Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Colossians: Chapter 3].
absolute as in Mt 10:32; Lu 12:10. This is a sort of Golden
Rule for Christians "in the name of the Lord Jesus" (\en onomati
Kuriou I•sou\), in the spirit of the Lord Jesus (Eph 5:20).
What follows (directions to the various groups) is in this same
vein. Sociological problems have always existed. Paul puts his
finger on the sore spot in each group with unerring skill like a
true diagnostician.
3:18 {Wives} (\kai gunaikes\). The article here distinguishes
class from class and with the vocative case can be best rendered
"Ye wives." So with each group. {Be in subjection to your
husbands} (\hupotassesthe tois andrasin\). "Own" (\idiois\) is
genuine in Eph 5:22, but not here. The verb \hupotassomai\ has
a military air, common in the _Koin•_ for such obedience.
Obedience in government is essential as the same word shows in
Ro 13:1,5. {As is fitting in the Lord} (\h•s an•ken en
Kuri•i\). This is an idiomatic use of the imperfect indicative
with verbs of propriety in present time (Robertson, _Grammar_, p.
919). Wives have rights and privileges, but recognition of the
husband's leadership is essential to a well-ordered home, only
the assumption is that the husband has a head and a wise one.
3:19 {Love your wives} (\agap•te tas gunaikas\). Present active
imperative, "keep on loving." That is precisely the point. {Be
not bitter} (\m• pikrainesthe\). Present middle imperative in
prohibition: "Stop being bitter" or "do not have the habit of
being bitter." This is the sin of husbands. \Pikrain•\ is an old
verb from \pikros\ (bitter). In N.T. only here and Re 8:11;
10:9f. The bitter word rankles in the soul.
3:20 {Obey your parents} (\hupakouete tois goneusin\). Old verb
to listen under (as looking up), to hearken, to heed, to obey.
{In all things} (\kata panta\). This is the hard part for the
child, not occasional obedience, but continual. Surely a
Christian father or mother will not make unreasonable or unjust
demands of the child. Nowhere does modern civilization show more
weakness than just here. Waves of lawlessness sweep over the
world because the child was not taught to obey. Again Paul argues
that this is "in the Lord" (\en Kuri•i\).
3:21 {Provoke not} (\m• erethizete\). Present imperative of old
verb from \ereth•\, to excite. Only twice in N.T., here in bad
sense, in good sense in 2Co 9:2 (to stimulate). Here it means
to nag and as a habit (present tense). {That they be not
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