Understanding Work and Keep: Following God's Commands

What is a Work and keep?

The biblical phrase 'work and keep' encapsulates the active and faithful fulfillment of divine commands, particularly in the context of covenantal responsibility.

In Exodus 20:8-11, the command to 'remember the Sabbath and keep it holy' pairs 'work' (laboring six days) with 'keep' (resting on the seventh), illustrating a rhythm of obedience tied to God’s creative order. Colossians 3:23-24 recontextualizes this principle for believers, urging them to 'work heartily' as serving Christ, with 'keep' implying sustained devotion to His purposes. Both passages frame 'work and keep' as a holistic commitment to aligning daily life with God’s will.

This dual focus on action and preservation highlights the biblical vision of obedience as both active engagement and faithful endurance, bridging temporal duties with eternal significance.

The Theological Significance of Work and Keep

The interplay of 'work and keep' in Scripture reveals a divine rhythm rooted in God’s own character and creative activity.

Exodus 20:11 explicitly ties the Sabbath command to the creation narrative, stating, 'For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day.' Here, God’s 'work' establishes order and life, while His 'keeping' (resting) sanctifies time as a reflection of His sovereignty. This pattern elevates work as purposeful and rest as sacred, both mirroring God’s creative authority. Colossians 3:23-24 reimagines this dynamic for believers, declaring, 'Whatever you do, work heartily as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.' In this context, 'work' becomes an act of worship, and 'keep' implies steadfast trust in God’s provision, aligning human labor with eternal purposes.

Together, these passages underscore that work and rest are not mere duties but expressions of God’s character—His creativity, faithfulness, and redemptive care. This rhythm invites believers to embody His order while anticipating the fullness of His kingdom, where labor and rest harmonize in His presence.

How to Read Work and Keep Correctly

Interpreting 'work and keep' requires attention to their covenantal context and the balance between action and preservation in Scripture.

In Exodus 20:8-11, 'work' (laboring six days) and 'keep' (resting on the seventh) reflect a rhythm rooted in God’s creation pattern, where work is purposeful and rest is sacred. Colossians 3:23-24 recontextualizes this for believers, framing 'work' as active service to Christ and 'keep' as sustained faithfulness to His redemptive mission. Both passages emphasize that these terms are not transactional but relational, binding human responsibility to God’s character and covenantal promises.

A common pitfall is reducing 'work' to mere productivity or 'keep' to passive inaction. Instead, these terms call for intentional alignment with God’s design, whether in temporal duties (Exodus) or eternal stewardship (Colossians). This distinction invites readers to see all labor as worship and all rest as a testimony to God’s sovereignty.

Going Deeper

Exploring the themes of Sabbath theology, labor ethics, and New Testament teachings on work can deepen your understanding of 'work and keep' in Scripture.

Sabbath theology (Exodus 20:8-11) roots rest in God’s creative rhythm, while labor ethics in Deuteronomy 5:12-15 emphasize justice for workers. In the New Testament, Colossians 3:23-24 redefines work as service to Christ, and 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 calls for ethical diligence. These passages invite reflection on how work honors God and reflects His character.