Matthew Poole and continuators on Colossians 4:1

1 MAsters , give unto your servants that which is just and equal , knowing that ye also have a master in heaven .

Having put Servants upon their duty, he doth here engage all those who have a just right over Servants to mind their own duty toward those under their command.

Though your extract or estate hath advanced you above them in humane Society, yet you have the same nature and infirmities that they have, and (as in the foregoing Verse) must appear with them before the same Judge and rewarder at the same tribunal. And the Apostle doth elsewhere, Eph. 6.9, require of Masters in their superiour Relation, what he doth of Servants in their inferiour one, to do the same thing, i. e. not the particular offices of their Servants, but according to general rules of right reason, which by the Law of God, Nature and Nations, that which is common to, and incumbent on all Relatives, Rom. 13.7, 8. Gal. 5.13. Eph. 6.8. As he doth here require Masters to do their Servants right, give to them that which is their due for Soul and Body, Gen. 18.19. Exod. 12.44. with respect to work that it be neither too much, nor too little, Prov. 12.10. & 29.21. to food, that it be convenient for nourishment, not luxury, Psal. 27.27. & 31.15. Luk. 12.42. & 15.17. wages, Exod. 2.21. Iam. 5.4. and recompence, Deut. 15.13.

Ye are likewise to give them that which is equal or equitable aswell as just, which implies you should not be cruel to them, or discourage them, as you expect they should serve you with good will, so you should govern them wisely, and be good and gentle to them, Psal. 101.2. 1 Pet. 2.18. who are faithfull, allowing them seasonable rest and refreshment, Deut. 15.14. not despising their prudent answers, Iob, 31.13.14. but shewing them [illegible: 1 letter]avour in sickness aswell as in health, 2 King. 5.5, 6. Prov. 14.35. Mat. 8.6.

And that upon this weighty reason intimated before, that he above whom you se[illegible: 1 letter]ve, will treat you as you do them; this you may be assured of, Eph. 6.8, 9. If you expect favour at his hands, when he comes to distribute rewards and punishments shew it now to your inferiours, who will then appear as your fellow servants, when you must give an account of your stewardship, Matt. 24.49. with Luk 16.2.

That this Verse doth refer to the foregoing Chapter, and that it was unadvisedly divided from it, is generally agreed.