Section 7
wives, husbands, children, fathers, slaves, and masters. The wives are to be subject to their hus bands, the husbands are to love their wives, the children are to obey their parents, the fathers are not to provoke their children, the slaves are to obey their masters, and the masters are to grant their slaves that which is just and equal. But how is a wife to submit to her husband, or a husband to love his wife? The only way to sub mit or to love is to be in the name of the Lord, to be one with the Lord.
Notice that 3:18—4:1 is the direct continu ation of Paul's word in verses 16 and 17. This means that if we are not in the name of the Lord Jesus, one with Him by having the word of Christ dwell in us richly, we cannot submit or love. The fulfillment of all the charges given by Paul in this portion of Colossians comes out of being "in the name of the Lord Jesus." If a sister is mingled with the Lord and one with Him, she will spontaneously submit to her husband. Like wise, if a husband is mingled with the Lord, he will automatically love his wife. In like man ner, a child will honor his parents, a father will refrain from provoking his children, a slave will obey his master, and a master will give to his slave what is just and equal. This means that a