Slavery,Authority & the Gospel
- Aug 5
- 5 min read
Under Authority: Working and Leading for Christ
One of the most important principles for reading Scripture is understanding that the Bible was written for us, but not originally to us.
Paul wrote Colossians to real people living in a real place, dealing with real cultural issues. That does not make the passage less relevant. It helps us understand how to apply it faithfully.
The Bible includes both descriptions and prescriptions.
Descriptions tell us what was happening in a particular culture or moment in history.
Prescriptions show us how God’s truth should shape the way we live.
In Colossians 3:22–4:1, Paul describes the reality of slavery in the Roman Empire and then gives Christians practical instruction for living under authority and exercising authority in a way that honors Christ.
Why Didn’t Paul Simply Condemn Slavery?
This is one of the first questions many people ask when reading this passage.
The Roman world was socially and economically dependent on slavery. Prisoners of war were commonly enslaved, children were born into slavery, and a significant percentage of the population lived as slaves. The early church did not possess the political or economic power to dismantle the entire Roman system.
Instead, the Gospel began transforming people from the inside out.
The church preached that enslavers were acting contrary to sound doctrine. Paul encouraged enslaved believers to pursue freedom when the opportunity was available. The message of Scripture taught the equal value, dignity, and accountability of every person before God.
Those truths would eventually undermine the foundations of slavery itself.
History also shows the opposite. In 1807, a heavily edited “Slave Bible” was produced that intentionally removed large portions of Scripture dealing with freedom, dignity, and equality. Its creators understood that if enslaved people read the full message of the Bible, they would find hope and recognize oppression for what it was.
The Gospel transforms institutions through transformed individuals.
Everyone Lives Under Authority
Although we do not live under the same system Paul was addressing, all of us live under some form of authority.
Employees have employers.
Students have teachers.
Athletes have coaches.
Church members have spiritual leaders.
Citizens have governmental authorities.
Paul’s central principle still applies:
Christ’s authority shapes our response to earthly authority.
God has established authority in our lives, even when those leaders are imperfect or do not share our faith.
That does not mean we obey instructions that violate God’s commands. When human authority directly contradicts God’s authority, God must come first.
But outside of that exception, believers are called to honor the authority God has allowed in their lives.
Who Are You When No One Is Watching?
Paul writes:
“Obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.”—Colossians 3:22
“Eyeservice” describes doing the right thing only while someone is watching.
It is like stopping at a stop sign only because a police car is nearby.
A person working through eyeservice may appear hardworking when the boss enters the room but becomes careless when the boss leaves.
Paul also warns against becoming a “people-pleaser”—someone who manipulates the impressions others have of them rather than acting with genuine integrity.
The Christian standard is different.
We work sincerely because our true authority is always present.
God sees the effort nobody notices.
He hears the conversations held behind closed doors.
He knows whether our motives are divided or sincere.
The quality of our work becomes an act of worship.
Their Mission Becomes Your Ambition
One of the sermon’s strongest applications was this:
When you are under authority, their mission becomes your ambition.
Employees do not exist to make the company serve their personal preferences.
Students are not above the assignments given by their teachers.
Team members do not strengthen the team by constantly resisting the coach.
This does not mean we never offer insight, ask questions, or express concerns. There is a difference between being a contributor and being a contrarian.
Contributors offer ideas in support of the mission.
Contrarians criticize in resistance to authority.
Some people begin to see opposition as their primary contribution. They resist nearly every idea that was not originally theirs.
But resistance does not automatically equal wisdom.
Sometimes the most faithful response is to support the person leading, complete the assignment, and serve the larger mission with a good attitude.
Work Heartily for the Lord
Paul continues:
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”—Colossians 3:23
This destroys the imaginary line between sacred work and secular work.
We often think worship happens only at church.
Paul says worship can happen in an office, a classroom, a workshop, a kitchen, or on a sports field.
Your attitude toward your teacher can honor God.
The quality of your work can honor God.
The way you speak about your employer can honor God.
The effort you give when nobody is watching can honor God.
Christians do not simply work for a paycheck, a grade, or human praise.
We work for Christ.
Integrity Means Giving What Is Owed
Paul’s instruction also includes a warning against “pilfering,” or secretly setting something aside for ourselves.
That can mean taking money or property.
But it can also include stealing time, withholding effort, falsifying expenses, or wasting the time of those responsible for leading us.
Integrity means giving the work, effort, and loyalty we agreed to give.
Paul calls believers to show “good fidelity”—dedication and trustworthiness.
That means viewing the organization’s success as something worth supporting rather than treating authority as an enemy to outsmart.
Christ’s Authority Defines Our Identity
When Christ is truly our Master, earthly approval loses some of its power over us.
We do not need constant praise from an employer to know our work matters.
We can remain faithful even when a teacher treats us unfairly.
We do not have to become discouraged when a boss is difficult to please.
We are not building our lives on temporary rewards.
We serve the Lord Christ.
Paul also reminds us that injustice does not escape God’s attention:
“Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.”—Colossians 3:25
Human systems may overlook wrongdoing.
God never does.
He is perfectly just, and He does not show favoritism.
Leadership Is Stewardship
Paul then turns from those under authority to those who possess it:
“Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.”—Colossians 4:1
Many of us are under authority in one part of life and exercise authority in another.
A manager may answer to an owner while leading employees.
A teacher may answer to administrators while leading students.
A coach may answer to a board while directing athletes.
A parent may answer to God while leading a family.
Paul’s message is clear:
Christ’s authority transforms leadership into stewardship.
Authority is not proof that we are more important than others.
It is something God has entrusted to us.
Christian leaders should therefore be fair, consistent, compassionate, and concerned for the well-being of those they lead.
Jesus is our example.
He possessed all authority, yet He used it to serve.
Final Takeaway
Whether we are following or leading, Christ remains the true authority over us.
When we are under authority, we work sincerely, support the mission, and give our best effort as worship to God.
When we are in authority, we remember that our power is entrusted, temporary, and accountable to Christ.
The question is not simply:
Who is over me?
Or:
Who is under me?
The deeper question is:
Does the way I respond to authority—and the way I exercise it—show that Jesus is truly my Lord?
This version keeps the historical explanation but centers the blog on the sermon’s practical themes of authority, integrity, work, and stewardship.
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