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Colossians 1:10

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so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brownv. 10

Greek, "So as to walk"; so that ye may walk. True knowledge of God's will is inseparable from walking conformably to it. worthy of the Lord-- (Eph 4:1). unto--so as in every way to be well-pleasing to God. pleasing--literally, "desire of pleasing." being fruitful--Greek, "bearing fruit." This is the first manifestation of their "walking worthy of the Lord." The second is, "increasing (growing) in the knowledge of God (or as the oldest manuscripts read, 'growing BY the full knowledge of God')"; thus, as the Gospel word (Col 1:6) was said to "bring forth fruit," and to "grow" in all the world, even as it did in the Colossians, ever since the day they knew the grace of God, so here it is Paul's prayer that they might continue to "bring forth fruit," and "grow" more and more by the full knowledge of God, the more that "knowledge" (Col 1:9) was imparted to them. The full knowledge of God is the real instrument of enlargement in soul and life of the believer [ALFORD]. The third manifestation of their walk is (Col 1:11), "Being strengthened with all might," &c. The fourth is (Col 1:12), "Giving thanks unto the Father," &c.

Open source ↗
Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 10

We have here, I. The inscription, as usual (Col 1:1, Col 1:2). II. His thanksgiving to God for what he had heard concerning them - their faith, love, and hope (Col 1:3-8). III. His prayer for their knowledge, fruitfulness, and strength (Col 1:9-11). IV. An admirable summary of the Christian doctrine concerning the operation of the Spirit, the person of the Redeemer, the work of redemption, and the preaching of it in the gospel (v. 12-29).

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Ephesians 4:1rank 61

As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received:

Hebrews 13:21rank 42

equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

John 15:16rank 29

You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.

I John 3:22rank 26

and we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight.

I Thessalonians 4:1rank 21

Finally, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to live in a way that is pleasing to God, just as you have received from us. This is how you already live, so you should do so all the more.

Hebrews 13:16rank 19

And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

John 15:8rank 17

This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, proving yourselves to be My disciples.

Titus 3:14rank 14

And our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet the pressing needs of others, so that they will not be unfruitful.

Proverbs 16:7rank 14

When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.

II Peter 3:18rank 13

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

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