Power Struggles

By what standards should we judge the actions of the past?

Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is your acceptable duty in the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, or they may lose heart. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only while being watched and in order to please them, but wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord. Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters, since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong has been done, and there is no partiality.  Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, for you know that you also have a Master in heaven. Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. At the same time pray for us as well that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison, so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should. Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone. - Colossians 3:18-4:6

In Paul's day, women had no rights and people owned other people.

When one has power over another, as Rome had over all in its empire, those in power can and will take advantage of those subject to that power.

Husbands could treat their wives harshly and get away with it.  Masters could abuse their slaves as well.

Paul is appealing to all to hold back from using their status to harm those subject to their power.

He also appeals to those who have no control over their position in life to avoid resisting, so long as the situation is tenable.

If both sides care about their relationship with God, they will live in harmony, as much as that is possible under the circumstances.

While we may believe that change is needed, we can still find a way to live in peace for now.

Many today might not agree with that.  Fighting against the system is much more popular today than it was in Paul's day, mostly because there are no consequences for it.

So, the advice Paul gives sounds foolish to many today.

If you believe that change is coming soon, as Paul did, you would tend to focus on being ready for it, rather than complain and resist the current poor conditions of life.

I wonder what Paul would have thought if he knew it would take centuries or millennia for things to change.

But then, look around.

Aren't we still living in a time where people exert power over others and are cruel in doing so?

So, what would Paul's advice be to us today?

More to come...