Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Colossians 3:23
What does Colossians 3:23 mean?
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Colossians 3:23
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The verse isn't just about working hard; it's about transforming your entire perspective on work. By doing things "heartily, as for the Lord," you're not just performing a task for a paycheck or approval, but engaging in sacred service that has eternal significance. This means even the most mundane activities can become acts of worship when done with this mindset.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of Paul's practical instructions for Christian living within the household, following his discussion on wives submitting to their husbands and children obeying their parents. It specifically addresses servants (or slaves in the original context), urging them to perform their duties diligently and wholeheartedly, not just when supervised by human masters, but as if serving Christ Himself. This shifts the perspective from mere earthly obligation to a sacred calling, with the ultimate reward coming from God.
Ever feel like your work is just… work? That it’s unseen, unappreciated, or just a way to get by? This verse flips that script entirely.
Paul challenges us to bring our whole selves – our souls – into whatever we do. This isn't about going through the motions; it's about a deep, inner commitment.
From the Soul:
'Heartily' here (from the Greek 'ek psychēs') literally means 'from the soul.' It’s about engaging your personal passion, your best abilities, and a genuine willingness, not just going through the motions out of obligation.
For the Lord, Not Men:
This is the game-changer. When we do something 'as for the Lord,' our primary motivation shifts from human approval or fear to honoring God. Our bosses, clients, or even family members become secondary. The ultimate audience is God Himself.
This reframes even the most mundane tasks. Imagine your daily grind – whether it’s data entry, childcare, or cleaning – not as drudgery, but as an act of worship, a service offered directly to Christ.
Does God really care if your reports are neat or your lawn is mowed? This verse reveals a radical truth about how faith impacts every corner of life.
Paul isn’t just talking about big, spiritual activities. He’s addressing the 'whatsoever ye do' – the entirety of our lives, including our jobs and daily responsibilities.
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Elevating the Everyday:
This passage broadens the scope of discipleship. It’s not confined to church or prayer meetings. Our work, whatever it may be, becomes a stage for expressing our faith. Even tasks that seem insignificant or purely secular can be transformed when done with the right heart and motivation.
Beyond Human Sight:
The contrast 'not for men' is crucial. It liberates us from the pressure of seeking approval from others or being discouraged by their criticism. When our work is for the Lord, its value isn't determined by human opinion but by our faithfulness to Him. This is especially powerful in contexts where our work might be undervalued or unrecognized by people.
Understand the original words
ek psychēs · Greek Adverbial Phrase
To labor with vigor, spirit, and from the soul (ek psychēs); working with complete engagement and commitment as an act of worship.
The exhortation to work heartily 'as for the Lord' gains profound weight when understood within the context of Roman society, where slavery was a reality and Christian slaves were instructed on how to conduct themselves with integrity and dignity, even in difficult circumstances.
c. AD 50-62— this verse
Paul's Ministry in Ephesus
The Apostle Paul spent a significant period in Ephesus, a major Roman city in Asia Minor, establishing a strong church and influencing surrounding regions, including Colossae.
c. AD 60-62
Paul's Imprisonment and Letter Writing
While imprisoned, likely in Rome, Paul wrote several epistles, including Colossians, to guide and encourage churches he couldn't visit in person.
c. AD 62
Philemon Epistle Connection
The Epistle to Philemon, concerning a runaway slave named Onesimus, was sent around the same time as Colossians, highlighting Paul's perspective on slavery and Christian duty within that social structure.
This verse echoes the principle of doing everything 'as for the Lord,' stating that whether we eat, drink, or do anything else, it should be done for God's glory, reinforcing the idea of working with the Lord as the ultimate audience.
Luke 10:7Jesus tells his disciples to stay in one place and eat and drink what is provided, stating 'the laborer deserves his wages.' This connects to Colossians 3:23 by highlighting that honest work deserves fair compensation and that the worker's effort is valued by God, even in simple tasks.
Galatians 6:9This passage encourages believers not to 'become weary in doing good,' because in due time they will reap a harvest. This aligns with Colossians 3:23 by emphasizing perseverance and diligence in our work, with the assurance of a future reward from God, not just human recognition.
1 Timothy 5:18The apostle Paul quotes from Deuteronomy, stating that 'the laborer deserves his wages.' This passage, much like Colossians 3:23, links the concept of work and its diligent performance to the just reward that God intends for those who labor faithfully.
Proverbs 22:29This verse speaks of a person who is skilled in their work, stating, 'Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.' It connects by showing how diligence and excellence in our work, as called for in Colossians 3:23, can lead to recognition and favor, even if our ultimate motivation is for the Lord.
henryColossians 3:18-25: "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord."
3:18-25 The epistles most taken up in displaying the glory of the Divine grace, and magnifying the Lord Jesus, are the most particular in pressing the duties of the Christian life. We must never separate the privileges and duties of the gospel. Submission is the duty of wives. But it is submission, not to a severe lord or stern tyrant, but to her own husband, who is engaged to affectionate duty. And…
meyerColossians 3:23: "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;"
Colossians 3:23 f. More precise explanation of the ἐν ἁπλότ . καρδ ., φοβούμ . τ . κύρ . just required. ποιῆτε ] in your service. ἐκ ψυχῆς ] μετὰ εὐνοίας , μὴ μετὰ δουλικῆς ἀνάγκης , ἀλλὰ μετὰ ἐλευθερίας καὶ προαιρέσεως , Chrysostom. Comp. on Ephesians 6:6 . ἐργάζεσθε ] execute, carry out , not equivalent to ποιεῖτε , but correlative with it, hence also not in the narrower sense: labour (as e.g . in Xen.…
The verse isn't just about working hard; it's about transforming your entire perspective on work. By doing things "heartily, as for the Lord," you're not just performing a task for a paycheck or approval, but engaging in sacred service that has eternal significance. This means even the most mundane activities can become acts of worship when done with this mindset.
This verse is part of Paul's practical instructions for Christian living within the household, following his discussion on wives submitting to their husbands and children obeying their parents. It specifically addresses servants (or slaves in the original context), urging them to perform their duties diligently and wholeheartedly, not just when supervised by human masters, but as if serving Christ Himself. This shifts the perspective from mere earthly obligation to a sacred calling, with the ultimate reward coming from God.
This verse is part of Paul's practical instructions for Christian living within the household, following his discussion on wives submitting to their husbands and children obeying their parents. It specifically addresses servants (or slaves in the original context), urging them to perform their duties diligently and wholeheartedly, not just when supervised by human masters, but as if serving Christ Himself. This shifts the perspective from mere earthly obligation to a sacred calling, with the ultimate reward coming from God.
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men," — The verse isn't just about working hard; it's about transforming your entire perspective on work. By doing things "heartily, as for the Lord," you're not just performing a task for a paycheck or appr…
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Last reviewed October 2026