"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters."
— Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
Colossians 3:23 is the "work at it with all your heart" verse, Paul's reminder that ordinary work is done for the Lord. This page gives the verse, what the key words mean, where it sits in Colossians 3, and a plain reading. For more on the theme, see Bible verses about work, Love and work, and Bible verses about calling.
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The verse
The King James reads: "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men."
"Whatever" is pas (G3956), all or every. "Work at it" is ergazomai (G2038), to labor. "With all your heart" (KJV "heartily") is literally "from the soul," using psyche (G5590). "Lord" is kyrios (G2962), and "human masters" (KJV "men") is anthropos (G444).
Where it sits in Colossians 3
The verse is part of Paul's instructions for households (Colossians 3:18 to 4:1). Verse 22 speaks directly to slaves, telling them to work "not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord." Verse 23 widens it to "whatever you do."
The next verse gives the reason: "since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving" (Colossians 3:24). "Inheritance" there is kleronomia (G2817). A few verses earlier Paul had already said, "whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Colossians 3:17). The same section also turns to masters: "provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven" (Colossians 4:1).
What the verse is saying
Paul is not telling people to work harder to impress a boss. He is changing who the work is for. Whether anyone notices, the real audience is the Lord, so the work gets your whole effort and your honesty.
That makes ordinary jobs, chores, and caregiving part of serving Christ. Paul says the same in another letter: "whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). Proverbs puts it this way: "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans" (Proverbs 16:3).
Questions people ask
What does Colossians 3:23 say?
In the NIV it says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." The KJV reads, "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men."
What does "work at it with all your heart" mean?
The Greek says to work "from the soul," meaning with your whole self and real effort, not just enough to get by or to look good while someone is watching.
Who was Colossians 3:23 written to?
It sits in Paul's instructions to households, and the verse before it speaks to slaves. Christians have long applied the principle to all work, because Paul says "whatever you do" and reminds masters that they serve a Master in heaven too (Colossians 4:1).
What is the reward in Colossians 3:24?
Paul says workers "will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward." The reward comes from Christ, not from the people who see or pay for the work.
What other verses are like Colossians 3:23?
Colossians 3:17 (do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus), 1 Corinthians 10:31 (do it all for the glory of God), Proverbs 16:3 (commit to the Lord whatever you do), and 1 Corinthians 15:58 (your labor in the Lord is not in vain) are close companions.
