Colossians 3:25
What does Colossians 3:25 mean?
A plain-English look at Colossians 3:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Colossians 3:25 means
God’s justice is impartial: “he that doeth wrong shall receive again for the wrong that he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.” This principle warns every role—servants, masters, husbands, fathers, wives, children—that wrongdoing meets divine recompense. Privilege does not shield from God’s judgment; status cannot bribe heaven’s court. The verse restrains abuse and encourages integrity, assuring the oppressed that God sees and will act, and reminding the powerful that they answer to a higher Lord. In a household code filled with promises and duties, this closing note insists that grace does not nullify accountability. The Lord Christ both rewards faithfulness and judges injustice without partiality.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For he that doeth wrong shall receive again for the wrong that he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For he that doeth wrong shall receive again for the wrong that he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For the wrongdoer will have punishment for the wrong he has done, without respect for any man's position.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and he who is doing unrighteously shall receive what he did unrighteously, and there is no acceptance of persons.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For he that doth wrong shall receive for that which he hath done wrongfully. And there is no respect of persons with God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For he that does a wrong shall receive the wrong he has done, and there is no respect of persons.
Context
Concluding the household instructions of this chapter, verse 25 balances the promises of verses 23–24 with a warning of impartial judgment. It ensures that the Christ-centered ethic applies seriously to all, anticipating the address to masters in 4:1. The flow from heavenly-minded identity (verses 1–4), to putting off and putting on (verses 5–14), to communal peace and worship (verses 15–17), and finally to household relationships (verses 18–25) ends with this sober reminder: the Lord who saves also judges righteously.
v.24knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance: ye serve the Lord Christ.
v.25This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 6:7
Nay, already it is altogether a defect in you, that ye have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather take wrong? why not rather be defrauded?
- Job 37:24
Men do therefore fear him: He regardeth not any that are wise of heart.
- Romans 2:11
for there is no respect of persons with God.
- Deuteronomy 1:17
Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; ye shall hear the small and the great alike; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you ye shall bring unto me, and I will hear it.
- Hebrews 2:2
For if the word spoken through angels proved stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward;
- Leviticus 19:15
Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty; but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor.
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