Bible Commentary

Colossians 3:17

Colossians 3:17

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public Domain

And everything, whatever ye he doing in word or deed, (do) all in the name of (the) Lord Jesus (1 Corinthians 10:31; 1 Corinthians 5:4; ; 2 Thessalonians 2:17). speaks of "word" only; to it is added the "deed," which stands for all the practical activities of life.

Both meet in the following "all." "The name of the Lord Jesus" is the expression of his authority as "Lord" (, , ; ; ; ; 1 Corinthians 12:3; ; ), and of his personal character and relation to us as "Jesus" (; ; , Revised Text).

(On the prominence of the title "Lord" in this Epistle, see note on .) (For the emphatic, absolute nominative πᾶν at the head of the sentence, comp. ; ; ; ; .

) Giving thanks to God (the) Father through him (; ; ; ). Again thanksgiving is urged on the Colossians. It is to be the accompaniment of daily talk and work—to be offered to God in his character as "Father" (see notes on , , ), and "through the Lord Jesus" (; ), by whom we have access to the Father (; ; , ; ) and receive from him all the benefits of redemption (; ; ; ).

The Daily Devotional

One devotional. Every morning.

The full reading, the passage behind it, and where to go deeper — in your inbox before the day starts. No ads, ever.

We'll send one email to confirm it's really you. Unsubscribe in one tap, any time.

Continue tomorrow

Turn Bible study into a daily habit

Read today's devotional, save your progress, and receive a gentle daily reminder.

Recommended reading

More for Colossians 3:17

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Colossians 3 — OverviewColossians 3 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleI. The apostle exhorts us to set our hearts upon heaven and take them off from this world, ver. 1-4. II. He exhorts to the mortification of sin, in the various instances of it, ver. 5-11. III. He earnestly…Colossians 3 — OverviewColossians 3 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeColossians 3:1, He shows where we should seek Christ; Colossians 3:5, He exhorts to mortification; Colossians 3:10, to put off the old man, and put on Christ; Colossians 3:12, exhorting to charity, humility, and other…Colossians 3 — OverviewColossians 3 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThis chapter contains exhortations to several duties, some more general, which relate to all Christians, and others more particular, which belong to saints in such and such a state of life. The apostle begins with an…Colossians 3:1-17Colossians 3:1-17 · The Pulpit CommentarySECTION VII. THE TRUE CHRISTIAN LIFE. The apostle, having delivered his attack on the system of error inculcated at Colossae, now passes from the controversial to the more practical purport of his letter. There is no…Colossians 3:1-25Colossians 3:1-25 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITIONColossians 3:12-17Colossians 3:12-17 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleThe apostle proceeds to exhort to mutual love and compassion: Put on therefore bowels of mercy, v. 12. We must not only put off anger and wrath (as v. 8), but we must put on compassion and kindness; not only…