Colossians 3:23
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Colossians 3:24
Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Proverbs 16:3
Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.
Psalm 90:17
And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.
Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Proverbs 12:11
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
Understanding this theme in its biblical setting
Scripture gives dignity to ordinary labor—whether in a workshop, a household, or a public calling—teaching that work done with integrity and kindness is never wasted in the Lord. Rather than treating individual verses as isolated slogans, Scripture invites us to listen to how the Law, the Psalms, the Prophets, the Gospels, and the apostolic letters speak to one another across centuries of lived faith.
Key passages and their context
Colossians 3:23–24 — Context and meaning
Written as pastoral correspondence to an early church community, this apostolic letter addresses real questions of faith, endurance, and love in everyday life. You can read the surrounding chapter in Colossians 3 to hear how these verses unfold in their full literary flow.
Proverbs 16:3 — Context and meaning
From the biblical wisdom tradition, this passage reflects centuries of careful observation about character, speech, humility, and the fear of the Lord in ordinary decisions. You can read the surrounding chapter in Proverbs 16 to hear how these verses unfold in their full literary flow.
Psalm 90:17 — Context and meaning
As a prayer-poem from the book of Psalms, this verse was composed to be sung and prayed aloud—giving honest voice to both human vulnerability and steadfast trust in God. You can read the surrounding chapter in Psalm 90 to hear how these verses unfold in their full literary flow.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 — Context and meaning
From the biblical wisdom tradition, this passage reflects centuries of careful observation about character, speech, humility, and the fear of the Lord in ordinary decisions. You can read the surrounding chapter in Ecclesiastes 9 to hear how these verses unfold in their full literary flow.
Ephesians 2:10 — Context and meaning
Written as pastoral correspondence to an early church community, this apostolic letter addresses real questions of faith, endurance, and love in everyday life. You can read the surrounding chapter in Ephesians 2 to hear how these verses unfold in their full literary flow.
1 Corinthians 15:58 — Context and meaning
Written as pastoral correspondence to an early church community, this apostolic letter addresses real questions of faith, endurance, and love in everyday life. You can read the surrounding chapter in 1 Corinthians 15 to hear how these verses unfold in their full literary flow.
Proverbs 12:11 — Context and meaning
From the biblical wisdom tradition, this passage reflects centuries of careful observation about character, speech, humility, and the fear of the Lord in ordinary decisions. You can read the surrounding chapter in Proverbs 12 to hear how these verses unfold in their full literary flow.
How to reflect on these passages in daily life
- Read slowly in context: Open the chapter surrounding at least one reference above so you hear the speaker's full argument or prayer before focusing on a single sentence.
- Notice what the text reveals about God: Before asking what you must do, observe how the passage describes God's patience, wisdom, mercy, or faithfulness.
- Carry one question into your day: Keep a single phrase or verse close—whether in a notebook, on your Lock Screen widget, or in evening prayer—and return to it when your attention is scattered.
Continue exploring on Versea
You can continue reading in our Bible verses by topic collection, explore related answers in Questions about the Bible, or study a full passage in Bible lessons.
Questions people ask
01Why should I read the full chapter around these verses on work?
Every biblical verse was written within a specific letter, psalm, historical narrative, or Gospel conversation. Reading the surrounding chapter shows who is speaking, to whom, and what situation prompted the words, preventing isolated phrases from being misunderstood.
02Which translation does Versea quote on this page?
In English, Versea quotes the public-domain King James Version (KJV) directly from verified chapter sources so that no verse text is ever altered or generated by AI. You can also compare the full book context in the Bible library.
03How can I carry this passage into daily prayer and reflection?
Choose one verse from the list above, read it slowly in the morning and evening, and ask one honest question: what does this text show about God's character, and what small step of trust or kindness does it invite today?