Bible Strands
Colossians 3:24
because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The apostle Paul addresses the Colossian believers, placing this clause between an exhortation to work wholeheartedly for the Lord rather than for human approval (Colossians 3:23) and a warning that God impartially repays wrongdoing (Colossians 3:25).
The words — ἀνταπόδοσιν (antapodosin) = reward, ἀπολήμψεσθε (apolēmpsesthe) = you will receive. The text states that believers will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.
The thread — Ephesians 6:8 parallels the promise that the Lord rewards good deeds regardless of social status, and Acts 20:32 links God’s grace to granting an inheritance among the sanctified. Galatians 1:10 reinforces the contrast between seeking human approval and serving God.
Why it lands — The text states that service is directed to Christ and that an inheritance is guaranteed as a reward. It demands that work and loyalty be oriented toward divine accountability rather than human validation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Cross-references
- Ephesians 6:8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
- Acts 20:32 And now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified.
- Galatians 1:10 Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
- Luke 14:14 and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
- 1 Corinthians 7:22 For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman. Conversely, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave.
- Hebrews 10:35 So do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward.
- 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.
- Ephesians 6:6 And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
- Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
- Proverbs 11:18 The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.