Colossians 3:24
New International Version
since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

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

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

Berean Standard Bible
because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Berean Literal Bible
knowing that you will receive from the Lord the reward of the inheritance. You serve the Lord Christ!

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

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

New American Standard Bible
knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

NASB 1995
knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

NASB 1977
knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

Legacy Standard Bible
knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. Serve the Lord Christ.

Amplified Bible
knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.

Christian Standard Bible
knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.

American Standard Version
knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance: ye serve the Lord Christ.

Contemporary English Version
In fact, the Lord Christ is the one you are really serving, and you know he will reward you.

English Revised Version
knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance: ye serve the Lord Christ.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You know that your real master will give you an inheritance as your reward. It is Christ, your real master, whom you are serving.

Good News Translation
Remember that the Lord will give you as a reward what he has kept for his people. For Christ is the real Master you serve.

International Standard Version
You know that it is from the Lord that you will receive the inheritance as a reward. It is the Lord Messiah whom you are serving!

Majority Standard Bible
because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. For it is the Lord Christ you are serving.

NET Bible
because you know that you will receive your inheritance from the Lord as the reward. Serve the Lord Christ.

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

Webster's Bible Translation
Knowing that from the Lord ye will receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Weymouth New Testament
For you know that it is from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. Christ is the Master whose bondservants you are.

World English Bible
knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
having known that you will receive the repayment of the inheritance from the LORD—for you serve the LORD Christ;

Berean Literal Bible
knowing that you will receive from the Lord the reward of the inheritance. You serve the Lord Christ!

Young's Literal Translation
having known that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance -- for the Lord Christ ye serve;

Smith's Literal Translation
Knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the reward of inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Knowing that you shall receive of the Lord the reward of inheritance. Serve ye the Lord Christ.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For you know that you will receive from the Lord the repayment of an inheritance. Serve Christ the Lord.

New American Bible
knowing that you will receive from the Lord the due payment of the inheritance; be slaves of the Lord Christ.

New Revised Standard Version
since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Knowing that from the LORD you shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the LORD Christ.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And know that you will receive from our Lord a reward in the inheritance, for you serve THE LORD JEHOVAH The Messiah.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance: for you serve the Lord Christ.

Godbey New Testament
knowing that you will receive the recompense of the inheritance from the Lord. Serve the Lord Christ;

Haweis New Testament
knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye are servants to the Lord Christ.

Mace New Testament
knowing that as you are the servants of Christ our Lord, you shall receive from him the inheritance for your reward.

Weymouth New Testament
For you know that it is from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. Christ is the Master whose bondservants you are.

Worrell New Testament
knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance: ye are doing service to the Lord, Christ.

Worsley New Testament
knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Christian Households
23Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, 24because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25Whoever does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.…

Cross References
Ephesians 6:7-8
Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men, / because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.

Matthew 25:21
His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’

1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Romans 6:22
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the fruit you reap leads to holiness, and the outcome is eternal life.

1 Peter 1:4
and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,

Hebrews 11:26
He valued disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward.

2 Timothy 4:8
From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.

Galatians 6:7-9
Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. / The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. / Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Matthew 5:12
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

Revelation 22:12
“Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done.

1 Corinthians 9:24-25
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize. / Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable.

Luke 6:23
Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For their fathers treated the prophets in the same way.

Hebrews 10:35-36
So do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward. / You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.

James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

1 Peter 5:4
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.


Treasury of Scripture

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

ye shall.

Colossians 2:18
Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

Genesis 15:1
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Ruth 2:12
The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.

for.

John 12:26
If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

Romans 1:1
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

Romans 14:18
For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

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Bondservants Christ Heritage Inheritance Master Receive Recompense Reward Servants Serve Serving
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Colossians 3
1. He shows where we should seek Christ.
5. He exhorts to holiness;
10. to put off the old self, and put on Christ;
12. exhorting to charity, humility,
18. and other duties.














since you know
This phrase emphasizes the certainty and assurance that believers possess. The Greek word for "know" here is "eidotes," which implies a deep, intuitive understanding. In the context of Colossians, Paul is reminding the believers of the knowledge they have received through the gospel. This knowledge is not just intellectual but experiential, rooted in their relationship with Christ. Historically, the early church faced many challenges and uncertainties, but Paul reassures them that their faith provides a firm foundation of truth.

that you will receive
The future tense of "will receive" indicates a promise yet to be fulfilled. The Greek word "apolēpsesthe" suggests a future reward or inheritance. This reflects the eschatological hope that Christians hold, looking forward to the fulfillment of God's promises. In the historical context of the early church, this promise would have been a source of great encouragement amidst persecution and trials, reminding believers that their labor is not in vain.

an inheritance
The concept of "inheritance" is deeply rooted in both Jewish and Christian traditions. The Greek word "klēronomian" refers to a portion or lot, often associated with the land promised to the Israelites. For Christians, this inheritance is spiritual and eternal, signifying the blessings and eternal life promised through Christ. Archaeologically, the idea of inheritance was significant in ancient cultures, often determining one's status and future. In the New Testament, this inheritance is not earned but given by grace through faith.

from the Lord
This phrase underscores the source of the inheritance. The Greek "apo Kyriou" indicates that the Lord is both the giver and the guarantor of this promise. In the Roman world, where patrons often bestowed gifts, Paul clarifies that the ultimate benefactor is the Lord Himself. This would have been a radical notion, as it places Christ above all earthly authorities and benefactors, affirming His sovereignty and generosity.

as a reward
The term "reward" in Greek is "antapodosin," which implies a recompense or repayment. This is not a reward based on human merit but a gracious gift from God. In the scriptural context, it aligns with the biblical principle that God rewards faithfulness and obedience. Historically, this would have been a powerful motivator for the Colossian believers, encouraging them to persevere in their faith and service despite challenges.

It is the Lord Christ you are serving
This final phrase reorients the believer's focus on whom they truly serve. The Greek "Kyriō Christō douleuete" emphasizes servitude to Christ as the ultimate master. In a society where servitude was common, Paul elevates the act of service to a divine level, transforming mundane tasks into acts of worship. This perspective would have been transformative for early Christians, reminding them that their ultimate allegiance is to Christ, not earthly masters, and that their work has eternal significance.

Verse 24. - Knowing that from (the) Lord you will receive the just recompense of the inheritance (Ephesians 6:8; Romans 2:6-11; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 22:12; Psalm 62:12). "Knowing" (εἰδότες) - that of which one is aware, not merely learning or "getting to know" (γινώσκω): see both words in Ephesians 5:5 and John 14:7, Revised Text; also Romans 6:6 and 9; 1 John 5:20. "The absence of the definite article" before Κυρίου "is the more remarkable, because it is studiously inserted in the context" (Lightfoot). St. Paul virtually says, "There is a Master who will recompense you, if your earthly masters never do" (comp. Colossians 4:1). "Just" renders the ἀντὶ in ἀνταπόδοσιν (a word common in LXX), implying "equivalence" or "correspondence" (comp. ἀνταναπληρῶ in Colossians 1:24; also Romans 11:35; Romans 12:19; 1 Thessalonians 3:9; 2 Thessalonians 1:6; Luke 6:38; Luke 14:12, 14) - a reward in the case of each individual, and in each particular, answering to the service rendered to "the Lord" (comp. Matthew 25:14-30). The opposite truth is asserted in ver. 25; Ephesians 6:8 combines them both. The recompense of the faithful Christian slave is nothing less than "the inheritance" of God's children (Colossians 1:12; Ephesians 1:5, 11, 14; Ephesians 3:6; Ephesians 5:5; Romans 8:17; Galatians 3:29; 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10; 1 Corinthians 15:50; Titus 3:7; 1 Peter 1:4), which the apostle has so often under other terms assured to his readers (Colossians 1:5, 23, 27; Colossians 2:18; Colossians 3:4, 15). For a slave to be heir was "a paradox" (Lightfoot): see Galatians 4:1, 7; Romans 8:15-17. No form of praise could be more cheering and ennobling to the despised slave than this. "In Christ," Onesimus is "no longer as a slave, but a brother beloved" (Philemon 1:16), and if a brother, then a joint heir with his master Philemon in the heavenly inheritance (Colossians 3:11). Ye serve the Lord Christ (vers. 22, 25; Colossians 2:6; Ephesians 6:6; Romans 14:8, 9; 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 7:22, 23; John 13:13); that is, Christ is the Lord whose bondmen ye are. "For" is probably a correct gloss, though a corrupt reading. Its insertion indicates that the sentence was read indicatively (Lightfoot, and R.V.); not imperatively ("serve the Lord Christ"), as Meyer, Alford, Ellicott, with the Vulgate, construe it. The verse amounts to this: "Work as for the Lord: he will repay you; you are his servants."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
because you know
εἰδότες (eidotes)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

you will receive
ἀπολήμψεσθε (apolēmpsesthe)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 618: From apo and lambano; to receive; also to take aside.

an inheritance
κληρονομίας (klēronomias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2817: From kleronomos; heirship, i.e. a patrimony or a possession.

from
ἀπὸ (apo)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

[the] Lord
Κυρίου (Kyriou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

[as your]
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

reward.
ἀνταπόδοσιν (antapodosin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 469: A reward, recompense. From antapodidomi; requital.

[It is] the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Lord
Κυρίῳ (Kyriō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

Christ
Χριστῷ (Christō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

you are serving.
δουλεύετε (douleuete)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1398: To be a slave, be subject to, obey, be devoted. From doulos; to be a slave to.


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NT Letters: Colossians 3:24 Knowing that from the Lord you will (Coloss. Col Co)
Colossians 3:23
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