Colossians 3:24
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because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
the reward of the inheritance--"Knowing that it is from the Lord (the ultimate source of reward), ye shall receive the compensation (or recompense, which will make ample amends for your having no earthly possession as slaves now) consisting of the inheritance" (a term excluding the notion of meriting it by works: it is all of grace, Rom 4:14; Gal 3:18). for ye serve--The oldest manuscripts omit "for," then translate as Vulgate, "Serve ye the Lord Christ;" compare Col 3:23, "To the Lord and not unto men" (Co1 7:22-23).
Open source ↗I. The apostle exhorts us to set our hearts upon heaven and take them off from this world (Col 3:1-4). II. He exhorts to the mortification of sin, in the various instances of it (Col 3:5-11). III. He earnestly presses to mutual love and compassion (Col 3:12-17). And concludes with exhortations to relative duties, of wives and husbands, parents and children, masters and servants (Col 3:18-25).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
And now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified.
Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman. Conversely, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave.
and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
So do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward.
And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.
The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.