Colossians 3:23

23 Whatever ye do, work ye of will, as to the Lord and not to 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 ye provoke your sons to indignation, that they be not made feeble-hearted.

22 Servants, obey ye by all things to fleshly lords, not serving at the eye [not serving at eye], as pleasing to men, but in simpleness of heart, dreading the Lord [dreading the Lord God].

23 Whatever ye do, work ye of will, as to the Lord and not to men;

24 witting that of the Lord ye shall take yielding of heritage [witting that of the Lord ye shall take reward of heritage]. Serve ye to the Lord Christ.

25 For he that doeth injury, shall receive that that he did evil; and acception of persons is not with God. [+Forsooth he that doeth injury, or wrong, shall receive that that he did evil; and acceptation of persons/and taking of persons is not with God.]