3:23-25

COMMAND #2:  The Slave Must Work for God


VERSE 23:
“And whatsoever ye do, do {it} heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”

Paul gives four features of this work.

FEATURE #1:  It Covers ALL of his Assigned Responsibilities

         “And whatsoever ye do,
         Literally:  “And {in} everything, whatever you may do”—Some have thought that these words, and the two following verses,

         regard the Colossians in general, and the performance of any, and all good works by them.

But by their connection with the preceding verse, and with the beginning of the next chapter, they appear to concern servants only, and what they do under that character, and under the discharge of their duty.

FEATURE #2:  It Must Be Done with Total Enthusiasm
         “do {it} heartily, as to the Lord,”
         Literally:  “work from the soul as to the Lord”—Not from servile constraint, but with    hearty good will.

            YE DO–DO IT:  (Grk.–poiēte–ergazesthe)Better rendered as, “ye do–work” with the latter being the stronger term as opposed to
            idleness.  The word ergazesthe really denotes faithful toil and labor. 

Do it heartily, not by mere force and necessity, grudgingly, and with murmurings, but from the heart, and with good will, having a true, real, and hearty affection for their masters, having their good and interest at heart, and a delight in their service; like the Hebrew servant, that loved his master, as also his wife and children, and therefore would not depart from him; as to the Lord, and not unto men  Two distinct Greek verbs, “Whatsoever ye do, work at it” (or “labor at” it).

FEATURE #3:  It  Should Be Done “As to the Lord”
         As unto the Lord” (Grk.–hôs tôi Kuriôi)–Even when unto men. This is the highest test of worthwhile service.
         If it were only always true!

FEATURE #4:  It  Should Not Be Done  merely unto Men
         “not with eye service, as men pleasers”

VERSES 24-25:   THE REASONS FOR THE COMMANDS

VERSE 24:
“Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance:  for ye serve the Lord Christ
    

            KNOWING:  (Grk.–eiddotes)This Greek participle introduces two reasons for the slaves’ obedience and work.

REASON #1:  Faithful Service Will Receive a “Divine” Reward
         “Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance:  ”
         Literally:  “Knowing that from the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance”- 
       
Here, you have neither lands nor property; you are servants or slaves; be not discouraged, you have an inheritance in store;
        be faithful unto God and to your employers, and Christ will give you an inheritance.

This is said for the encouragement of Christian servants:  if a slave serves Christ in his menial tasks, the Savior will reward him at the Judgment Seat  (BEMA)  in Heaven (II Cor. 5:10).   Though they may receive little or nothing from their earthly and carnal masters; yet they shall be used and treated as children by the Lord, and by Whom they will be possessed of an eternal inheritance, after their work and labor is over. 

“the reward of the inheritance”–That is, the heavenly glory, called a “reward,”, because Paul is speaking to servant/slaves and therefore uses language applicable to them; and who, though they may have no reward in this world, yet as there is a God that judges in the earth.

         Paul is letting them know that there is truly a reward for them in the world to come: and it is given to those that do good, and continue in well doing. In real life a slave received no wages or an inheritance; but in the spiritual life he is entitled to all of the blessings of his heavenly inheritance that Christ has provided for him.
         Therefore the heavenly glory is such a reward as that it is an “inheritance.”  It lies in an inheritance, an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, that does not fade away, reserved in the heavens.  But understand this:
  Rewards are not given to make up for inequities on earth.  The are earned.  All believers, regardless of their status here on earth, must labor with clean hands and hearts in order to be honored in that future day of examination.

“for ye serve the Lord Christ”
Literally:  “for you serve the Lord Christ”— Who is a good Master, and faithful to all His engagements and promises.   .

REASON #2:  Unfaithful Service Will Be Judged

VERSE 25:
“But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done:  and there is not respect of persons.”

“But he that doeth wrong”
Literally:  “But the {one} doing wrong”–It is possible for an unfaithful servant to wrong and defraud his master in a great variety of ways without being detected; but let all such remember what is here said: He that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he has done; God sees him, and will punish him for his breach of honesty and trust. 

       WRONG:  (Grk.–adikōn)It is not really clear whether the Greek phrase, ho adikôn (“he that doeth wrong”) is referring to the master or the slave,  but it is really true and applicable for either one.  Simply stated, adikôn means, to do that which does not conform to the righteous character and standards of a just God.  This involves:

1.      Doing less than one’s best
2.      Doing the minimum rather than their best or maximum.
3.      Doing to impress;
4.      Doing it apart from the heart.

Slaves can fool their earthly masters, but they cannot deceive God.  It is possible for an unfaithful servant to wrong and defraud his master in a great variety of ways without being detected; but all should remember this most important fact:  He that purposely does wrong shall receive payment for the wrong which he has done; God sees him, and will deal with him for his breach of honesty and trust.  A man who is unfaithful in little things will be unfaithful in larger and more important matters.  Therefore, God is the defense against an unfaithful servant.

“wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done:”
Literally:  “will receive what he did wrong” Either in this world, or in the other; God will avenge all such injuries, sooner or later; so that these words may be considered either as said with a view to deter servants from evil practices, or to comfort them under the maltreatment they may meet with from cruel masters.

He that does wrong shall receive back the wrong which he has done (i.e., just retribution in kind), and there is no respect of persons with God and there will be no such respect given by the Great Judge in the Day of the Lord.  He will favor the master no more than the slave (see Rev. 6:15).

“and there is no respect of persons.”    
Literally:  “and there {is} no respect of faces”—There is such respecting with men, but not with God.  
Servants and masters will stand together before God, and will be judged by the same law, and be rewarded or punished according to their character and conduct.

         God neither esteems nor despises any man because of his outward and earthly condition and circumstances; for there is no respect of persons (i.e., difference or regarding) with Him. There is such with men, but not so with God. In the eye of God every man is what he is in his soul.  If his soul is holy, then it is loved; likewise , if the soul is wicked, then it is despised and rejected.  There is a Bible verse I constantly repeat to myself to keep me from thinking I am more than I really am:  “…Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts:  for that which is highly esteemed among men is abominable (a hated or cursed thing) in the sight of God”  (Luke 16:15).  It keeps me from feeling to great about myself.
         It is the will of God that there should be government, law, and order; and that some should command, and others obey; but no degree of power or authority gives any a right to require of others what is wrong, or if they do require it, makes it the duty of others to obey. Each one is bound supremely to regard God, and whatever may be the consequences, to make it the great object in all things to please Him.

         .