4:1a

supply your slaves with what is right and fair: Paul was writing not only about giving slaves things like food and clothing, but also about how masters should treat slaves. He said that masters should treat their slaves in a right and fair manner. There were no laws to protect slaves at that time—their masters could treat them in any way they chose. Paul was appealing to Christian slave owners to treat their slaves in a way that would please God.

right: The Greek word dikaios that the Berean Standard Bible translates right means “just, righteous.”

fair: The Greek word isotēs that the Berean Standard Bible translates fair is similar in meaning to the word translated “right.” It means “equally.”

4:1b

you also: In Greek these words are emphatic. One way to express this emphasis in English is: “Even you who are masters, remember you also have a Master in heaven.”

have a Master in heaven: In some languages it is more natural to say, “you serve a Master in heaven,” or “you are slaves of a Master in heaven.”

Master in heaven: In 3:22 Paul told slaves to obey their “earthly masters.” Here he reminded Christian slave owners that they also have a Master. Of course, Paul meant the Lord Jesus who is in heaven. The context clarifies this, so you will probably not need to make this explicit. If you do need to make it explicit, here is one way you could do so:

Remember that you also serve a master who is in heaven. He is the Lord…

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