Colossians 1:11
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Study Note
Study Note
Paul's prayer that believers be 'strengthened with all might according to his glorious power' for 'all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness' grounds Christian endurance in divine strength rather than human willpower — a distinction fundamental to Pauline ethics. The Greek 'hupomone' (patient endurance under external trial) and 'makrothumia' (long-suffering toward difficult persons) are distinguished here, covering both circumstantial hardship and relational difficulty. The modifier 'with joyfulness' prevents the virtue from collapsing into stoic resignation, connecting it to the eschatological joy of verse 12 ('giving thanks to the Father'). The phrase 'glorious power' (kratos tēs doxēs autou) echoes Ephesians 1:19's 'surpassing greatness of his power' and points to resurrection power as the source of sanctification.
Other Translations
strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, unto all patience and longsuffering with joy;
in all might being made mighty according to the power of His glory, to all endurance and long-suffering with joy.
Full of strength in the measure of the great power of his glory, so that you may undergo all troubles with joy;
Cross References
Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the …
To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
Surely, shall one say, in the Lord have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all …
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto …
And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his …
To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost …
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not …