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Colossians 3:20

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Colossians 3:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord.
Colossians 3:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Colossians 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
18Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
20Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord.
21Fathers, provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged.
22Servants, obey in all things them that are your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord:
23whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men;
← Colossians 3:19Colossians 3:21 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Children, obey your parents, etc.] Both father and mother; (see Gill on “<490601>Ephesians 6:1”). in all things; not in things sinful, which are contrary to the law of God, and Gospel of Christ; in things repugnant to the duties of religion, the ordinances of the Gospel, and the doctrines of Christ, parents are to be neglected and disobeyed. God is to be regarded, and not men; but in all things good and lawful, and in all things that are of an indifferent nature, which may, or may not be done, in these things the will of earthly parents is to be attended to; of which there is a considerable instance in the Rechabites, (see <243506>Jeremiah 35:6-10) and even they are to be obeyed in things…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Eph 6:1.) unto the Lord--The oldest manuscripts read, "IN the Lord," that is, this is acceptable to God when it is done in the Lord, namely, from the principle of faith,and as disciples in union with the Lord.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Children, obey your parents ... - Notes, Ephesians 6:1-4. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“obey: Gen 28:7; Exo 20:12; Lev 19:3; Deu 21:18-21, Deu 27:16; Pro 6:20, Pro 20:20; Pro 30:11, Pro 30:17; Eze 22:7; Mal 1:6; Mat 15:4-6, Mat 19:19; Eph 6:1-3 in: Col 3:22; Eph 5:24; Tit 2:9 well pleasing: Col 1:10; Phi 4:18; Heb 13:21 Colossians 3:21”
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Related study paths

Read Colossians 3 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification