1
Εἰ οὖν συνηγέρθητε τῷ Χριστῷ, τὰ ἄνω ζητεῖτε, οὗ ὁ Χριστός ἐστιν ἐν δεξιᾷ τοῦ θεοῦ καθήμενος·
If then you were raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Inference / transitionοὖνThe pivot from doctrine (ch. 2) to ethics: 'if then you were raised' (a real condition assumed true) grounds the first great imperative — seek the things above. The risen Christ enthroned defines the believer's true location.
Εἰifconjunction (first-class condition, assumed true)εἰ: 'if'; with the indicative here it states a condition taken as fact — 'since, as is the case.'
οὖνtheninferential conjunctionοὖν: 'therefore, then'; draws the practical consequence of the believer's union with the risen Christ (2:12–13).
συνηγέρθητεyou were raised withAor Pass Indic 2 Pl · συνεγείρωmain verb (protasis)→ constative aoristσυνεγείρω: 'raise together with' (σύν + ἐγείρω); the believer's resurrection-with-Christ, a settled past fact (cf. 2:12).
τῷtheDativearticle
ΧριστῷChristDativedat. of association (with whom raised)Χριστός: 'Anointed,' Messiah; the one with whom believers are co-raised — union with him is the ground.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (substantizes adv.)
ἄνωthings aboveAccusativedirect object (substantized adverb)ἄνω: 'above, upward'; τὰ ἄνω = the heavenly realm where Christ reigns — the object of the believer's pursuit.
ζητεῖτεseekPres Act Impv 2 Pl · ζητέωmain verb (imperative, apodosis)→ customary present (habitual pursuit)ζητέω: 'seek, strive for'; the present imperative commands an ongoing, settled orientation, not a single act.
οὗwhererelative adverb of placeοὗ: 'where'; locates 'the things above' precisely — wherever Christ is enthroned.
ὁtheNominativearticle
ΧριστόςChristNominativesubject
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (rel. clause)→ stative present
ἐνatpreposition + dative (place)
δεξιᾷthe right handDativedat. of place (location of enthronement)δεξιά: 'right hand'; the position of supreme honor and authority — an allusion to Psalm 110:1, the enthroned Messiah.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of possession
καθήμενοςseatedPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · κάθημαιpredicate participle (with ἐστιν)→ stative present (settled posture)κάθημαι: 'sit, be seated'; the seated posture signals completed, reigning sovereignty — the session of Christ.
2
τὰ ἄνω φρονεῖτε, μὴ τὰ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.
Set your minds on the things above, not on the things on the earth.
Restatement / intensificationasyndetonAsyndeton sharpens the command of v.1: from 'seek' to 'set the mind' — the whole disposition, not merely the pursuit, is to be heavenward, with the negative foil 'not the things on earth.'
τὰtheAccusativearticle (substantizes adv.)
ἄνωthings aboveAccusativedirect object (substantized adverb)ἄνω: 'above'; repeated from v.1 for emphasis — the heavenly sphere as the mind's fixed orientation.
φρονεῖτεset your minds onPres Act Impv 2 Pl · φρονέωmain verb (imperative)→ customary present (continual disposition)φρονέω: 'think, set the mind on, be disposed toward'; not mere thought but a governing mindset and value-system.
μὴnotnegative particle (with implied imperative)μή: the negative used with non-indicative moods; bars the contrary orientation.
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantizes prep. phrase)
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (place)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
γῆςearthGenitiveobject of ἐπί (place)γῆ: 'earth, land'; here the earthly, transient sphere set against τὰ ἄνω — not creation as such but the self-centered horizon.
3
ἀπεθάνετε γάρ, καὶ ἡ ζωὴ ὑμῶν κέκρυπται σὺν τῷ Χριστῷ ἐν τῷ θεῷ·
For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Ground of the imperativesγάρThe reason the mind must be heavenward: a double indicative — you died (to the old order), and your true life is now hidden, secured with Christ in God. Identity is no longer 'on earth.'
ἀπεθάνετεyou diedAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb→ constative aorist (decisive event)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the believer's death-with-Christ to the old self and the elemental powers (2:20) — a finished fact.
γάρforexplanatory conjunctionγάρ: 'for'; grounds the commands of vv.1–2 in the believer's accomplished death and hidden life.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἡtheNominativearticle
ζωὴlifeNominativesubjectζωή: 'life'; here the believer's true, resurrection life — its present reality concealed, its disclosure future (v.4).
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
κέκρυπταιis hiddenPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · κρύπτωmain verb→ intensive perfect (settled, secure state)κρύπτω: 'hide, conceal'; the perfect stresses an abiding condition — the life is safely stored away, both secret and secure.
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (association)
τῷtheDativearticle
ΧριστῷChristDativeobject of σύν (association)Χριστός: the locus of the hidden life — bound up with Christ, where he is.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῷtheDativearticle
θεῷGodDativedat. of sphere (where the life is kept)θεός: God; the ultimate safe-keeping — the life is hidden 'in God,' beyond reach of the world's powers.
4
ὅταν ὁ Χριστὸς φανερωθῇ, ἡ ζωὴ ὑμῶν, τότε καὶ ὑμεῖς σὺν αὐτῷ φανερωθήσεσθε ἐν δόξῃ.
When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Eschatological promiseὅτανThe hidden life has an appointed unveiling: when Christ — identified outright as 'your life' — is revealed, believers will be revealed with him in glory. The present concealment yields to future manifestation.
ὅτανwhentemporal conjunction (with subjunctive)ὅταν: 'whenever, when' (ὅτε + ἄν); marks an indefinite-but-certain future occasion — the parousia.
ὁtheNominativearticle
ΧριστὸςChristNominativesubject
φανερωθῇappearsAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · φανερόωmain verb (temporal clause)→ constative aorist (the appearing as event)φανερόω: 'make visible, reveal'; the future manifestation of the now-hidden Christ at his coming.
ἡtheNominativearticle
ζωὴlifeNominativeapposition to ὁ Χριστόςζωή: 'life'; Christ is not merely the giver but the very substance of the believer's life — 'your life' in person.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationship
τότεthenadverb of time (correlative w/ ὅταν)τότε: 'then, at that time'; answers ὅταν — the moment of joint manifestation.
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive)
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (association)
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of σύν (association)
φανερωθήσεσθεyou will appearFut Pass Indic 2 Pl · φανερόωmain verb (apodosis)→ predictive futureφανερόω: 'be made manifest'; the believers' future glorification — revealed together with Christ.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner/sphere)
δόξῃgloryDativedat. of manner/sphereδόξα: 'glory, splendor'; the radiant, honored state shared with the glorified Christ.
5
Νεκρώσατε οὖν τὰ μέλη τὰ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, πορνείαν, ἀκαθαρσίαν, πάθος, ἐπιθυμίαν κακήν, καὶ τὴν πλεονεξίαν ἥτις ἐστὶν εἰδωλολατρία,
Put to death therefore the members that are on the earth: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Inference → first ethical commandοὖνFrom the indicative of death-and-hidden-life flows the imperative: make actual in conduct what is true in status — kill the earthly members. A vice-list of sexual sin culminates in greed, branded idolatry.
Νεκρώσατεput to deathAor Act Impv 2 Pl · νεκρόωmain verb (imperative)→ constative aorist (decisive, urgent act)νεκρόω: 'put to death, mortify' (from νεκρός, 'dead'); the aorist demands a decisive reckoning, not gradual taming.
οὖνthereforeinferential conjunctionοὖν: 'therefore'; the ethical 'so then' that turns the indicative of vv.1–4 into command.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
μέληmembersAccusativedirect objectμέλος: 'member, bodily part'; by metonymy the earthbound faculties/appetites — the sins that work through the body.
τὰthat areAccusativearticle (attributive, w/ prep. phrase)
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (place)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
γῆςearthGenitiveobject of ἐπί (place)γῆ: 'earth'; deliberately echoing v.2 — the very 'things on earth' now named as the members to be slain.
πορνείανsexual immoralityAccusativeapposition (specifies τὰ μέλη)πορνεία: 'sexual immorality, fornication'; the generic term for illicit sexual activity, heading the list.
ἀκαθαρσίανimpurityAccusativeappositionἀκαθαρσία: 'uncleanness, impurity' (ἀ- + καθαρός); moral filth, especially sexual, broader than the overt act.
πάθοςpassionAccusativeappositionπάθος: 'passion'; uncontrolled lustful emotion — the disordered drive itself, not yet acted out.
ἐπιθυμίανdesireAccusativeappositionἐπιθυμία: 'desire, craving'; neutral in itself, here pointedly qualified as 'evil.'
κακήνevilAccusativeattributive adjectiveκακός: 'bad, evil'; marks the craving as morally corrupt — covetous, lawless longing.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
πλεονεξίανcovetousnessAccusativeapposition (climactic, with article)πλεονεξία: 'greed, the grasping for more' (πλέον + ἔχω); the insatiable appetite that displaces God — set apart by the article.
ἥτιςwhichNominativerelative pronoun (qualitative)ὅστις: the qualitative relative — 'which very thing, being of such a kind'; introduces a defining equation.
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula, rel. clause)→ stative present
εἰδωλολατρίαidolatryNominativepredicate nominativeεἰδωλολατρία: 'idol-worship' (εἴδωλον + λατρεία); greed is idolatry because it enthrones possessions in God's place.
6
δι' ἃ ἔρχεται ἡ ὀργὴ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐπὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς τῆς ἀπειθείας·
On account of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience.
Motivation: divine wrathδι' ἃA sobering ground for mortification: these very sins draw down God's wrath upon the disobedient — a reminder of what the Colossians were rescued from.
δι'on account ofpreposition + accusative (cause)διά + acc.: 'because of, on account of'; the vices of v.5 are the cause of the coming wrath.
ἃwhich thingsAccusativerelative pronoun (object of διά)
ἔρχεταιis comingPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb→ futuristic present (certain, impending)ἔρχομαι: 'come'; the present pictures the wrath as already on its way — its arrival sure.
ἡtheNominativearticle
ὀργὴwrathNominativesubjectὀργή: 'wrath'; God's settled judicial response to sin, not capricious anger (cf. Rom 1:18).
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of source/possession
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativeobject of ἐπίυἱός: 'son'; a Semitic idiom — 'sons of disobedience' = those characterized by, belonging to, disobedience.
τῆςofGenitivearticle
ἀπειθείαςdisobedienceGenitiveattributive genitive (quality)ἀπείθεια: 'disobedience, refusal to be persuaded' (ἀ- + πείθω); willful unbelief that defies God's truth.
7
ἐν οἷς καὶ ὑμεῖς περιεπατήσατέ ποτε, ὅτε ἐζῆτε ἐν τούτοις·
In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.
Then-and-now contrastἐν οἷςThe 'once' of their past: the readers themselves walked in these very sins. The reminder of former bondage heightens the call to put them off.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
οἷςwhichDativerelative pronoun (object of ἐν)
καὶtooadverbial (ascensive)
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
περιεπατήσατέwalkedAor Act Indic 2 Pl · περιπατέωmain verb→ constative aorist (past manner of life)περιπατέω: 'walk about'; a Jewish-Christian metaphor for one's whole manner of living (halakah).
ποτεoncetemporal particle (former time)ποτέ: 'formerly, once'; the 'once' of the then-and-now scheme — their pre-conversion past.
ὅτεwhentemporal conjunction
ἐζῆτεyou were livingImpf Act Indic 2 Pl · ζάωmain verb (temporal clause)→ customary imperfect (habitual past life)ζάω: 'live'; the imperfect depicts the ongoing pattern of their former existence among these vices.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τούτοιςthemDativedemonstrative pronoun (object of ἐν)
8
νυνὶ δὲ ἀπόθεσθε καὶ ὑμεῖς τὰ πάντα, ὀργήν, θυμόν, κακίαν, βλασφημίαν, αἰσχρολογίαν ἐκ τοῦ στόματος ὑμῶν·
But now you also must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, foul talk from your mouth.
The decisive 'but now'νυνὶ δὲThe pivot of the then-and-now scheme: 'but now' the past must be discarded. A second vice-list turns from sexual sin to the sins of temper and tongue.
νυνὶnowadverb of time (emphatic)νυνί: the emphatic form of νῦν, 'now'; the eschatological/ethical 'now' answering the 'once' of v.7.
δὲbutadversative conjunctionδέ: 'but, and'; marks the sharp contrast between the former life and present obligation.
ἀπόθεσθεput awayAor Mid Impv 2 Pl · ἀποτίθημιmain verb (imperative)→ constative aorist (decisive renunciation)ἀποτίθημι (mid.): 'put off, lay aside' — as one strips off a garment; the clothing-metaphor that runs through vv.9–14.
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive)
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
τὰtheAccusativearticle
πάνταall thingsAccusativedirect object (substantival adj.)πᾶς: 'all'; τὰ πάντα = 'the whole lot of them' — the sins now itemized.
ὀργήνangerAccusativeapposition (specifies τὰ πάντα)ὀργή: here human 'anger' — settled, smoldering resentment (contrast the divine ὀργή of v.6).
θυμόνwrathAccusativeappositionθυμός: 'rage, passion'; the hot outburst of temper, as distinct from ὀργή's brooding anger.
κακίανmaliceAccusativeappositionκακία: 'malice, ill-will, depravity'; the vicious disposition that wills harm to others.
βλασφημίανslanderAccusativeappositionβλασφημία: 'slander, abusive speech, blasphemy'; injurious speech against people or God.
αἰσχρολογίανfoul talkAccusativeappositionαἰσχρολογία: 'obscene/filthy speech' (αἰσχρός + λόγος); shameful, abusive language — a NT hapax.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
στόματοςmouthGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)στόμα: 'mouth'; the organ of the speech-sins — what comes out of it must be put away.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
9
μὴ ψεύδεσθε εἰς ἀλλήλους, ἀπεκδυσάμενοι τὸν παλαιὸν ἄνθρωπον σὺν ταῖς πράξεσιν αὐτοῦ,
Do not lie to one another, since you have stripped off the old self with its practices,
Prohibition + groundasyndetonA pointed prohibition against the community-destroying lie, grounded in an accomplished fact: you stripped off the old man. The aorist participle gives the basis for the present command.
μὴnotnegative particle (with imperative)
ψεύδεσθεliePres Mid Impv 2 Pl · ψεύδομαιmain verb (prohibition)→ customary present (stop / do not make a practice)ψεύδομαι: 'lie, speak falsely'; the present prohibition forbids the ongoing practice of deceit.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
ἀλλήλουςone anotherAccusativereciprocal pronoun (object of εἰς)ἀλλήλων: 'one another'; the lie attacks the very mutuality of the body of Christ.
ἀπεκδυσάμενοιhaving stripped offAor Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀπεκδύομαιcausal/attendant-circumstance participle→ constative aorist (decisive past act)ἀπεκδύομαι: 'strip off completely, undress' (double prefix ἀπό + ἐκ); the believer has divested the old self like a discarded garment.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
παλαιὸνoldAccusativeattributive adjectiveπαλαιός: 'old, former'; the pre-conversion humanity, fallen and Adamic.
ἄνθρωπονself/manAccusativedirect object (of participle)ἄνθρωπος: 'human being'; 'the old man/self' — the whole former identity in Adam (cf. Rom 6:6; Eph 4:22).
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (accompaniment)
ταῖςtheDativearticle
πράξεσινpracticesDativeobject of σύν (accompaniment)πρᾶξις: 'deed, practice'; the habitual doings of the old self — discarded along with it.
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession
10
καὶ ἐνδυσάμενοι τὸν νέον τὸν ἀνακαινούμενον εἰς ἐπίγνωσιν κατ' εἰκόνα τοῦ κτίσαντος αὐτόν,
and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator.
The positive counterpartκαὶThe other half of the clothing-act: having stripped off the old, you put on the new self — one continually renewed toward true knowledge after the Creator's image. The Adam/new-creation contrast surfaces.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνδυσάμενοιhaving put onAor Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἐνδύωcausal/attendant-circumstance participle→ constative aorist (decisive past act)ἐνδύω (mid.): 'put on, clothe oneself'; the counterpart to ἀπεκδύομαι — donning the new humanity like a garment.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
νέονnew (self)Accusativedirect object (substantival adj.)νέος: 'new, young, fresh'; the new self — freshly come into being, in contrast to the παλαιός of v.9.
τὸνthe (one)Accusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἀνακαινούμενονbeing renewedPres Pass Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · ἀνακαινόωattributive participle→ present (ongoing process)ἀνακαινόω: 'renew, make new again' (ἀνά + καινός); the present marks a continual renewal — the new self is progressively transformed.
εἰςinpreposition + accusative (goal/result)
ἐπίγνωσινknowledgeAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal of renewal)ἐπίγνωσις: 'full knowledge, recognition' (ἐπί-intensive + γνῶσις); the deep knowledge of God lost in the fall, restored in the new self — pointed against the Colossian error.
κατ'afterpreposition + accusative (standard/pattern)
εἰκόναthe imageAccusativeobject of κατά (pattern)εἰκών: 'image, likeness'; an echo of Genesis 1:27 — the new humanity reshaped to the divine image (cf. Christ as εἰκών, 1:15).
τοῦof the (one)Genitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
κτίσαντοςwho createdAor Act Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · κτίζωsubstantival participle (genitive)→ constative aoristκτίζω: 'create'; 'the one who created him' — God the Creator, whose image the new self bears (Gen 1).
αὐτόνitAccusativedirect object (of κτίσαντος)
11
ὅπου οὐκ ἔνι Ἕλλην καὶ Ἰουδαῖος, περιτομὴ καὶ ἀκροβυστία, βάρβαρος, Σκύθης, δοῦλος, ἐλεύθερος, ἀλλὰ τὰ πάντα καὶ ἐν πᾶσιν Χριστός.
Here there is no Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Consequence: a new humanityὅπουIn this renewed humanity the old divisions collapse — ethnic, religious, cultural, social. The climax is christological: Christ is all and in all, the sole defining reality.
ὅπουwhererelative adverb of place (sphere of the new self)ὅπου: 'where'; locates the truth that follows within the renewed humanity of v.10.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔνιthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔνειμι (ἔνι)main verb (existential)→ gnomic present (abiding truth)ἔνι: a shortened form (= ἔνεστι) meaning 'there is, exists'; 'there is no place for' these distinctions.
ἝλληνGreekNominativepredicate nominativeἝλλην: 'Greek'; the Gentile, here representing the ethnic-cultural divide with the Jew.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἸουδαῖοςJewNominativepredicate nominativeἸουδαῖος: 'Jew'; the covenant people — the ethnic-religious distinction abolished in Christ.
περιτομὴcircumcisedNominativepredicate nominative (abstract for concrete)περιτομή: 'circumcision'; by metonymy 'the circumcised' — religious-ritual status, a live issue at Colossae (2:11).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀκροβυστίαuncircumcisedNominativepredicate nominativeἀκροβυστία: 'uncircumcision, foreskin'; the Gentile state — paired with περιτομή.
βάρβαροςbarbarianNominativepredicate nominativeβάρβαρος: 'non-Greek-speaker'; the cultural outsider in Greek eyes.
ΣκύθηςScythianNominativepredicate nominativeΣκύθης: 'Scythian'; proverbially the most savage of barbarians — the lowest rung of the cultural ladder.
δοῦλοςslaveNominativepredicate nominativeδοῦλος: 'slave'; the social-legal distinction — pointed, given the slave/master code that follows (3:22–4:1).
ἐλεύθεροςfreeNominativepredicate nominativeἐλεύθερος: 'free (person)'; the free citizen, paired with δοῦλος.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction (strong)ἀλλά: 'but, rather'; sets the christological reality against all the abolished distinctions.
τὰtheNominativearticle
πάνταall thingsNominativepredicate nominative (substantival adj.)πᾶς: 'all'; τὰ πάντα — Christ is the totality, the sum of all that matters.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
πᾶσινallDativeobject of ἐν (substantival adj.)πᾶς: 'all'; 'in all' — Christ indwells and unites the whole new humanity, regardless of former category.
ΧριστόςChristNominativesubject (climactic)Χριστός: the climax — Christ alone is the all-defining, all-pervading reality of the new humanity.
12
Ἐνδύσασθε οὖν ὡς ἐκλεκτοὶ τοῦ θεοῦ, ἅγιοι καὶ ἠγαπημένοι, σπλάγχνα οἰκτιρμοῦ, χρηστότητα, ταπεινοφροσύνην, πραΰτητα, μακροθυμίαν,
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience,
Inference → positive commandοὖνResuming the clothing-metaphor as an imperative: since you are God's elect, holy, beloved, put on the virtues of the new self. A list of five graces governs community life.
Ἐνδύσασθεput onAor Mid Impv 2 Pl · ἐνδύωmain verb (imperative)→ constative aorist (decisive clothing)ἐνδύω (mid.): 'clothe oneself, put on'; the imperative makes explicit the obligation implicit in v.10's indicative.
οὖνtheninferential conjunctionοὖν: 'therefore'; draws the practical consequence of the new identity (vv.10–11).
ὡςascomparative particle (causal nuance)ὡς: 'as'; introduces the identity that grounds the command — 'inasmuch as you are.'
ἐκλεκτοὶchosen onesNominativepredicate nom. (in apposition to subject)ἐκλεκτός: 'chosen, elect'; covenant-election language (Israel's titles) now applied to the church.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive (of the one choosing)
ἅγιοιholyNominativeapposition (to ἐκλεκτοί)ἅγιος: 'holy, set apart'; their consecrated standing — a second covenant epithet.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἠγαπημένοιbelovedPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀγαπάωsubstantival participle (apposition)→ intensive perfect (abiding state of being loved)ἀγαπάω: 'love'; the perfect passive — those who have been and remain loved by God, echoing the Beloved (1:13).
σπλάγχναa heartAccusativedirect object (of Ἐνδύσασθε)σπλάγχνα: lit. 'inward parts, bowels'; the Hebraic seat of deep emotion — 'a heart of...' tender feeling.
οἰκτιρμοῦof compassionGenitiveattributive (descriptive) genitiveοἰκτιρμός: 'compassion, pity, mercy'; σπλάγχνα οἰκτιρμοῦ = 'a heart of mercy' — heartfelt compassion.
χρηστότηταkindnessAccusativedirect object (coordinate)χρηστότης: 'kindness, goodness'; gracious, benevolent disposition toward others (cf. God's kindness, Rom 2:4).
ταπεινοφροσύνηνhumilityAccusativedirect object (coordinate)ταπεινοφροσύνη: 'lowliness of mind, humility'; a Christian virtue (here genuine, unlike the false 'humility' of 2:18, 23).
πραΰτηταgentlenessAccusativedirect object (coordinate)πραΰτης: 'gentleness, meekness'; strength under control, the absence of harshness.
μακροθυμίανpatienceAccusativedirect object (coordinate)μακροθυμία: 'longsuffering, patience' (μακρός + θυμός); 'long-tempered' endurance of provocation — bridging to v.13.
13
ἀνεχόμενοι ἀλλήλων καὶ χαριζόμενοι ἑαυτοῖς ἐάν τις πρός τινα ἔχῃ μομφήν· καθὼς καὶ ὁ κύριος ἐχαρίσατο ὑμῖν οὕτως καὶ ὑμεῖς·
bearing with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Manner of the new clothingasyndetonTwo participles spell out how the virtues operate: forbearance and mutual forgiveness. The measure and motive is the Lord's own forgiveness — grace received becomes grace extended.
ἀνεχόμενοιbearing withPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀνέχομαιparticiple of manner/means (w/ Ἐνδύσασθε)→ present (ongoing conduct)ἀνέχομαι: 'bear with, endure, put up with'; patient tolerance of others' faults.
ἀλλήλωνone anotherGenitivereciprocal pronoun (object of ἀνεχόμενοι)ἀλλήλων: 'one another'; the mutual object of forbearance within the body.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
χαριζόμενοιforgivingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · χαρίζομαιparticiple of manner/means→ present (ongoing conduct)χαρίζομαι: 'give freely, forgive graciously' (from χάρις, 'grace'); to forgive as an act of grace, not mere pardon.
ἑαυτοῖςeach otherDativereflexive pron. (reciprocal sense; indir. obj.)ἑαυτοῦ: the reflexive used reciprocally here — 'among yourselves, one another.'
ἐάνifconjunction (third-class condition)ἐάν: 'if' (+ subjunctive); a hypothetical case — should a grievance arise.
τιςanyoneNominativeindefinite pronoun (subject of ἔχῃ)τις: 'someone, anyone'; the indefinite party with a grievance.
πρόςagainstpreposition + accusative (relation)
τιναanotherAccusativeindefinite pronoun (object of πρός)τις: 'someone'; the second indefinite party — the one complained against.
ἔχῃhasPres Act Subj 3 Sg · ἔχωmain verb (protasis, subjunctive)→ present (general condition)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; here 'have a complaint' — to hold a grievance.
μομφήνa complaintAccusativedirect objectμομφή: 'blame, cause for complaint, grievance'; a NT hapax — a legitimate ground of grievance.
καθὼςascomparative conjunction (standard)καθώς: 'just as'; sets the Lord's forgiveness as the measure and pattern of ours.
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive)
ὁtheNominativearticle
κύριοςLordNominativesubjectκύριος: 'Lord'; here Christ, whose gracious forgiveness is the prototype for the believers'.
ἐχαρίσατοforgaveAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · χαρίζομαιmain verb (comparative clause)→ constative aorist (the once-for-all forgiveness)χαρίζομαι: 'forgive graciously'; the Lord's decisive act of grace toward the believers — the ground of all mutual pardon.
ὑμῖνyouDativeindirect object
οὕτωςsoadverb (correlative w/ καθώς)οὕτως: 'thus, so'; completes the comparison — 'so also you (must do).'
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive)
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (verb 'forgive' implied)
14
ἐπὶ πᾶσιν δὲ τούτοις τὴν ἀγάπην, ὅ ἐστιν σύνδεσμος τῆς τελειότητος.
And above all these put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
Crowning virtueδὲOver all the garments of v.12, one more: love, the outer garment that binds the rest into mature unity. Love is the integrating bond of the whole.
ἐπὶabove/uponpreposition + dative (addition, 'on top of')ἐπί + dat.: 'upon, in addition to'; love is donned 'over all these' — the outermost garment.
πᾶσινallDativeattributive adjective
δὲandconnective conjunction
τούτοιςtheseDativedemonstrative (object of ἐπί)οὗτος: 'this'; refers back to the virtues of vv.12–13.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἀγάπηνloveAccusativedirect object (ἐνδύσασθε implied)ἀγάπη: 'love'; self-giving, others-directed love — the supreme Christian virtue that completes the rest.
ὅwhichNominativerelative pronoun (neuter, by sense)ὅς: the relative here neuter, summing up the idea of love as a whole — 'which thing.'
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
σύνδεσμοςthe bondNominativepredicate nominativeσύνδεσμος: 'bond, that which binds together' (σύν + δέω); love is the ligament holding the virtues — and the body — together (cf. 2:19).
τῆςofGenitivearticle
τελειότητοςperfectionGenitivegenitive (of result/quality)τελειότης: 'perfection, completeness, maturity'; love binds all into mature wholeness — 'the perfect bond.'
15
καὶ ἡ εἰρήνη τοῦ Χριστοῦ βραβευέτω ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν, εἰς ἣν καὶ ἐκλήθητε ἐν ἑνὶ σώματι· καὶ εὐχάριστοι γίνεσθε.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Governing peaceκαὶChrist's peace is to umpire the heart's disputes; it is the peace into which they were called as one body. A first call to thankfulness rounds off the appeal.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἡtheNominativearticle
εἰρήνηpeaceNominativesubjectεἰρήνη: 'peace'; the Hebrew šālôm — wholeness and reconciliation that Christ gives, both with God and within the body.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ΧριστοῦChristGenitivegenitive of source/authorΧριστός: 'the peace of Christ' — the peace he procured and bestows (cf. 1:20).
βραβευέτωlet rulePres Act Impv 3 Sg · βραβεύωmain verb (3rd-person imperative)→ customary present (continual governing)βραβεύω: 'act as umpire, arbitrate, decide' (from βραβεύς, the games' referee); peace is to render the verdict in inner conflicts.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ταῖςtheDativearticle
καρδίαιςheartsDativedat. of sphere (locus of rule)καρδία: 'heart'; the inner person — mind, will, and affections — where peace is to govern.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εἰς)
καὶindeedadverbial (emphatic)
ἐκλήθητεyou were calledAor Pass Indic 2 Pl · καλέωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aorist (the effectual call)καλέω: 'call'; the divine summons into the realm of peace — the call that created the church.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/manner)
ἑνὶoneDativeattributive adjective (cardinal)εἷς: 'one'; the unity of the one body — the corporate sphere of the call.
σώματιbodyDativedat. of sphereσῶμα: 'body'; the church as Christ's one body (cf. 1:18) — the context in which peace is to reign.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εὐχάριστοιthankfulNominativepredicate adjective (w/ γίνεσθε)εὐχάριστος: 'thankful, grateful'; the grateful disposition that befits the called — a NT hapax.
γίνεσθεbePres Mid Impv 2 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb (imperative)→ customary present (be habitually)γίνομαι: 'become, be'; 'keep on becoming thankful' — gratitude as a continual posture.
16
ὁ λόγος τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐνοικείτω ἐν ὑμῖν πλουσίως, ἐν πάσῃ σοφίᾳ διδάσκοντες καὶ νουθετοῦντες ἑαυτοὺς ψαλμοῖς, ὕμνοις, ᾠδαῖς πνευματικαῖς ἐν χάριτι, ᾄδοντες ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν τῷ θεῷ·
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with grace singing in your hearts to God.
Indwelling wordasyndetonThe corporate counterpart to v.15: let Christ's word take up rich residence, overflowing in mutual instruction and worshipful song. Teaching and praise are one Spirit-filled act of the community.
ὁtheNominativearticle
λόγοςwordNominativesubjectλόγος: 'word, message'; the gospel message of/about Christ — to indwell the community.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ΧριστοῦChristGenitivegenitive (objective/source)Χριστός: 'the word of Christ' — either the word about him or his own teaching; the gospel embodied in his message.
ἐνοικείτωlet dwellPres Act Impv 3 Sg · ἐνοικέωmain verb (3rd-person imperative)→ customary present (continual indwelling)ἐνοικέω: 'dwell in, inhabit' (ἐν + οἰκέω); the word is to be a resident, not a visitor — at home in them.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν
πλουσίωςrichlyadverb (manner)πλουσίως: 'richly, abundantly' (from πλοῦτος, 'wealth'); the word is to dwell in lavish fullness.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner)
πάσῃallDativeattributive adjective
σοφίᾳwisdomDativedat. of mannerσοφία: 'wisdom'; the true wisdom found in Christ (2:3), governing the teaching — over against the false 'wisdom' at Colossae.
διδάσκοντεςteachingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · διδάσκωparticiple of means/manner→ present (ongoing activity)διδάσκω: 'teach, instruct'; the positive imparting of truth within the body.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
νουθετοῦντεςadmonishingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · νουθετέωparticiple of means/manner→ present (ongoing activity)νουθετέω: 'admonish, warn, set right the mind' (νοῦς + τίθημι); corrective counsel, the disciplinary side of teaching.
ἑαυτοὺςone anotherAccusativereflexive (reciprocal sense; object)ἑαυτοῦ: reflexive used reciprocally — 'one another'; the mutual ministry of the whole congregation.
ψαλμοῖςwith psalmsDativedat. of means/instrumentψαλμός: 'psalm'; a sung composition, likely the OT Psalter — sung praise as a vehicle of teaching.
ὕμνοιςhymnsDativedat. of means/instrumentὕμνος: 'hymn'; a song of praise to God — perhaps early Christian compositions (cf. 1:15–20).
ᾠδαῖςsongsDativedat. of means/instrumentᾠδή: 'song, ode'; a general term for sung music, here qualified as 'spiritual.'
πνευματικαῖςspiritualDativeattributive adjectiveπνευματικός: 'spiritual'; Spirit-prompted or Spirit-pertaining — songs that arise from and express the Spirit's work.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (manner)
χάριτιgrace/thankfulnessDativedat. of mannerχάρις: 'grace, gratitude'; ἐν χάριτι — either 'with thankfulness' or 'with grace/gracefulness' in the heart's song.
ᾄδοντεςsingingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ᾄδωparticiple of manner→ present (ongoing activity)ᾄδω: 'sing'; the worship directed Godward, from the heart.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ταῖςtheDativearticle
καρδίαιςheartsDativedat. of sphere (locus of song)καρδία: 'heart'; the worship is heartfelt, not merely vocal — sung 'in your hearts.'
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
τῷtheDativearticle
θεῷGodDativedat. of recipient (the addressee of praise)θεός: God; the ultimate audience of the worshipful song.
17
καὶ πᾶν ὅ τι ἐὰν ποιῆτε ἐν λόγῳ ἢ ἐν ἔργῳ, πάντα ἐν ὀνόματι κυρίου Ἰησοῦ, εὐχαριστοῦντες τῷ θεῷ πατρὶ δι' αὐτοῦ.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Summary principleκαὶThe comprehensive rule that caps the section: the whole of life — word and deed alike — is to be done in Jesus' name, with thanksgiving to the Father. Christ's lordship sanctifies everything, leading into the household code.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πᾶνeverythingAccusativedirect object (proleptic, resumed by πάντα)πᾶς: 'all, every'; the all-inclusive scope — every single thing.
ὅwhat-Accusativerelative pronoun (w/ τι, ἐάν: 'whatever')
τι-everAccusativeindefinite pronoun (w/ ὅ: 'whatever')ὅ τι ἐάν: 'whatever' — a fully generalizing relative, leaving nothing out.
ἐὰνeverparticle (generalizing, w/ subjunctive)
ποιῆτεyou doPres Act Subj 2 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (indefinite rel. clause)→ customary present (whatever you habitually do)ποιέω: 'do, make'; the whole field of action falls under the rule.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
λόγῳwordDativedat. of sphereλόγος: 'word, speech'; the realm of what is said.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ἔργῳdeedDativedat. of sphereἔργον: 'work, deed'; the realm of what is done — word and deed together = the whole of life.
πάνταeverythingAccusativedirect object (resumes πᾶν; verb 'do' implied)πᾶς: 'all'; resumes the opening πᾶν after the parenthesis — 'do it all.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/authority)
ὀνόματιthe nameDativedat. of sphere (under his authority/representation)ὄνομα: 'name'; to act 'in the name of' is to act as his representative, under his authority and for his honor.
κυρίουof the LordGenitivegenitive of possessionκύριος: 'Lord'; the title whose recurrence will dominate the household code (vv.18, 20, 22–24).
ἸησοῦJesusGenitivegenitive in apposition to κυρίου
εὐχαριστοῦντεςgiving thanksPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · εὐχαριστέωparticiple of manner/attendant circumstance→ present (ongoing accompaniment)εὐχαριστέω: 'give thanks'; the third call to gratitude in the section (cf. vv.15, 16) — the keynote of the new life.
τῷtheDativearticle
θεῷto GodDativeindirect object (recipient of thanks)
πατρὶthe FatherDativeapposition to θεῷπατήρ: 'Father'; God named as Father, the recipient of thanksgiving offered through the Son.
δι'throughpreposition + genitive (mediation)
αὐτοῦhimGenitiveobject of διά (the mediator)αὐτοῦ: 'him' = Christ; all thanksgiving to the Father is mediated through the Son.
18
Αἱ γυναῖκες, ὑποτάσσεσθε τοῖς ἀνδράσιν, ὡς ἀνῆκεν ἐν κυρίῳ.
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Household code: wivesasyndetonThe household code (Haustafel) begins, addressing the subordinate member first. The wife's submission is qualified 'in the Lord' — Christian, voluntary, and bounded by Christ's lordship, not mere social convention.
ΑἱtheNominativearticle (with vocatival nominative)
γυναῖκεςwivesNominativenominative of address (for vocative)γυνή: 'woman, wife'; here the wives, addressed first in the code.
ὑποτάσσεσθεsubmitPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · ὑποτάσσωmain verb (imperative)→ customary present (continual disposition)ὑποτάσσω (mid.): 'subject oneself, submit' (ὑπό + τάσσω, a military 'rank under'); voluntary ordering of oneself, the middle stressing willing self-submission.
τοῖςtheDativearticle
ἀνδράσινhusbandsDativedat. of submission (to whom)ἀνήρ: 'man, husband'; the husbands, to whom the submission is directed — likely 'their own' (cf. the variant).
ὡςascomparative particleὡς: 'as'; introduces the standard of fittingness.
ἀνῆκενis fittingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνήκωmain verb (impersonal)→ customary imperfect (what was/is proper)ἀνήκω: 'be fitting, be proper'; the idiomatic imperfect ('as was fitting') expresses an abiding propriety.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
κυρίῳthe LordDativedat. of sphere (the Christian frame)κύριος: 'Lord'; the refrain of the code — the relationship is reframed within union with Christ.
19
Οἱ ἄνδρες, ἀγαπᾶτε τὰς γυναῖκας καὶ μὴ πικραίνεσθε πρὸς αὐτάς.
Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.
Household code: husbandsasyndetonThe reciprocal address to husbands: not power but self-giving love, with a pointed negative — no bitterness. The duty is heavier than the culture's, transforming authority into care.
ΟἱtheNominativearticle (with vocatival nominative)
ἄνδρεςhusbandsNominativenominative of address (for vocative)ἀνήρ: 'man, husband'; the husbands, now addressed in turn.
ἀγαπᾶτεlovePres Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀγαπάωmain verb (imperative)→ customary present (continual love)ἀγαπάω: 'love'; self-giving love (ἀγάπη) commanded as the husband's defining duty — not domination.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
γυναῖκαςwivesAccusativedirect objectγυνή: 'woman, wife'; the wives, here the objects of the husbands' love.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μὴnotnegative particle (with imperative)
πικραίνεσθεbe harshPres Pass Impv 2 Pl · πικραίνωmain verb (prohibition)→ customary present (do not be/become embittered)πικραίνω: 'make bitter, embitter' (from πικρός, 'bitter'); pass. 'be bitter/harsh' — no resentful, sharp treatment of the wife.
πρὸςtowardpreposition + accusative (relation)
αὐτάςthemAccusativeobject of πρός
20
Τὰ τέκνα, ὑπακούετε τοῖς γονεῦσιν κατὰ πάντα, τοῦτο γὰρ εὐάρεστόν ἐστιν ἐν κυρίῳ.
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing in the Lord.
Household code: childrenasyndetonThe second pair: children's obedience 'in everything,' motivated by what pleases the Lord. Domestic obedience is reframed as worship rendered to Christ.
ΤὰtheNominativearticle (with vocatival nominative)
τέκναchildrenNominativenominative of address (for vocative)τέκνον: 'child' (from τίκτω, 'bear'); the offspring, addressed directly as members of the church.
ὑπακούετεobeyPres Act Impv 2 Pl · ὑπακούωmain verb (imperative)→ customary present (continual obedience)ὑπακούω: 'obey, listen under' (ὑπό + ἀκούω); attentive submission — a stronger word than the wives' 'submit.'
τοῖςtheDativearticle
γονεῦσινparentsDativedat. of the one obeyedγονεύς: 'parent' (from γίνομαι/γεννάω); both father and mother, jointly to be obeyed.
κατὰinpreposition + accusative (extent)
πάνταeverythingAccusativeobject of κατά (extent of obedience)πᾶς: 'all'; κατὰ πάντα = 'in all respects' — comprehensive, within the bounds of 'in the Lord.'
τοῦτοthisNominativesubject (demonstrative)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunctionγάρ: 'for'; gives the motive — such obedience is what pleases the Lord.
εὐάρεστόνpleasingNominativepredicate adjectiveεὐάρεστος: 'well-pleasing, acceptable' (εὖ + ἀρέσκω); what gains the Lord's approval.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
κυρίῳthe LordDativedat. of sphere (the Christian frame)κύριος: 'Lord'; again the refrain — the duty's measure and reward lie 'in the Lord.'
21
Οἱ πατέρες, μὴ ἐρεθίζετε τὰ τέκνα ὑμῶν, ἵνα μὴ ἀθυμῶσιν.
Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
Household code: fathersasyndetonThe reciprocal address to fathers: their authority is checked by a prohibition against provoking the children, with a pastoral motive — lest the children lose heart. Power is again tempered by care.
ΟἱtheNominativearticle (with vocatival nominative)
πατέρεςfathersNominativenominative of address (for vocative)πατήρ: 'father'; the fathers (perhaps 'parents'), holders of household authority.
μὴnotnegative particle (with imperative)
ἐρεθίζετεprovokePres Act Impv 2 Pl · ἐρεθίζωmain verb (prohibition)→ customary present (do not keep provoking)ἐρεθίζω: 'stir up, irritate, provoke'; here negatively — nagging, exasperating treatment that embitters a child.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
τέκναchildrenAccusativedirect objectτέκνον: 'child'; the same children of v.20, now as objects of the fathers' care.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἵναlestconjunction (negative purpose, w/ μή)ἵνα μή: 'in order that not, lest'; introduces the result to be avoided.
μὴnotnegative particle (with ἵνα)
ἀθυμῶσινbecome discouragedPres Act Subj 3 Pl · ἀθυμέωmain verb (negative purpose clause)→ present (ongoing state to be prevented)ἀθυμέω: 'lose heart, be disheartened' (ἀ- + θυμός, 'spirit'); the crushing of a child's spirit that harsh treatment breeds — a NT hapax.
22
Οἱ δοῦλοι, ὑπακούετε κατὰ πάντα τοῖς κατὰ σάρκα κυρίοις, μὴ ἐν ὀφθαλμοδουλίᾳ ὡς ἀνθρωπάρεσκοι, ἀλλ' ἐν ἁπλότητι καρδίας, φοβούμενοι τὸν κύριον.
Slaves, obey in everything your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.
Household code: slavesasyndetonThe longest member of the code (vv.22–25): slaves are to render whole obedience — not for show, but sincerely, 'fearing the Lord.' The expansive treatment may reflect the Onesimus situation (cf. Philemon).
ΟἱtheNominativearticle (with vocatival nominative)
δοῦλοιslavesNominativenominative of address (for vocative)δοῦλος: 'slave, bondservant'; addressed directly as full members of the church — itself notable.
ὑπακούετεobeyPres Act Impv 2 Pl · ὑπακούωmain verb (imperative)→ customary present (continual obedience)ὑπακούω: 'obey'; the same verb as the children's (v.20) — wholehearted compliance.
κατὰinpreposition + accusative (extent)
πάνταeverythingAccusativeobject of κατά (extent of obedience)πᾶς: 'all'; κατὰ πάντα — full obedience in all things (within the Lord's bounds).
τοῖςtheDativearticle
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (reference)
σάρκαthe fleshAccusativeobject of κατά (sphere of reference)σάρξ: 'flesh'; 'masters according to the flesh' = earthly, human masters — implicitly relativized against the heavenly Master.
κυρίοιςmastersDativedat. of the one obeyedκύριος: here 'master, owner'; the deliberate wordplay — earthly κύριοι serve under the one true κύριος (v.24).
μὴnotnegative particle
ἐνbypreposition + dative (manner)
ὀφθαλμοδουλίᾳeye-serviceDativedat. of manner (rejected mode)ὀφθαλμοδουλία: 'eye-service' (ὀφθαλμός + δουλεία); work done only when watched — a Pauline coinage, a NT hapax.
ὡςascomparative particle
ἀνθρωπάρεσκοιpeople-pleasersNominativepredicate nom. (in apposition to subject)ἀνθρωπάρεσκος: 'man-pleaser' (ἄνθρωπος + ἀρέσκω); one who serves to win human approval rather than God's.
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but, rather'; sets sincere service against mere outward show.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (manner)
ἁπλότητιsincerityDativedat. of mannerἁπλότης: 'singleness, sincerity, integrity'; an undivided, guileless heart — the opposite of eye-service.
καρδίαςof heartGenitiveattributive (descriptive) genitiveκαρδία: 'heart'; ἁπλότης καρδίας = wholehearted sincerity.
φοβούμενοιfearingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · φοβέομαιparticiple of manner/cause→ present (ongoing reverence)φοβέομαι: 'fear, reverence'; reverent fear of the Lord — the true motive that replaces fear of the human master.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
κύριονLordAccusativedirect object (of φοβούμενοι)κύριος: 'Lord'; here unmistakably Christ — the Master whose regard governs the slave's service.
23
ὃ ἐὰν ποιῆτε, ἐκ ψυχῆς ἐργάζεσθε ὡς τῷ κυρίῳ καὶ οὐκ ἀνθρώποις,
Whatever you do, work at it from the soul, as for the Lord and not for men,
Principle of slave-serviceasyndetonThe governing principle: wholehearted work, rendered ultimately to the Lord, not to men. This dignifies the meanest labor as service to Christ — echoing the comprehensive rule of v.17.
ὃwhat-Accusativerelative pronoun (w/ ἐάν: 'whatever')
ἐὰν-everparticle (generalizing, w/ subjunctive)ὃ ἐάν: 'whatever'; generalizes over the whole field of the slave's tasks.
ποιῆτεyou doPres Act Subj 2 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (indefinite rel. clause)→ customary presentποιέω: 'do, make'; the indefinite relative recalls v.17's 'whatever you do.'
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)
ψυχῆςthe soulGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source/manner)ψυχή: 'soul, life'; ἐκ ψυχῆς = 'from the soul, heartily' — with the whole self engaged.
ἐργάζεσθεworkPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · ἐργάζομαιmain verb (imperative)→ customary present (continual labor)ἐργάζομαι: 'work, labor'; the command to put oneself wholly into the task.
ὡςascomparative particleὡς: 'as'; reframes the recipient of the labor — 'as (working) for the Lord.'
τῷtheDativearticle
κυρίῳLordDativedat. of recipient/advantageκύριος: 'Lord'; Christ is the true beneficiary of the slave's work — the decisive reorientation.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἀνθρώποιςmenDativedat. of recipient (negated)ἄνθρωπος: 'human being'; the merely human masters — not the ultimate object of service.
24
εἰδότες ὅτι ἀπὸ κυρίου ἀπολήμψεσθε τὴν ἀνταπόδοσιν τῆς κληρονομίας. τῷ κυρίῳ Χριστῷ δουλεύετε·
knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Motive: the heavenly rewardasyndetonThe motive that transfigures slavery: the slave, who could not normally inherit, will receive the inheritance from the Lord as reward. The clinching statement: 'you serve the Lord Christ.'
εἰδότεςknowingPerf Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · οἶδαcausal participle→ intensive perfect (settled knowledge)οἶδα: 'know' (perfect with present sense); the settled knowledge that grounds wholehearted service.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)
κυρίουthe LordGenitiveobject of ἀπό (source of reward)κύριος: 'Lord'; the heavenly Master from whom the true reward comes.
ἀπολήμψεσθεyou will receiveFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἀπολαμβάνωmain verb (content clause)→ predictive futureἀπολαμβάνω: 'receive back, receive in full' (ἀπό + λαμβάνω); to obtain what is rightly due — here the promised recompense.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἀνταπόδοσινrewardAccusativedirect objectἀνταπόδοσις: 'recompense, repayment' (ἀντί + ἀποδίδωμι); the full requital from the Lord — a NT hapax.
τῆςofGenitivearticle
κληρονομίαςthe inheritanceGenitivegenitive of apposition (the reward = the inheritance)κληρονομία: 'inheritance'; pointedly, the slave — barred from inheriting on earth — receives the eschatological inheritance (cf. 1:12).
τῷtheDativearticle
κυρίῳLordDativedat. of the one servedκύριος: 'Lord'; the true Master — 'the Lord Christ,' a striking, emphatic title.
ΧριστῷChristDativeapposition to κυρίῳΧριστός: 'Christ'; 'the Lord Christ' (κυρίῳ Χριστῷ) — the one whom the slave ultimately serves.
δουλεύετεyou servePres Act Indic 2 Pl · δουλεύωmain verb (indicative; or imperative)→ customary present (the abiding reality of service)δουλεύω: 'serve as a slave' (cognate with δοῦλος, v.22); the slave's whole labor is, in truth, slavery to Christ — read as statement or summons.
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ὁ γὰρ ἀδικῶν κομίσεται ὃ ἠδίκησεν, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν προσωπολημψία.
For the wrongdoer will be repaid for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
Warning: impartial judgmentγάρThe counterweight to the promise: the Lord who rewards also judges the wrongdoer, and without partiality. The principle cuts both ways — addressed to the slave here, but a hinge into the word to masters (4:1).
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunctionγάρ: 'for'; grounds the foregoing in the certainty of impartial recompense.
ἀδικῶνwrongdoerPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀδικέωsubstantival participle (subject)→ customary (characteristic)ἀδικέω: 'do wrong, act unjustly' (from ἀδικία); the one who commits injustice — slave or master alike.
κομίσεταιwill be repaidFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · κομίζωmain verb→ predictive futureκομίζω (mid.): 'receive back, be requited'; one carries off the just consequence of his deeds.
ὃwhatAccusativerelative pronoun (object; cognate notion)
ἠδίκησενhe did wrongAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀδικέωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristἀδικέω: 'do wrong'; the wrong done is exactly what is requited — measure for measure.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential)→ gnomic present (abiding truth)
προσωπολημψίαpartialityNominativesubject (of existential ἔστιν)προσωπολημψία: 'partiality, favoritism' (lit. 'face-receiving,' a Semitism); God shows no favoritism — rank gives no immunity (cf. Rom 2:11).