Colossians 3 24

Colossians 3:24 kjv

Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3:24 nkjv

knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3:24 niv

since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Colossians 3:24 esv

knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3:24 nlt

Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.

Colossians 3 verses

Colossians 3 24 Meaning

Colossians 3:24 assures believers that their diligent service, even in ordinary tasks and challenging circumstances, is ultimately rendered unto the Lord Christ. This faithful, Christ-centered service will certainly be met with a divine recompense: the reception of an inheritance, which is the promised blessing of God. It shifts the believer's primary focus and motivation from pleasing earthly authorities to pleasing their true, ultimate Master, the Lord Christ, thereby elevating mundane duties into acts of profound spiritual significance and assuring them of God's unwavering recognition and reward.

Colossians 3 24 Context

Colossians 3:24 is situated within a practical section of Paul's letter known as the "household codes" (Col 3:18-4:1), which provides instruction for daily life and various relationships in the Christian community. Specifically, verses 22-25 address "slaves" (bondservants) and their conduct, which was a significant social class in the Greco-Roman world. The chapter prior emphasizes the believers' union with Christ, having died to their old self and being raised with Him to new life (Col 3:1-4). This theological foundation undergirds the practical exhortations: because believers are "hidden with Christ in God" (Col 3:3) and are "elect, holy, and beloved" (Col 3:12), their daily actions, including their work, should reflect their new spiritual identity. The verse functions as both motivation and assurance: regardless of their social status or earthly masters, bondservants, knowing they ultimately serve Christ, can find dignity and purpose in their labor, understanding that it will not go unrewarded by their heavenly Lord.

Colossians 3 24 Word analysis

• knowing (εἰδότες - eidótes): This is a perfect participle, indicating a state of established, settled, and confident knowledge or conviction. It's not merely intellectual awareness but a deep assurance that forms the basis for action. This profound certainty empowers the believer's diligent service.
• that (ὅτι - hoti): A conjunction that introduces the content of the knowledge.
• from the Lord (ἀπὸ κυρίου - apo Kyríou): The preposition "ἀπὸ" (apo) signifies the source or origin. "Κύριος" (Kyrios), meaning "Lord" or "master," refers unequivocally to Jesus Christ here, particularly as further clarified by the following phrase "the Lord Christ." This highlights that the reward is not humanly earned but divinely bestowed, flowing from Christ's authority and grace.
• you will receive (ἀπολήψεσθε - apolēpsesthe): This verb is in the future tense, signaling a definite and certain future reception. The prefix "ἀπο-" often carries the sense of receiving back or a due recompense, emphasizing the certainty of this forthcoming payment.
• the inheritance (τὴν κληρονομίας - tēn klēronomías): "Κληρονομία" refers to a portion, property, or heritage received by lot or as a legal heir. In Christian context, it is a rich theological term representing the spiritual blessings, eternal life, and the full participation in God's kingdom and His presence that believers receive as adopted children of God. It's an eschatological reality and promise given by grace.
• as your reward (τὴν ἀνταπόδοσιν - tēn antapodósian): "ἀνταπόδοσις" denotes a "recompense," "requital," or "a just payment in return." The construction "the antapodosis of the klēronomía" is significant. It implies that the "recompense" consists of or is identical with "the inheritance," rather than a separate, additional reward. It integrates grace (receiving the inheritance) and divine justice/acknowledgment (the inheritance as a reward for faithful service), demonstrating that God blesses those who live out their faith.
• for you are serving (τῷ γὰρ Κυρίῳ Χριστῷ δουλεύετε - tō gàr Kyríō Christō douleúete):
  • for (γὰρ - gar): This causal conjunction provides the reason, explanation, or justification for the preceding statement ("knowing that..."). It underpins the entire motivation for faithful service.
  • the Lord Christ (τῷ Κυρίῳ Χριστῷ - tō Kyríō Christō): This is a definitive and strong theological title emphasizing Christ's supreme authority, ownership, and deity. He is not merely a lord but the sovereign Lord, the Anointed One, Messiah. This defines the true and ultimate recipient of their service.
  • you are serving (δουλεύετε - douleúete): A present tense verb (active voice), indicating a continuous, ongoing action. "Δουλεύω" specifically means "to serve as a slave or bondservant." This choice of word highlights the absolute and comprehensive dedication expected from one serving a master. It powerfully redefines the bondservant's relationship to their earthly master through the lens of their greater servitude to Christ, providing dignity and purpose to their work.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward": This clause encapsulates the believer's confident hope and spiritual incentive. It transforms any menial or challenging earthly labor by connecting it directly to a divine, certain future. The "inheritance" is fundamentally a gift by grace (being God's adopted children), yet here it is also termed a "reward," illustrating how God's gracious provision fully encompasses His acknowledgment of faithful service rendered within that grace. This firmly roots a believer's motivation in eschatological assurance and God's unwavering faithfulness.
• "for you are serving the Lord Christ.": This definitive statement grounds all prior instruction and motivation in the supreme reality of Christ's lordship. It provides the foundational reason why believers should conduct themselves as they do. It unequivocally declares that believers, regardless of their earthly status, are ultimately bondservants of Christ Himself. This truth elevates every action, every word, every effort to an act of direct service and worship to the divine Son, giving profound meaning to seemingly ordinary or undesirable tasks.

Colossians 3 24 Bonus section

The Colossian "household codes" (Haustafeln), while sharing similarities with contemporary Greco-Roman moral lists, are distinctly Christian due to their underlying Christ-centered motivation ("as to the Lord" and "fearing the Lord"). They subvert conventional power dynamics by calling on all parties (including masters in Col 4:1) to serve Christ, ultimately leveling the spiritual playing field. The specific phrasing "the inheritance as your reward" (τὴν ἀνταπόδοσιν τῆς κληρονομίας) is unique to Colossians and harmonizes two vital biblical concepts: "inheritance" typically received by grace through family status (adoption into God's family) and "reward" given for effort or performance. This signifies that the promised eternal blessings (inheritance) are given in response to faithful living (reward), highlighting God's faithfulness to both His promises and His children's service. The term "δουλεύετε" (serving as a bondservant) underscores a foundational truth of discipleship: all believers are ultimately servants of Christ, belonging entirely to Him.

Colossians 3 24 Commentary

Colossians 3:24 provides profound theological grounding for the practical exhortations in Paul's letter, particularly for those in positions of service. It acts as the cornerstone for understanding the Christian's motivation for work. While initially directed to bondservants in the Roman Empire, its principles are universal: all Christian labor, whether in the workplace, home, or community, finds its ultimate meaning and value in being performed "as unto the Lord." The verse affirms that no diligent work done for Christ will be overlooked or go unrewarded. The "inheritance" signifies the full participation in God's eternal blessings promised to believers, which by grace is theirs through Christ. Simultaneously, this inheritance is also called their "reward," illustrating a dynamic relationship between God's gracious bestowal and His acknowledgement of their faithful service. This is not about earning salvation (which is a free gift), but about God's justice and generosity honoring the righteous fruit of a Spirit-led life. Believers can persevere in challenging roles or thankless tasks with excellence, knowing that their true Master sees their hearts and efforts, and His recompense is far greater than any earthly recognition or payment. This spiritual perspective transforms even the most mundane or difficult work into a sanctified act of devotion to the living Lord Christ.