as a slave is the Lord’s freedman. In the same way, the one who was called as a free person is Christ’s slave.

    23You were bought with a price. Do not become slaves of men.

  • Lev 25:43
    71%

    43You must not rule over him harshly, but you must fear your God.

  • 1 Pet 2:13
    70%

    13Submission to Authorities Be subject to every human institution for the Lord’s sake, whether to a king as supreme

  • 1 Sam 12:24
    70%

    24However, fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. Just look at the great things he has done for you!

  • 2 Cor 8:21
    70%

    21For we are concerned about what is right not only before the Lord but also before men.

  • Rom 12:11
    70%

    11Do not lag in zeal, be enthusiastic in spirit, serve the Lord.

  • Phil 2:12
    70%

    12Lights in the World So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence,

  • Exod 21:5
    70%

    5But if the servant should declare,‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’

  • Rom 13:3
    69%

    3(for rulers cause no fear for good conduct but for bad). Do you desire not to fear authority? Do good and you will receive its commendation

  • Rom 14:18
    69%

    18For the one who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by people.

  • Rom 13:5-7
    3 verses
    69%

    5Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath of the authorities but also because of your conscience.

    6For this reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants devoted to governing.

    7Pay everyone what is owed: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.

  • Ps 2:11
    69%

    11Serve the LORD in fear! Repent in terror!

  • 1 Pet 3:15
    69%

    15But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess.

  • 2 Tim 2:24
    69%

    24And the Lord’s slave must not engage in heated disputes but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient,

  • 1 Pet 5:3
    69%

    3And do not lord it over those entrusted to you, but be examples to the flock.