Colossians 1:11

Colossians 1:11 is part of Paul's profound prayer for the Colossian believers, revealing the source and purpose of true Christian strength. It emphasizes that believers are empowered by God Himself to live a life marked by enduring virtues, even amidst challenges.

Context

This verse follows Paul's earnest prayer in Colossians 1:9-10, where he asks that they be filled with the knowledge of God's will and walk worthy of the Lord. Verse 11 details a crucial aspect of this worthy walk: the divine enablement necessary to persevere. The Colossian church faced various pressures, including false teachings that diminished the supremacy of Christ and promoted legalism or mysticism. Paul's prayer for their strength was vital for them to stand firm against these influences and live out their faith consistently.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Empowerment: The verse highlights that strength comes not from human effort or resolve alone, but "according to his glorious power." This is God's own magnificent and active power at work within believers. It's a supernatural enablement for a supernatural life.
• Purposeful Endurance: The strength granted by God is for a specific purpose: to cultivate "all patience and longsuffering." Patience (Greek: hypomonē) refers to steadfast endurance under trials, difficulties, and afflictions without giving up. Longsuffering (Greek: makrothymia) speaks to patience with people, a slowness to anger or retaliation when wronged or provoked. Both are essential for healthy Christian living and relationships.
• Joyful Perseverance: Crucially, this endurance is to be "with joyfulness." This is not a forced cheerfulness, but a deep, abiding joy (Greek: chara) that transcends circumstances, rooted in God's presence and promises. It signifies that even in difficult times, believers can experience an inner gladness because of their relationship with Christ and the knowledge of His sustaining power. This echoes the sentiment found in James 1:2, "Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations."

Linguistic Insights

The term "strengthened" comes from the Greek word dynamoō, related to dynamis, meaning inherent power or ability. This is the root of English words like "dynamite" and "dynamic," suggesting an explosive, active power. The phrase "glorious power" combines doxa (glory, splendor) with dynamis, emphasizing the magnificent and awe-inspiring nature of God's strength. The distinction between hypomonē (patience under circumstances) and makrothymia (patience with people) is significant, showing the comprehensive nature of the endurance God provides.

Practical Application

For believers today, Colossians 1:11 is a powerful reminder that our ability to endure life's challenges and difficult relationships does not come from our own reserves but from God's inexhaustible power. It encourages us to:

• Pray for Strength: Recognize our need for divine enablement daily. We can pray for the same strength Paul prayed for the Colossians.
• Embrace Endurance: Understand that God's power equips us for steadfastness through trials and for graciousness towards others, even when they test our patience.
• Cultivate Joy: Seek to maintain a spirit of joy, not as a denial of pain, but as an expression of faith in God's sovereignty and goodness, even in adverse situations. This supernatural joy is a hallmark of the Spirit-filled life, as described in the fruit of the Spirit.

This verse calls us to rely fully on God's "glorious power" to live a life of resilient faith, marked by patience, longsuffering, and joy.