Last year I looked at the Top 10 Most Shared Bible Verses from 2013 in their context. They have recently posted their 2014 list and to my surprise there are ten new most shared verses, so I figured I’d look at these ten popular verses in their context again this year. Today we will look Colossians 3:23-24—which according to YouVersion was the most shared verse in 2014.
The Verse:
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. (Colossians 3:23-24 ESV)
The Context:
Colossians 3:18-4:1 is a shortened version of Ephesians 5:22—6:9. Just as in Ephesians, Paul begins his letter by expounding upon the complete redemption that believers have in Christ Jesus. And once again, like Ephesians, in the middle of the letter Paul begins to exhort these believers based upon what Christ has accomplished.
In Colossians 3, Paul encourages the Colossian believers to “put to death” what is earthly and to “put on” that which corresponds to their new life in Christ. I believe in 3:17 Paul sums up that section by saying, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
After this exhortation—which I believe applies to relationships within the church at large—Paul now makes application upon the home. He moves from wives to husbands to children, and then to slaves. It is within this exhortation to slaves that we find Colossians 3:23-24.
In context this verse is directed to household slaves. So can we apply these verses today if we aren’t slaves?
The Meaning:
In order to understand this verse we have to first dispel our typical notions of “slavery”. The slaves that Paul is speaking to in this passage are not people enslaved against their own will. But we also cannot too quickly dismiss the fact that a slave is owned by his master. Douglas Moo is correct when he says:
It is true that ancient slavery differed in some important ways from slavery practiced, for instance, in 19th century America…But it is also true that ancient and modern slavery, in its various forms, has in common the basic fact that one human owns and has virtually ultimate control over another. (Moo, 308)
So we not be too quick to make a one-to-one connection between slavery and employment. Paul’s main point here is that even if you find yourself in a really terrible situation like ancient slavery you are still to represent Jesus in the way you work heartily.
And lest anyone believe that Paul is here condoning some sort of slavery it is important to note that he refers to their masters as “earthly”. Which, I believe if you follow Paul’s line of thought even this institution is part of the old age. Yet because of the already, not yet of redemption while they wait for Jesus to make all things right—they are too serve with vigor as if they are serving the Lord.
So, what meaning does this have for people today that don’t find themselves enslaved? Can we apply this to the employer and employee relationship?
Yes. Even though the near application is to slaves, we see that these principles apply to the employer and employee relationship as well. That which would have made a faithful slave will also make a faithful employee. Likewise, the attitude that would make a master faithful to the Lord also apply to an employer.
In fact, there are seeds here in Colossians that would actually lead to an eradication of slavery and lead to a shift to an employee/employer type of relationship. Therefore, it is not difficult to make this application.
Conclusion:
All of this leads me to wonder why in the world Colossians 3:23-24 is the most shared verse. My only hypothesis is that many believers, or their friends, are in jobs that they do not necessarily enjoy. As such we need encouragement to be faithful in our work.
Furthermore, within Colossians 3:23-24 is a purpose for your work—you are working for God and for his kingdom. That is a reason to get out of bed in the morning. Yeah, you may dislike your job and your boss may be a real goober—but Jesus is Lord over you and He is wonderful. Serve Him with passion and that’ll transform the way you view your Mondays.
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