Colossians 3:23-24

23. whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men; 24. knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompence of the inheritance: ye serve the Lord Christ.

Translation and Paraphrase

23. (And) whatever you do, work from (your) soul (work heartily), as unto the Lord, and not (as just) unto men,
24. because you know that from the Lord you shall receive the recompense (repayment) of (your works, which is) the inheritance (of God; for in faithfully serving your masters) you are serving the Lord Christ.

Notes

1.

Paul revealed a glorious promise to the slaves: They would receive an inheritance and a recompense (repayment) from the Lord.

2.

Slaves were called upon again to work heartily (literally, from the soul). They were to work that way whatever they did, and some jobs were very disagreeable. They were to work as if they were working for the Lord Jesus, and not unto men. In truth they were working for the Lord.

3.

Slaves were told that they could know they would receive from the Lord the reward of a heavenly inheritance. It was a great marvel that slaves should expect to receive an inheritance from the Lord. On earth children of masters might inherit, but slaves never.

4.

To some modern people Paul's instructions to slaves might sound very unappealing, as if he had said, Be good boys, and you-'ll get pie in the sky by and by. Many moderns would have advised the slaves to strike, to revolt, to stage demonstrations, to protest.

In the light of the good effects which Paul's commands to slaves produced (they were really God's commands), we believe that Paul gave the right advice; and the methods of modern revolutionaries would only have caused more misery to come upon everyone, the slaves included.

5.

All of us should desire and work for the heavenly inheritance above all else. (Romans 8:18; 1 Peter 1:4; 1 Peter 1:13).

6.

In serving our masters or employers faithfully, we serve the Lord Christ. Faithful service on our part will impress our employers with the reality of our Christian faith, and will probably give us an opportunity to testify about our faith. Poor service will do just the opposite.

There is simply no place in the church of Christ for those who will not work sincerely. (1 Thessalonians 3:11-12; 2 Thessalonians 3:10-11; Ephesians 4:28).

Study and Review

67.

How were slaves to work? (Colossians 3:23)

68.

The slave was to work for his master as if he were working for whom?

69.

What shall slaves (and others too) receive from the Lord as a result of their obedient labor? (Colossians 3:24)

70.

Whom were obedient Christian slaves really serving?