Note 6 at Col. 3:22: This phrase, "according to the flesh" clarifies the limit to which a master could exercise authority over a slave (or an employer over an employee-see note 1 at Eph. 6:5, p. 1140). The mastery Paul is speaking of here is only in the physical realm. No one has spiritual authority over us but Christ. He is our head (1 Cor. 11:3).