Colossians 3 20

Colossians 3:20 kjv

Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

Colossians 3:20 nkjv

Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

Colossians 3:20 niv

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Colossians 3:20 esv

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Colossians 3:20 nlt

Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord.

Colossians 3 verses

Colossians 3 20 Meaning

Colossians 3:20 teaches that children who follow Christ are to obey their parents in all aspects, as this comprehensive obedience is deeply pleasing to the Lord Jesus Christ. It establishes parental authority as divinely ordained and underscores children's submission as a spiritual act of reverence and faith towards God. This verse grounds familial harmony and respectful conduct within the greater framework of walking in the new life given through Christ.

Colossians 3 20 Context

Colossians 3:20 is situated within Paul's instruction on practical Christian living for the "new man" (Col 3:10) after salvation. The chapter begins by calling believers to set their minds on heavenly things (Col 3:1-4), then to put off the "old self" with its sinful desires (Col 3:5-11), and to put on the "new self," characterized by Christ-like virtues like compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, and love (Col 3:12-17). Following these general virtues for the Christian community, Paul then transitions to specific "household codes" (Col 3:18-4:1), detailing duties for wives, husbands, children, fathers, bondservants, and masters. This reflects a common structure in Greco-Roman ethical treatises and is found in other New Testament epistles (e.g., Eph 5:21-6:9). For the Colossian believers, this practical instruction would have been crucial for living out their faith visibly within the pagan society and ensuring harmonious internal church life. Specifically for children, the instruction to obey their parents ensures proper family order, reflects the divine order, and prevents societal chaos that might arise from undermining established authorities.

Colossians 3 20 Word analysis

• "Children" (Greek: τέκνα, tekna): This term signifies offspring, naturally implying a tender, affectionate relationship rather than solely a legal status. It refers to those who are still under parental authority and guidance, typically living in the family home. Its usage suggests that the command is for children within a Christian family unit who are old enough to understand and consciously obey.

• "obey" (Greek: ὑπακούετε, hypakouete): From hypakouo, which literally means "to listen under." This verb denotes more than mere passive hearing; it implies hearing with attentive mind and then actively yielding to or complying with the instructions given. It describes a responsive submission to authority, indicating an active choice to follow parental commands, aligning with the Christian walk of obedience to Christ.

• "your parents" (Greek: τοῖς γονεῦσιν ὑμῶν, tois goneusin hymon): This phrase unequivocally includes both the mother and the father. This emphasis on both parents having authority over their children stands out against the backdrop of Roman culture where the paterfamilias (father of the family) held immense, often sole, legal power. The Christian ethic, therefore, elevates the mother's role in the upbringing and authority structure of the family.

• "in everything" (Greek: ἐν παντί, en panti): Literally meaning "in all things" or "comprehensively." This signifies a general disposition of willing obedience that covers the full range of parental instructions concerning life within the family. While this suggests broad submission, it is implicitly qualified by the ultimate phrase "for this pleases the Lord." A child is not called to obey a command that would lead to sin or directly contradict God's clear commands, as ultimate loyalty is always to God Himself. This phrase emphasizes the breadth of proper parental authority within God's boundaries.

• "for this" (Greek: τοῦτο γάρ, touto gar): "This" refers to the act of children obeying their parents "in everything." The conjunction "for" (gar) introduces the divine motivation and compelling reason behind the command, linking the human action directly to divine approval. It frames obedience not as a burdensome duty but as a spiritually rewarding act.

• "pleases" (Greek: εὐάρεστον, euarestos): Meaning "well-pleasing," "acceptable," or "agreeable." This term conveys something that brings great satisfaction and favor to the recipient. Here, it underscores that the act of obedience from children genuinely delights and brings approval from the Lord. It transforms the act of obedience into an act of worship.

• "the Lord" (Greek: Κυρίῳ, Kyrio): In the context of Paul's letters, especially Colossians, "the Lord" refers primarily to Jesus Christ. Paul frequently highlights Christ's supreme authority over all creation and within the church (Col 1:15-20, Col 2:9-10). Therefore, the obedience of children to their parents is seen as a direct act of honor and submission to Christ, who holds ultimate authority over every sphere of life, including family relationships.

Words-group analysis:

• "Children, obey your parents": This command forms the cornerstone of intergenerational respect and order within the Christian family. It highlights that the foundational authority within the home rests with the parents, and children are responsible for respecting and following that authority. This alignment of the natural family order with God's will creates stability and promotes spiritual growth.

• "in everything, for this pleases the Lord": This concluding phrase provides the vital divine justification and scope for the command. The comprehensive nature of obedience ("in everything") is anchored in the fact that such conduct is explicitly agreeable to the Lord. This motive elevates family relationships from mere social obligations to spiritual disciplines. The implicit boundary for "everything" is that it must not violate God's greater commands, as the ultimate aim is to please the Lord, not displease Him through disobedience to His higher law. This link also establishes that Christ cares about the day-to-day interactions within the family.

Colossians 3 20 Bonus section

• The household codes in Colossians (and Ephesians) are revolutionary in the ancient world because they apply ethical duties to all members of the household, not just the inferiors, and critically, they ground these duties in obedience to Christ ("in the Lord," "as to the Lord"). This sets Christian family life apart from contemporary pagan practices, where duties often flowed only from subordinates to superiors, and male heads of household possessed almost absolute power.
• This instruction also reflects a deep understanding of human development; the family is the primary sphere where individuals learn authority, boundaries, and relationship dynamics. By establishing faithful obedience within the home, Paul lays a foundational principle for the larger community of believers and society at large.
• The pleasure of the Lord here is not conditional for salvation, but it describes the Lord's delight in believers living out their salvation practically and bringing honor to His name through their conduct. It is an expression of faith in action, a tangible manifestation of a heart yielded to Christ.
• The verse implies that parents have legitimate authority and children, regardless of age (as long as they are still "children" in the sense of being under the parents' direct care and authority), are expected to acknowledge and submit to that. As children mature, the nature of "obedience" transitions into profound honor and respect for parents throughout their lives (as highlighted by the fifth commandment).

Colossians 3 20 Commentary

Colossians 3:20 is a powerful, concise injunction that elevates an essential domestic duty into a profound act of spiritual significance. Paul instructs Christian children to demonstrate a willing, comprehensive obedience to their parents, clarifying that this behavior is not merely good manners or societal conformity, but directly pleasing to the Lord Jesus Christ. This transforms an ordinary family interaction into a facet of worship and submission to God's will. The command reinforces the divine order within the family unit, showing that God's authority flows through parents. For children, this is a training ground for obedience to God himself, fostering humility, respect, and discipline.

While the phrase "in everything" denotes a general disposition of submission, it is critically understood within the broader Christian context: obedience is always bounded by a higher loyalty to God. If a parental command contradicts God's clear commands or compels sin, then the ultimate authority (Christ) must be chosen. However, for the myriad daily instructions, children are called to obey. This fosters harmony and a Christ-centered environment in the home, a key testimony of the transforming power of the Gospel. For parents, this verse implies a responsibility to issue commands that are indeed righteous and honoring to God, guiding their children towards behavior that will earn God's approval.