Colossians 3:23

23 Whatever * you do, do your work heartily, ¹as for the Lord rather than * for men,

Colossians 3:23 Meaning and Commentary

Colossians 3:23

And whatsoever ye do
Some have thought that these words, and the two following verses, regard the Colossians in general, and the performance of any, and all good works by them; but by their connection with the preceding verse, and with the beginning of the next chapter, they appear to concern servants only, and what they do under that character, and under the discharge of their duty:

do it heartily,
not by mere force and necessity, grudgingly, and with murmurings, but from the heart, and with good will, having a true, real, and hearty affection for their masters, having their good and interest at heart, and a delight in their service; like the Hebrew servant, that loved his master, as also his wife and children, and therefore would not depart from him, see ( Exodus 21:5 ) ,

as to the Lord, and not unto men; (See Gill on Ephesians 6:7).

Colossians 3:23 In-Context

21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.

22 Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord .

23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,

24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

25 For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.

Cross References

• 1. Ephesians 6:7

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "from the soul"
• [b]. Lit "and not"