because you knowThis phrase emphasizes the certainty and assurance believers have in their faith. The knowledge referred to here is not just intellectual but experiential, rooted in the teachings of Christ and the apostles. This assurance is a recurring theme in the New Testament, as seen in 1
John 5:13, where believers are encouraged to know they have eternal life.
that you will receive
The future tense indicates a promise yet to be fulfilled, pointing to the eschatological hope of Christians. This promise is a central tenet of Christian doctrine, reflecting the belief in future rewards for faithfulness, as seen inMatthew 25:21, where the faithful servant is promised joy and reward.
an inheritance
In the cultural and historical context of the first century, inheritance was a significant concept, often associated with land and family legacy. Biblically, it connects to the Old Testament promises to Israel, such as the land of Canaan. In the New Testament, this inheritance is spiritual, referring to eternal life and the kingdom of God, as seen inEphesians 1:14.
from the Lord
This phrase underscores the divine source of the inheritance, contrasting earthly inheritances that come from human parents. The Lord here refers to God, emphasizing His sovereignty and the divine nature of the promise. This aligns withJames 1:17, which speaks of every good and perfect gift coming from above.
as your reward
The concept of reward is tied to the idea of divine justice and recompense for faithfulness. In the Greco-Roman world, rewards were often given for loyalty and service, a concept that Paul adapts to describe the spiritual rewards for believers. This is echoed inHebrews 11:6, which states that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
This phrase highlights the centrality of Christ in the believer's life and service. It serves as a reminder that all Christian service is ultimately directed towards Christ, not merely human masters. This aligns with the teaching inMatthew 25:40, where serving others is equated with serving Christ Himself. The use of "Lord Christ" emphasizes His authority and divinity, reinforcing the call to serve Him with reverence and dedication.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Paul the ApostleThe author of the letter to the Colossians, writing to encourage and instruct the believers in Colossae.
2.
ColossaeAn ancient city in Asia Minor, where the recipients of the letter resided.
3.
The Colossian ChurchThe community of believers in Colossae, facing challenges from false teachings and needing guidance on living a Christ-centered life.
4.
The Lord ChristCentral to the message of Colossians, emphasizing the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ in all things.
5.
InheritanceA key concept in this verse, referring to the eternal reward promised to believers, rooted in the Jewish understanding of inheritance as a divine promise.
Teaching Points
Understanding Our InheritanceRecognize that our ultimate reward is not earthly but eternal, promised by God through Christ.
Serving Christ in All ThingsEvery task, no matter how mundane, is an opportunity to serve Christ. Approach work with a heart of service to the Lord.
Motivation for ServiceLet the promise of an eternal inheritance motivate and sustain your efforts in serving others and living a Christ-centered life.
Christ as Our MasterAcknowledge Christ as the ultimate authority in your life, guiding your actions and decisions.
Faithfulness in the PresentBe faithful in your current circumstances, knowing that God sees and rewards your diligence and integrity.
Lists and Questions
Top 10 Lessons from Colossians 3
What is their reward?
How can we work effectively during the day?
What is their reward?
What does the Bible say about God's servants?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 knowεἰδότες(eidotes)Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1492:To know, remember, appreciate.thatὅτι(hoti)Conjunction
Strong's 3754:Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.you will receiveἀπολήμψεσθε(apolēmpsesthe)Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 618:From apo and lambano; to receive; also to take aside.an inheritanceκληρονομίας(klēronomias)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2817:From kleronomos; heirship, i.e. a patrimony or a possession.fromἀπὸ(apo)Preposition
Strong's 575:From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.[the] LordΚυρίου(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] theτῷ(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.LordΚυρίῳ(Kyriō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962:Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.ChristΧριστῷ(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) 
