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Relationships Develop Around Christ

August 20th, 2025

Colossians 3:17-25.

This passage has a dark history. It is one of many passages that has been used to exert power over different people groups. It has been taken completely out of context and used to oppress and enslave. In Roman times, men were the rulers of the household. They dictated what the house would do, what gods they would believe in, and so on. In a time when the majority of Christian followers were women and children, Colossians attempts to subvert the household code of the time.

Colossians gives power to women, children, and slaves by saying they have the ability and responsibility to choose to follow Christ. For those in power, men and owners, Colossians calls them to love the members of their households with God’s love. This passage does not condone abuse and slavery. It instead calls households to center themselves on Christ’s love.

For modern-day Christians, this is a call to allow God to shape our households. We are to remain faithful despite our familial circumstances. We are to live into the call of verses 12-16 in our households, being communities of compassion, patience, forgiveness, and kindness through the power of Christ living in us.

Author: Stephanie Malcolm