Colossians 1:11 - Exposition

In all power being empowered, according to the might of his glory, unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness ( Colossians 1:24 , Colossians 1:29 ; Ephesians 1:19 ; Ephesians 3:16 ; Ephesians 6:10 ; 1 Corinthians 16:13 ; 2 Timothy 1:7 , 2 Timothy 1:8 ; 2 Timothy 2:1 , 2 Timothy 2:3 , 2 Timothy 2:9 , 2 Timothy 2:10 ; 1 Peter 5:10 ). The same word is repeated as noun and verb ( δύναμις , δυναμόω , power, empower ) with a strong Hebraistic sort of emphasis (otherwise in Ephesians 3:16 ). In all ( every kind of ) power gives the mode, according to the might of his glory the measure, and unto all patience, etc., the end of this Divine strengthening. "Might" ( κράτος ) , in distinction from power ( δύναμις ) and other synonyms (comp. Colossians 1:29 ; Ephesians 1:19 ; Ephesians 6:10 ), implies "mastery," "sovereign sway," and, except in Hebrews 2:14 ("might of death"), is used in the New Testament only of the power of God. "Glory," as in Philippians 3:21 , bears a substantive meaning of its own, and is not a mere attributive of "might." It is the splendour of God's revelations of himself, in which his might is So conspicuous. Gazing on this glory, especially as seen in Christ ( 2 Corinthians 4:6 ) and the gospel ( 1 Timothy 1:11 , R.V.), the Christian discerns the might of him from whom it streams forth, and understands how that might is engaged in his behalf ( Ephesians 1:19 , Ephesians 1:20 ; comp. Isaiah 40:28 , Isaiah 40:29 ; Isaiah 42:5 , Isaiah 42:6 ); and this thought fills him with invincible courage and endurance. Patience is steadfastness and stout heartedness under ill fortune (not a mere resigned patience ) ; long suffering is gentleness of temper and magnanimity under ill treatment (comp. Colossians 3:12 ; and see Lightfoot, in loc., and Trench's 'Synonyms'). Christ, in his earthly life, was the supreme example of patience ( 2 Thessalonians 3:5 , R.V.; 1 Peter 2:21-23 ; Hebrews 12:3 , Hebrews 12:4 ), which is "wrought by tribulation" ( Romans 5:4 ): long-suffering finds its pattern in God's dealing with "the unthankful and evil" ( Romans 2:4 ; 1 Timothy 1:16 ; 1 Peter 3:20 ; 2 Peter 3:15 ). "With joyfulness" belongs to this clause (Theodoret, Calvin, Bengel, Alford, Lightfoot) rather than the next, and lends a more vivid force to the foregoing words, while comparatively needless if prefixed to those that follow (so, however, Chrysostom, Erasmus, Meyer, Ellicott—"with joy giving thanks," etc.). This paradox is genuinely Pauline, and arises from personal experience (comp. verse 24; Philippians 1:29 ; Romans 5:3 ; 1 Thessalonians 1:6 ; 2 Corinthians 1:4-8 ; 2 Corinthians 6:10 ; 2 Corinthians 12:9 , 2 Corinthians 12:10 ).