A STUDY OF COLOSSIANS 3:17
"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by
him" (Colossians 3:17).
“AND WHATSOEVER YE DO”
The word “whatsoever” literally means, “everything whatever.” The original Greek reads like this: “And
everything, whatever you do.” The word “do” denotes action. When you do something you are acting. It is in
the aorist tense, which, as one writer said, “indicates a settled course of action" [John B. Nielson, Beacon
Bible Commentary -- Galatians-Philemon, Vol. IX (Beacon Hill Press -- Kansas City, MO, 1965), Pg.
418].
“IN WORD OR DEED”
The term “word” is from the Greek word logos, and this term is used in a number of different ways in the NT.
Of course, context must always determine the way the word is being used.
The term logos is used as a “Personal Title” for Christ. “In the beginning was the Word (logos), and the Word
(logos) was with God, and the Word (logos) was God . . . And the Word (logos) became flesh, and dwelt among us, . .
.” (John 1:1, 14).
The term also has to do with general speech, that is, "teaching." That is the way the word is used in Col. 3:
17.
The term “deed” is from the Greek word ergon, and it basically means, “work.” This is the way the word is
translated most of the time in the NT. It denotes “an act, deed, thing done." The Pulpit Commentary states
that it “stands for all the practical activities of life" [G.G. Findlay, The Pulpit Commentary -- Galatians-
Colossians, Vol. XX, see exposition on Colossians (Hendrickson Publishers -- Peabody, MA), Pg. 155].
The term “word” would refer to speaking, and the term “deed” would refer to physical action or actually doing a
thing. All speech and all action are under consideration.
“DO ALL”
The word “do” is italicized, which means the translators supplied it. It is not really necessary, since it has
already been used.
The terms “word” and “deed” meet in the word “all." Nothing is left out. A person’s whole life is under
consideration. I Cor. 10:31 is parallel -- “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the
glory of God.” As one writer said, “All speech, all action, every detail of daily living and practice is to be done
in the name of the Lord" [Oliver B. Greene, The Epistle of Paul The Apostle To The Colossians (The
Gospel Hour, Inc. -- Greenville, SC, 1963), Pg. 196].
“IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS”
Throughout the NT, we read about "the name of Jesus" (Please see Mark 16:17; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:6;
8:12; 9:27, 29; I Cor. 1:10; 2 Thess. 3:6). The word "name" is from the Greek word onoma, and is used in
three basic senses in the NT [W.E. Vine, Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament
Words, (Thomas Nelson Publishers -- Nashville, TN, 1985), Pg. 425].
First, the term is used in a general sense, referring to the name of a person (see Luke 1:5, 63).
Second, for all that a "name" implies, of authority, character, rank, majesty, power, excellence, etc., of
everything that the "name" covers.
Third, as standing, by metonymy, for "persons" (see Acts 1:15; Rev. 3:4).
It is in connection with the second sense mentioned above that we wish to consider -- that is, "name" stands
for authority, character, rank, majesty, power, excellence, etc. The main point that we wish to underscore is
that "the name of Jesus" in Col. 3:17 stands for "the authority of Jesus." When the officer says, "Stop, in the
name of the law," he means, "by the authority of the law." When Paul issued commands "in the name of
Jesus," he meant, "by the authority of Jesus" (cf. I Cor. 1:10; 2 Thess. 3:6).
Paul refers to Jesus, as “the Lord Jesus” – “Lord” denoting “Master,” that is one who has authority.
In everything, whatever we do, in word (speaking) or deed (actions) is to be done by the authority of the Lord
Jesus. Paul's statement certainly makes sense, since Jesus said, “All authority is given unto me in heaven and
in earth” (Matt. 28:18). This is certainly in harmony with Peter’s statement in Acts 4:12 – “Neither is there
salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Paul is not saying that whatever we do, we do it “in the spirit of the Lord Jesus,” but as Lenski correctly
observed, “it means that absolutely everything (even our eating and drinking, I Cor. 10:31) is to be done in the
light of the revelation of our Lord and harmonize with that revelation" [R.C.H. Lenski, Commentary On The
New Testament -- Colossians-Philemon, (Hendrickson Publishers -- Peabody, MA, 1998), Pg. 179]. He
continues to say, “It ever reveals Jesus as our Savior-Lord to whom we belong absolutely and altogether”
(Ibid.).
One of the best tests to gauge our conduct by is to ask, “Can I speak (teach) this or can I do this in the name
(by the authority) of Jesus?” John L. Kachelman Jr., in his commentary, quotes David Lipscomb, in which
Lipscomb said, “If he is to do everything in Christ’s name, he must do nothing with which he cannot
associate it" [John L. Kachelman, Jr., Studies In Colossians -- The Savior's Supremacy, (Quality
Publications -- Abilene, TX, 1985), Pg. 109]. In other words, if you do not have the authority of Christ
behind what you are doing, then don’t do it!
Biblical authority permeates throughout the sacred Scriptures. God has never allowed man to operate upon
his own whims. The plea of the Sullivan church of Christ is for all people to respect the authority of the
scriptures in all things -- to speak where the Bible speaks and to be silent where the Bible is silent (cf. I Pet.
4:11; Rev. 22:18-19).
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