Please refer back to the entry posted on June 30 for an overview of our passage, found at Col. 1:9 – 14. Our verse for this lesson is, “May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,” (Col.1:11 NASB). As I considered other translations I decided to use a translation derived from the NRSV: “May you be made strong with the strength that comes from his glorious power so that you may be prepared to endure everything with patience and joy.” We will phrase this verse and show it below.
For the purpose of this blog entry we will give only a brief comment about each phrase shown above.
“May you be made strong with” indicates what Paul is praying for. He knows we are going to need strength for that which lies ahead.
“the strength that comes from” indicates this strength has a source outside of ourselves. It is not strength in terms of physical or intellectual power, but spiritual strength. What is the source of energy that fuels this strength?
“His glorious power” is the source of energy. It is strength that comes from the power of the Lord (Eph. 6:10) as we abide in Him (John 15:5), but it does not come without exercise. To be effective, exercise requires resistance and that resistance seems to be our trials which test our faith and results in strength to endure.
We are made strong with the strength that comes from his glorious power, but there is a purpose for that strength. That strength is to prepare us to endure everything with patience and joy.
“so that you may be prepared” suggest that something may, or is going to happen in the future that we need to be prepared for. To be prepared is to make ready, to plan in advance, or put together that which is needed. How many Christians are seeking strength from his glorious power and actively preparing to endure something which lies ahead?
“to endure everything with” suggest many things in this life we are going to need to endure. Those thing might include trials (James 1:2 – 4), fiery ordeals (1 Peter 4:12), tribulations (Romans 5:3), being obedient (1 Peter 1:2), and bearing fruit (John 15:4 – 5).
“patience and joy” indicates how we are to endure. We are not to fret and take things into our own hands when the Lord delays, but we are to wait on him and be strong and let our heart take courage and we are to do it with joy. But what is joy? Joy is an aspect of love which is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) and is dependent on our relationship with the Lord.
We can now add to our personal prayer that which is in the text box above and obtain the following:
Father, fill me with knowledge of your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that I may live my life in a manner worthy of the Lord, able to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Make me strong with the strength that comes from your glorious power so that I may be able to endure everything with patience and joy.
For the purpose of this blog entry we will give only a brief comment about each phrase shown above.
“May you be made strong with” indicates what Paul is praying for. He knows we are going to need strength for that which lies ahead.
“the strength that comes from” indicates this strength has a source outside of ourselves. It is not strength in terms of physical or intellectual power, but spiritual strength. What is the source of energy that fuels this strength?
“His glorious power” is the source of energy. It is strength that comes from the power of the Lord (Eph. 6:10) as we abide in Him (John 15:5), but it does not come without exercise. To be effective, exercise requires resistance and that resistance seems to be our trials which test our faith and results in strength to endure.
We are made strong with the strength that comes from his glorious power, but there is a purpose for that strength. That strength is to prepare us to endure everything with patience and joy.
“so that you may be prepared” suggest that something may, or is going to happen in the future that we need to be prepared for. To be prepared is to make ready, to plan in advance, or put together that which is needed. How many Christians are seeking strength from his glorious power and actively preparing to endure something which lies ahead?
“to endure everything with” suggest many things in this life we are going to need to endure. Those thing might include trials (James 1:2 – 4), fiery ordeals (1 Peter 4:12), tribulations (Romans 5:3), being obedient (1 Peter 1:2), and bearing fruit (John 15:4 – 5).
“patience and joy” indicates how we are to endure. We are not to fret and take things into our own hands when the Lord delays, but we are to wait on him and be strong and let our heart take courage and we are to do it with joy. But what is joy? Joy is an aspect of love which is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) and is dependent on our relationship with the Lord.
We can now add to our personal prayer that which is in the text box above and obtain the following:
Father, fill me with knowledge of your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that I may live my life in a manner worthy of the Lord, able to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Make me strong with the strength that comes from your glorious power so that I may be able to endure everything with patience and joy.
