Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
Parallel translations
- WEB knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free.
- BSB because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
- NKJV knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
- NASB knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive this back from the Lord, whether slave or free.
- NLT Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Whatever good anyone does, slave or free, the Lord will reward. God sees and repays faithful service regardless of one's station.
Overview
Paul gives a motivating assurance: the Lord will reward every good deed, 'whether he is bound or free.' Social status does not affect God's just and gracious reckoning. This promise dignifies the humblest faithful labor and encourages believers to serve well, knowing their reward comes from Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- Col 3:24Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
- Luke 14:14And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
- Matt 6:4That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
- Matt 16:27For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
- 2 Cor 5:10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
- Prov 11:18The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
- Matt 10:41–42He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.
- Luke 6:35But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
- Col 3:11Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
- Prov 23:18For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.
- Rom 2:6–10Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
- Matt 6:1Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
- Matt 5:12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
- Heb 10:35Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
- Isa 3:11Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.
- Gal 3:28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
- Heb 11:26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
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Original language
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