^3:20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing in the Lord. ^3:21Fathers,²¹ do not provoke²² your children, so they will not become disheartened. ^3:22Slaves,²³ obey your earthly²⁴ masters in every respect, not only when they are watching—like those who are strictly people-pleasers—but with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord. ^3:23Whatever you are doing,²⁵ work at it with enthusiasm,²⁶ as to the Lord and not for people,²⁷^3:24because you know that you will receive your²⁸ inheritance²⁹ from the Lord as the reward. Serve³⁰ the Lord Christ.

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Colossians 3:23: Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men…

Footnotes

21 Or perhaps “Parents.” The plural οἱ πατέρες (hoi pateres, “fathers”) can be used to refer to both the male and female parent ( πατήρ 1.a).
22 Or “do not cause your children to become resentful” (L&N 88.168). ἐρεθίζω states, “to cause someone to react in a way that suggests acceptance of a challenge, arouse, provoke mostly in bad sense irritate, embitter.”
23 On this word here and in 4:1, see the note on “fellow slave” in .
24 The prepositional phrase κατὰ σάρκα (kata sarka) does not necessarily qualify the masters as earthly or human (as opposed to the Master in heaven, the Lord), but could also refer to the sphere in which “the service-relation holds true.” See κύριος 1.b.
25 The present progressive “are doing” was used in the translation of ποιῆτε (poiēte) to bring out the idea that Paul is probably referring to what they already do for work.
26 Grk “from the soul.”
27 Grk “men”; here ἀνθρώποις (anthrōpois) is used in a generic sense and refers to people in general.
28 The article τῆς (tēs) has been translated as a possessive pronoun, “your” ( ). It may also be functioning to indicate a well-known concept (inheritance as eternal life). See κληρονομία 3: “common in Christian usage (corresp. to the ) (the possession of) transcendent salvation (as the inheritance of God’s children).”
29 The genitive τῆς κληρονομίας (tēs klēronomias) is a genitive of apposition: The reward consists of the inheritance.
30 The form of the term δουλεύετε (douleuete) is ambiguous; it can be read as either indicative or imperative. In favor of the indicative: (1) it seems to explain better the first part of v. 24, esp. “from the Lord” which would then read as: “because you know that you will receive your inheritance from the Lord as a reward for it is the Lord you are serving.” The “for” is supplied to make the relation explicit (it is actually added in many —D1 Ψ 075 𝔐—but the best evidence is against its inclusion). (2) With the imperative, one might expect ὡς τῷ κυρίῳ (hōs tō kuriō), as for example in Eph 6:7. In favor of the imperative: (1) an imperative resumes the ἐργάζεσθε (ergazesthe) in v. 23a and forms a chiasm with it; (2) an imperative makes more sense of the γάρ (gar) in v. 25a; (3) an imperative relates equally well to the preceding statement; (4) a parallel can be found in Rom 12:11 which uses an imperatival participle δουλεύοντες (douleuontes) with the dative τῷ κυρίῳ. For an elaboration of these points see M. J. Harris, Colossians and Philemon (EGGNT), 185–86.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they won’t become discouraged. Slaves, obey your human masters in everything. Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.

NLTNew Living Translation

Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing in the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, so that they will not become discouraged. Slaves, obey your human masters in everything, not while being watched, as people pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, accomplish it from the soul, as to the Lord, and not to people, because you know that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. Serve the Lord Christ.

KJV 1900King James Version

Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

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