What Does Colossians 3:23 Mean in the King James?
And what soever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
This verse shifts work from performance for human approval to expression from the whole living self, offered to the Lord.
THE MEANING
What you do carries meaning beyond who sees it: it comes from your living soul and is directed toward the Lord. Your work is not measured only by human recognition.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
Your work matters only when people notice or reward it.
THE ROOT
ἐκ ψυχῆς
ek psychēs
GROWS FROM
ψυχ-
psych-
living soul, life, the living self
The phrase means “from the living soul”: the verse points to the living self as the source of the work, not merely a mood of enthusiasm. “Heartily” can sound like intensity; the Greek connects the action to the whole person.
ALSO GROWS
psychē: living soul; life
ψυχή
This is the word behind “heartily,” showing that the work flows from the living self.
psychikos: natural; belonging to the soul or living self
ψυχικός
This related form keeps the same connection to the living self, showing that the root reaches beyond a passing feeling.
ἐργάζεσθε
ergazesthe
GROWS FROM
ἐργ-
erg-
work, labor
The verb translated “do it” carries the sense of working or laboring. Joined to “from the living soul,” it links the whole person not just to inward feeling but to the work itself.
ALSO GROWS
ergazomai: work; labor
ἐργάζομαι
This verb shares the work stem and makes clear that the verse concerns the effort itself.
ergon: work; deed
ἔργον
The related noun names the work or deed, connecting the worker’s living self with what is actually done.
THE PATTERN
Work finds its deeper direction in the one before whom it is done, beyond human recognition.
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:THE THREAD
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?The word translated “soul” here is the same ψυχή (psychē, living soul) behind “heartily” in Colossians. The connection casts wholehearted work as an expression of the living self, whose worth cannot be measured by human reward.
Read the SDV Bible.
Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.
The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.
Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us