Colossians 1 · Verse 11

Colossians 1:11

Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Colossians 1:11, King James Version

Colossians 1:11 in other translations

BSBbeing strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have full endurance and patience, and joyfully
WEBstrengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy,
ASVstrengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, unto all patience and longsuffering with joy;
YLTin all might being made mighty according to the power of His glory, to all endurance and long-suffering with joy.
DARBYstrengthened with all power according to the might of his glory unto all endurance and longsuffering with joy;
BBEFull of strength in the measure of the great power of his glory, so that you may undergo all troubles with joy;
WebsterStrengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, to all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness;

What does Colossians 1:11 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
11. Greek, "Being made mighty with (literally, 'in') all might." according to his glorious power--rather, "according to the power (the characteristic of 'His glory,' here appropriate to Paul's argument, Ep 1:19; 6:10; as its exuberant 'riches,' in Ep 3:16) of His glory." His power is inseparable from His glory (Ro 6:4). unto all patience--so as to attain to all patient endurance; persevering, enduring continuance in the faith, in spite of trials of persecutors, and seductions of false teachers. long-suffering--towards those whom one could repel. "Patience," or "endurance," is exercised in respect to those whom one cannot repel [Chrysostom]. with joyfulness--joyful endurance (Ac 16:25; Ro 5:3, 11).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 11. Strengthened with all might. This was also an object of Paul's earnest prayer. He desired that they might be strengthened for the performance of duty; to meet temptations; and to bear up under the various trials of life.

According to his glorious power. Not by any human means, but by the power of God. There is a manifestation of power in the spirit with which Christians are enabled to bear up under trims, which shows that it is not of human origin. It is the power which God gives them in the day of trial. This power is "glorious," or, as it is in the Greek, it is the "power of his glory." It is manifestly the power of the great and glorious God, and it tends to promote his glory, and to show forth his praise.

Unto all patience. So that you may be enabled to bear all your trials without murmuring. It is only the power of God that can enable us to do that.

And longsuffering. 1Cor 13:4.

With joyfulness. Rom 5:3; 2Cor 7:4. The Syriac version, Chrysostom, and a few Mss. attach this to the following verse, and read it, "With joyfulness giving thanks to the Father," etc. The only difference is in the pointing, and either reading makes good sense.

(i) "Strengthened" Isa 14:24 (k) "patience" Jas 1:4 (l) "joyfulness" Rom 5:3

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 11 Strengthened with all might - That they might be able to walk worthy of the Lord, bring forth fruit, etc. See the notes on Eph 3:13, etc. According to his glorious power - According to that sufficiency of strength which may be expected from him who has all power both in the heavens and in the earth. Unto all patience - Relieving, hoping, and enduring all things. With joyfulness - Feeling the continual testimony that ye please God, which will be a spring of perpetual comfort. See the notes on Eph 4:2.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Colossians 1:9-14

The apostle was constant in prayer, that the believers might be filled with the knowledge of God's will, in all wisdom. Good words will not do without good works. He who undertakes to give strength to his people, is a God of power, and of glorious power. The blessed Spirit is the author of this. In praying for spiritual strength, we are not straitened, or confined in the promises, and should not be so in our hopes…

Read the full comment on Colossians 1:9-14 →

Colossians 1:11 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἐνenwithG1722
πάσῃpasēallG3956
δυνάμειdunameipowerG1411
δυναμούμενοιdunamoumenoibeing strengthenedG1412
κατὰkataaccording toG2596
τὸtotheG3588
κράτοςkratosmightG2904
τῆςtēs<the>G3588
δόξηςdoxēsgloriousG1391
αὐτοῦautouof HimG846
εἰςeisuntoG1519
πᾶσανpasanallG3956
ὑπομονὴνhupomonēnenduranceG5281
καὶkaiandG2532
μακροθυμίανmakrothumianpatienceG3115

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Colossians 1:11

  • Ephesians 3:16

    That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

  • Philippians 4:13

    I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

  • Ephesians 6:10

    Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

  • Ephesians 4:2

    With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

  • Romans 5:3-5

    And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

  • 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

    And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:7

    But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

  • James 1:2-4

    My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

  • James 5:7-8

    Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:4-6

    But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4

    That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

  • Hebrews 11:34-38

    Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; …

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Strengthened.
Isa 45:24; 2Co 12:9; Eph 3:16; 6:10; Php 4:13
his.
Ex 15:6; Ps 63:2; Ac 1:8; 2Co 4:7; Jude 1:25
unto.
Pr 24:10; Ac 5:41; Ro 2:7; 5:3-5; 2Co 6:4-6; 12:9,10; Eph 4:2
1Th 3:3,4; 2Ti 2:1-3; Heb 10:34-38; 11:34-38; 12:1,2; Jas 1:2-4
Jas 5:7,8; 2Pe 1:6; Re 14:12

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Colossians 1:10

    That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

  • Colossians 1:11

    Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

  • Colossians 1:12

    Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Read all of Colossians 1

Colossians 1:11 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Corroborados de toda fortaleza, conforme á la potencia de su gloria, para toda tolerancia y largura de ánimo con gozo;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
étant fortifiés en toute force, selon la puissance de sa gloire, pour toute patience et constance, avec joie,
German
Elberfelder 1871
gekräftigt mit aller Kraft nach der Macht seiner Herrlichkeit, zu allem Ausharren und aller Langmut mit Freuden;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
in omni virtute confortati secundum potentiam claritatis ejus, in omni patientia et longanimitate cum gaudio,