Colossians · Chapter 3
Colossians 3:23 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
Read this verse slowly. Let it settle before you move on.
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Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men,"
KJV · King James Version
"And2532 whatsoever3956 3748 1437 ye do4160, do2038 it heartily1537 5590, as5613 to the Lord2962, and2532 not3756 unto men444;"
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses whatsoever, unto, while the WEB renders these as whatever, you, work, for. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
Colossians 3:23 in Colossians 3
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is Colossians 3:23 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of Colossians 3. Read the full chapter →
- v.21 Fathers, don’t provoke your children, so that they won’t be discouraged.
- v.22 Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God.
- v.23 And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men,
- v.24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
- v.25 But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.
Book background
About the Book of Colossians
- Testament
- New Testament
- Genre
- Pauline epistle
- Author
- Paul
- Date written
- c. 60–62 AD
- Audience
- A small church Paul had never visited
- Chapters
- 4
Colossians is Paul's definitive exposition of the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ. Against a proto-gnostic mix of Jewish legalism, asceticism, and angel worship, Paul declares: "In him all the fullness of deity dwells bodily" (2:9). Christ is creator, sustainer, head of the church, and the Christian's complete life.
Setting: Written from Roman imprisonment to counter a syncretistic heresy.
Key themes: supremacy of Christ · fullness · new life · wisdom · identity
Memorisation aid
How to memorise Colossians 3:23
Colossians 3:23 contains 14 words in 4 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
And whatever you do
AWYD
- 2
work heartily
WH
- 3
as for the Lord
AFTL
- 4
and not for men,
ANFM
Frequently asked
FAQ about Colossians 3:23
What does Colossians 3:23 say?
Colossians 3:23 reads: "And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men," — from the New Testament, Colossians (Pauline epistle). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is Colossians 3:23 in?
Colossians 3:23 is in the book of Colossians, traditionally attributed to Paul and written around c. 60–62 AD. Colossians is pauline epistle in the New Testament, originally addressed to A small church Paul had never visited. Best known for the supremacy of Christ (1:15-20).
What is the difference between Colossians 3:23 in WEB and KJV?
Colossians 3:23 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men,". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "And2532 whatsoever3956 3748 1437 ye do4160, do2038 it heartily1537 5590, as5613 to the Lord2962, and2532 not3756 unto men444;". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is Colossians 3:23?
Colossians 3:23 is 14 words in the WEB translation (69 characters), broken into 4 clauses. It is short and well-suited to memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 4 seconds.
How can I memorise Colossians 3:23?
To memorise Colossians 3:23, split it into its 4 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does Colossians 3:23 matter in Colossians?
Colossians is Paul's definitive exposition of the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ. Against a proto-gnostic mix of Jewish legalism, asceticism, and angel worship, Paul declares: "In him all the fullness of deity dwells bodily" (2:9). Christ is creator, sustainer, head of the church, and the Christian's complete life. Colossians 3:23 sits within this larger story — Colossians as a whole emphasises supremacy of Christ, fullness, new life.
How can I apply Colossians 3:23 today?
Many readers use Colossians 3:23 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download Colossians 3:23 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
More designs
10 verses to read next
A fresh set of verses every visit — each on its own photo background. Tap any card to open the full study page.
-
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
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-
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”
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-
Psalm 23:1
“Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.”
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-
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a latter end.”
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-
Romans 8:28
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
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-
1 John 4:8
“He who doesn't love doesn't know God, for God is love.”
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-
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not proud, doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not pr…”
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-
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and no…”
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-
Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
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-
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.”
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More featured verses in Colossians 3
Read full chapter → Colossians 3:1
“If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.”
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Colossians 3:12
“Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;”
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Colossians 3:13
“bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.”
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Colossians 3:14
“Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.”
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