Do It All In the Name of Jesus Christ

Do life’s everyday responsibilities, like loading and unloading the dishwasher, cause you to mumble under your breath? Or do you find yourself grumbling about the mundane tasks assigned at work? Perhaps the wear-and-tear of serving weekly in the church nursery or on the worship team leaves you feeling drained and critical. It’s easy to grow weary in serving others and even easier to let our thoughts and words slip into negativity. Yet, God’s Word offers a different way—a call to approach every moment with purpose and gratitude.

Colossians 3:17, from the English Standard Version (ESV), says: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." This verse challenges us to transform how we view our daily lives, urging us to see every action and every word as an opportunity to honor Jesus. In this blog post, we will exegete this powerful passage, unpack key phrases using the original Greek, explore its context, examine scriptural examples, and practically apply its truths to our lives.

From Grumbling to Gratitude

In a world where being outspoken, critical, and argumentative is often celebrated—especially on social media and the Internet—it’s tempting to let grumbling become second nature. Whether it’s the monotony of household chores, the frustrations of a demanding job, or the unseen efforts in church ministry, dissatisfaction can creep in. We might not even realize how habitual complaining has become.

Yet, Scripture calls us to a higher standard. Philippians 2:14 instructs, "Do all things without grumbling or disputing," pointing us toward a life marked by contentment and peace. Colossians 3:17 takes this further, offering a transformative principle: every word we speak and every deed we perform can be an act of worship when done in the name of the Lord Jesus, with thanksgiving to God. This isn’t just about avoiding complaints—it’s about reorienting our entire existence around Christ.

In this post, we’ll dive deep into Colossians 3:17. We’ll explore what it means to live “in the name of the Lord Jesus,” uncover the richness of the original language, and see how this verse fits within the broader call to new life in Christ. Through Biblical examples and practical applications, my hope is that you’ll be inspired to approach even the most mundane tasks with a heart of worship, knowing that everything you do matters to God.

Exegesis of Colossians 3:17

To grasp the full weight of Colossians 3:17, let’s break it down phrase by phrase, examining the original Greek and its implications for us today.

"Whatever you do"

Greek Text: "πᾶν ὅ τι ἐὰν ποιῆτε" (pan ho ti ean poiēte)

Meaning: The word πᾶν (pan) means “all” or “every,” paired with ὅ τι ἐὰν (ho ti ean), “whatever,” and ποιῆτε (poiēte), “you do.” Together, this phrase is all-encompassing—no action is excluded.

Implication: Everything falls under this command from the smallest task (like folding laundry) to the biggest decision (like choosing a career). No part of life is too trivial to be touched by Christ’s lordship. This universality challenges us to reject the sacred-secular divide and see life as a canvas for worship.

"In word or deed"

Greek Text: "ἐν λόγῳ ἢ ἐν ἔργῳ" (en logō ē en ergō)

Meaning: Λόγῳ (logō) means “word” or “speech,” and ἔργῳ (ergō) means “deed” or “work.” The conjunction ἢ (ē), “or,” connects them inclusively.

Implication: This specifies that both what we say and what we do are under scrutiny. Our words—whether a casual conversation or a public speech—and our actions—whether serving coffee or leading a ministry—are all arenas where Christ’s name is at stake. It’s a call to integrity in both speech and behavior.

"Do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus"

Greek Text: "πάντα ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ" (panta en onomati Kyriou Iēsou)

Meaning: Πάντα (panta) reiterates “all things,” reinforcing totality. Ὀνόματι (onomati) means “name,” and Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ (Kyriou Iēsou) is “Lord Jesus.” In biblical culture, a “name” signifies authority, character, and reputation.

Implication: To do something “in the name of the Lord Jesus” means:

Acting as His Representative: We are ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), reflecting His character—His love, holiness, and humility—in all we do.

Relying on His Authority: Our strength and ability come from Him, as Jesus said, "Apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

Aiming to Glorify Him: Our goal is His honor, not our own. This echoes 1 Corinthians 10:31: "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

Significance: This is the heart of the verse—a radical call to align every motive, word, and action with Jesus’ will. It’s not enough to do good; we must do it for His sake. For example, David confronted Goliath “in the name of the Lord Almighty” (1 Samuel 17:45), trusting God’s power, not his own.

"Giving thanks to God the Father through him"

Greek Text: "εὐχαριστοῦντες τῷ Θεῷ Πατρὶ δι’ αὐτοῦ" (eucharistountes tō Theō Patri di’ autou)

Meaning: Εὐχαριστοῦντες (eucharistountes), a present participle from εὐχαριστέω (eucharisteō), means “giving thanks” continuously. Τῷ Θεῷ Πατρὶ (tō Theō Patri) is “to God the Father,” and δι’ αὐτοῦ (di’ autou) is “through him,” referring to Jesus.

Implication: Gratitude isn’t optional—it’s integral. We thank God:

For His Gifts: Every ability and opportunity comes from Him (James 1:17).

Through Christ: Jesus is our mediator (1 Timothy 2:5), the one through whom we approach the Father.

In All Things: This attitude shifts us from grumbling to joy, even in hardship.

Significance: Thankfulness keeps us humble and dependent, reminding us that our service is ultimately to God, not just people. It’s a Trinitarian act—directed to the Father, enabled by the Son, and empowered by the Spirit.

The New Life in Christ

Colossians 3:17 isn’t a standalone command; it’s the capstone of a passage (Colossians 3:12-17) describing the “new self” in Christ. Written by Paul to the church in Colossae—a community facing false teachings—this letter emphasizes Christ’s supremacy and the practical outworking of faith.

In Colossians 3:12-17, Paul urges believers, as God’s chosen ones, to “put on” virtues like compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love, which binds them all together. He calls them to let Christ’s peace rule their hearts and His word dwell richly within them, expressed through teaching, admonishing, and worship. Verse 17 summarizes this: all these qualities should permeate every word and deed, done in Jesus’ name with thanksgiving.

This context shows that living “in the name of the Lord Jesus” flows from our identity as new creations (Colossians 3:10). It’s not about isolated acts of piety but a holistic lifestyle where faith shapes everything—relationships, work, and worship.

Lessons from Grumbling and Service

The Bible offers vivid examples of those who failed to live this way and those who exemplified it.

Negative Example: The Israelites’ Grumbling

The Israelites’ wilderness journey is a cautionary tale. Despite God’s provision—manna, water, and guidance—they grumbled repeatedly. In Numbers 14:27, after rejecting the Promised Land, God says, "How long will this wicked community grumble against me?" Their complaints reflected distrust and ingratitude, leading to 40 years of wandering. This warns us: grumbling dishonors God and blinds us to His blessings.

Grumbling Against Jesus

Jesus faced grumbling too. In Luke 19:7, when He visited Zacchaeus, the crowd muttered, "He has gone in to be the guest of a sinner." In John 6:43, after teaching about being the Bread of Life, Jesus told the crowd, "Stop grumbling among yourselves." These reactions show how easily criticism replaces faith—a pattern James 5:9 warns against: "Do not grumble against one another."

Positive Example: Jesus Washing Feet

Contrast this with Jesus. In John 13:1-17, He washed His disciples’ feet—a lowly task—saying, "I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you" (v. 15). Facing betrayal and death, He served humbly, doing it all for God’s glory. This models how no task is beneath us when done in His name.

More Examples

Joseph: Sold into slavery, Joseph served faithfully in Egypt, trusting God’s plan (Genesis 39-41). His work honored God, saving many lives.

Daniel: In Babylon, Daniel served with excellence and integrity, reflecting his devotion to God (Daniel 1:8-20).

These stories show that living for Jesus transforms our attitude, no matter the circumstance.

Practical Application

How do we apply this in our lives? Here are practical ways to live out Colossians 3:17:

Reframe Your Perspective on Work

Truth: Colossians 3:23-24 says, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men... It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

Application: View tasks—whether chores or a job—as service to Christ. When I once grumbled about cleaning up after a church event, shifting my focus to serving Jesus brought joy instead of resentment.

Guard Your Speech

Truth: Ephesians 4:29 urges, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up."

Application: Before speaking, ask, “Can I say this in Jesus’ name?” Avoid gossip or complaints, choosing words that reflect His love.

Serve with Gratitude

Truth: Thankfulness is a command (Colossians 3:15).

Application: Start tasks with a prayer of thanks. Thank God for your job, family, or ministry opportunities, letting gratitude shape your attitude.

Glorify God in All Things

Truth: 1 Corinthians 10:31 applies here too.

Application: Evaluate actions: “Does this honor Jesus?” Skip unethical shortcuts at work or leisure that dishonor Him.

Reflect Christ in Relationships

Truth: Love and forgiveness flow from Christ’s example (Colossians 3:13).

Application: Serve your spouse, forgive a friend, or help a stranger, doing it as unto Jesus.

Scenarios

Parenting: Discipline with patience, seeing it as a ministry to God.

Workplace: Work diligently, even in an unfulfilling job, as a witness to Christ.

Leisure: Choose entertainment that aligns with His name.

A Life of Worship

Colossians 3:17 invites us to see every moment as sacred. By doing all things—words and deeds—in the name of the Lord Jesus, with thanks to God, we turn grumbling into gratitude and duty into worship. This is not easy in a culture that prizes criticism, but it’s possible through Christ’s strength.

As you face daily tasks, remember: you serve the Lord Christ. Let this truth inspire excellence, love, and joy, knowing your labor isn’t in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). May we live fully for Jesus, bringing glory to God in all we do.\