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;
Study Note
Study Note
Paul prays that the Colossians might 'walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God' — a fourfold description of mature Christian existence that integrates conduct, productivity, knowledge, and endurance. The phrase 'walk worthy' (axiōs peripatēsai) is a Pauline key concept found also in Ephesians 4:1, Philippians 1:27, and 1 Thessalonians 2:12, establishing that ethical life is calibrated against the weight and character of one's calling. The dynamic of growing in knowledge through fruitful works, and fruitful works through growing knowledge, forms a reciprocal cycle — orthodoxy and orthopraxy mutually reinforce each other in Pauline thought. The prayer context (1:9-14) reminds readers that this transformation is not self-achieved but the result of Spirit-given wisdom and God's strengthening power.
Other Translations
to walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
to your walking worthily of the Lord to all pleasing, in every good work being fruitful, and increasing to the knowledge of God,
Living uprightly in the approval of the Lord, giving fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Cross References
When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant …
But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many …
For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name …
For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the …
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth …
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast …
And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the …
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead …