Keraia
Colossians 3

Colossians 3:23

Serving with Honor · Colossians 3:22–25
Read Colossians 3

Translations

Modern
Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men,
Traditional
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Literal
That which you may do, work from the soul, as to the Lord and not to men,
Latin
Quodcumque facitis, ex animo operamini sicut Domino, et non hominibus:

Original

Greek
English
Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men,

Notes

Colossians 3:22–24

  • Slaves have masters on earth they must obey. Slavery was central to life and the economy in the ancient world. The New Testament does not directly oppose slavery. Yet, Christian faith creates relationships that change the nature of the social structure (see Philemon 1:15–16).

  • It is the Lord Christ you are serving: All Christians, whether slave or free, serve a higher Master. His will is most important.

Colossians 3:18–4:1

This series of teachings is called a household code. Paul instructs wives (3:18), husbands (3:19), children (3:20), fathers (3:21), slaves (3:22–25), and masters (4:1). Similar codes are found in Greco-Roman writings and other parts of the New Testament (see Ephesians 5:22–6:9; 1 Peter 2:18–3:7).

Parallels

Ephesians 6:5–9 1 Timothy 6:1–2

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Biblical Concept of Law Inheritance Letter to the Colossians Letter to the Ephesians Soul

Topics

Ability Actions Ants Approval Attitude Bad Leadership Being a Good Steward Being a Good Witness Being in Debt Being Responsible Boredom Business Business Ethics Business Ownership Child Labor Church Anniversary Church Ushers Clean House Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Commitment to Church Creativity Daily Christian Living Doing Good Doing your Best Effort Employees Employers Employment Ethics Financial Debt Finishing Well Finishing What you Start Getting out of Debt Hard Work Having the Right Attitude Integrity: General Scriptures Concerning Labeling Others Laziness Men Working Mission Trips