Colossians 3:23
What does Colossians 3:23 mean?
A plain-English look at Colossians 3:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Colossians 3:23 means
“Whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men.” Paul elevates all labor—menial or exalted—by directing it to Christ. Working “heartily” means with whole-souled energy and sincerity, not begrudging compliance. The audience of one is the Lord, whose eye is kind and whose standard is holy. This perspective frees from both cynicism and people-pleasing, supplying dignity and purpose in every task. Even when earthly masters are unfair or blind, Christ is just and attentive. By transforming the motive and master of work, Paul shows that Christian discipleship encompasses Monday as much as Sunday, turning ordinary duties into worshipful service.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men;
KJV
King James Version · 1611And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Whatever you do, do it readily, as to the Lord and not to men;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and all, whatever ye may do--out of soul work--as to the Lord, and not to men,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Whatsoever you do, do it from the heart, as to the Lord, and not to men:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Whatsoever ye do, labour at it heartily, as [doing it] to the Lord, and not to men;
Context
Building on verse 22’s call to sincere obedience, verse 23 states the positive principle: all work is to be done for the Lord. Verse 24 will ground this labor in promised reward—an inheritance from the Lord—and explicitly name the true master: “the Lord Christ.” Then verse 25 will warn that wrongdoing will be repaid without partiality. The flow balances motivation (serve Christ, receive inheritance) and moral seriousness (God judges injustice), shaping a robust Christian work ethic.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 14:6
He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord: and he that eateth, eateth unto the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, unto the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
- 1 Peter 1:22
Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently:
- Zechariah 7:5
Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and in the seventh month, even these seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?
- Romans 14:8
For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; or whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.
- Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, whither thou goest.
- Matthew 6:16
Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen of men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward.
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