Colossians 3:23

23 Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters,

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 provoke your children, or they may lose heart.

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only while being watched and in order to please them, but wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord.

23 Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters,

24 since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ.

25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong has been done, and there is no partiality.

Footnotes

• [a]. Gk [not for men]