Whatever ye be doing, work (therein) from (the) soul, as to the Lord, and not to men (Colossians 3:17; Ephesians 6:6, Ephesians 6:7; 1 Corinthians 7:21-23). (On the first clause, see Colossians 3:17.) In the Revised Text, however, the turn of expression differs from that of Colossians 3:17, πᾶν being cancelled.
The writer is thinking, not so much of the variety of service possible, as of the spirit which should pervade it. "Do" is replaced in the second clause by the more energetic "work," opposed to indolent or useless doing (comp.
Ephesians 4:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:10; John 5:17; John 9:4). "From [ ἐκ, out of] the soul "indicates the spring of their exertions—inward principle, not outward compulsion; the servant must put his soul into his work.
"Soul" implies, even more than "heart," the engagement of the man's best individual powers (comp. Philippians 1:27, as well as Ephesians 6:6). The slaves' daily taskwork is to be done, not only in sight and in fear of the Lord (Colossians 3:22 b; Ephesians 5:21), but as actually "to the Lord."
Him they are serving (Colossians 3:24 b), who alone is "the Lord" (Colossians 2:6); every mean and hard task is dignified and sweetened by the thought of being done for him, and the commonest work must be done with the zeal and thoroughness that his service demands (comp.
Ephesians 6:7, "with good will doing bond service"). The word "not" ( ου) instead of μὴ) implies that their service is actually rendered to One other and higher than "men" (1 Corinthians 7:22; Galatians 1:10).