Colossians 3:23
in Colossians 3Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men,
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men;
KJV
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
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This verse in Colossians 3
Commentary
11 notes on this verseHe desires that they be free not only from hypocrisy, but also from carelessness. Or better, instead of slaves he makes them free, if they have no need of oversight from masters. The expression "from the soul" means to do with good will, not with …
This site's exposition
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything
on Colossians 3:22-25
Service with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord makes the lowest labor work for the Lord. He promises an inheritance from the Lord as your reward, something Roman law never granted a slave.
This site's exposition
work at it with your whole being
Jamieson, Fausset and Brown mark two verbs, whatever you do and work at it, the second meaning to labour. Chrysostom reads the whole being as goodwill, which makes the slave free in serving. Wesley adds that those who work for men soon lose heart.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers1 voice
He desires to have them freed not only from hypocrisy, but also from slothfulness. He hath made them instead of slaves free, when they need not the superintendence of their master for the expression "heartily" means this, "with good will," not with a slavish necessity, but with freedom, and of choice. And what is the reward?
The Medieval Church1 voice
Further, they should serve willingly; and so Paul says, whatever your task, work heartily, that is, readily. And they are to do this as serving the Lord, because one who serves another because it is the right thing to do does this because of God, …
The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices
Heartily - Cheerfully, diligently. Menpleasers are soon dejected and made angry: the single-hearted are never displeased or disappointed; because they have another aim, which the good or evil treatment of those they serve cannot disappoint.
Observe, We are really doing our duty to God when we are faithful in our duty to men. And, for servants' encouragement, let them know that a good and faithful servant is never the further from heaven for his being a servant: " Knowing that of the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance, for you serve the Lord Christ,
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — odd-straight-quotes
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. The apostle, having described our privileges by Christ in the former part of the epistle, and our discharge from the yoke of the ceremonial law, comes here to press upon us our duty as inferred thence.
quarantine:scripture (2026-07-29) — verbatim-run:30w-of-66
3 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
And whatsoever ye do,....
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
And--omitted in the oldest manuscripts (compare Eph 6:7, 8). Compare the same principle in the case of all men, Hezekiah (2Ch 31:21; Ro 12:11). do, do it--two distinct Greek verbs, "Whatsoever ye do, work at it" (or "labor at" it). heartily--not from servile constraint, but with hearty good will.
Modern Voices1 voice
A commentator
GK ChestertonTremendous Trifles, XXX. The Little Birds Who Won't Sing (1909) (1909)
proposed
But if there was one thing the early mediaevals liked it was representing people doing something--hunting or hawking, or rowing boats, or treading grapes, or making shoes, or cooking something in a pot. ... It was the earliest and youngest resurrection of Europe, the time …
The words behind it
12 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ὃ | ho | that | G3739 → | 1405 times |
| ἐὰν | ean | maybe | G1437 → | 352 times |
| ποιῆτε, | poiete | you shall do, | G4160 → | 569 times |
| ἐκ | ek | from | G1537 → | 911 times |
| ψυχῆς | psuches | [the] soul | G5590 → | |
| ἐργάζεσθε | ergazesthe | do work | G2038 → | |
| ὡς | hos | as | G5613 → | 500 times |
| τῷ | to | to the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| κυρίῳ | kurio | Lord | G2962 → | 711 times |
| καὶ | kai | and | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| οὐκ | ouk | not | G3756 → | 1664 times |
| ἀνθρώποις· | anthropois | to men; | G444 → | 549 times |
ὃthat
hoG3739 →1405 times
ἐὰνmaybe
eanG1437 →352 times
ποιῆτε,you shall do,
poieteG4160 →569 times
ἐκfrom
ekG1537 →911 times
ψυχῆς[the] soul
psuchesG5590 →
ἐργάζεσθεdo work
ergazestheG2038 →
ὡςas
hosG5613 →500 times
τῷto the
toG3588 →19766 times
κυρίῳLord
kurioG2962 →711 times
καὶand
kaiG2532 →9120 times
οὐκnot
oukG3756 →1664 times
ἀνθρώποις·to men;
anthropoisG444 →549 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Colossians 3:17And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
it leads to
- 1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.
- Proverbs 3:6
in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
- Ephesians 5:20
always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
- 1 Peter 4:11
If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through…
- 1 Corinthians 10:31
Through
Ecclesiastes 9:10Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might, for in Sheol, where you are going, there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.
it leads to
- Ephesians 5:16
redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
- Romans 12:11
Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
- Ephesians 5:16
Through
2 Chronicles 31:21He was diligent in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law and the commandments, in order to seek his God. And so he prospered.
it leads to
- Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
- Matthew 6:33
Where this verse is studied
On this page
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On this verse
About Colossians
This page draws on 9 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on GK Chesterton, Tremendous Trifles, XXX. The Little Birds Who Won't Sing (1909); J. B. Lightfoot, Saint Paul's Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on Colossians 10; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Colossians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Colossians.