The Meaning of Colossians 1:10 Explained

Colossians 1:10

KJV: That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

YLT: to your walking worthily of the Lord to all pleasing, in every good work being fruitful, and increasing to the knowledge of God,

Darby: so as to walk worthily of the Lord unto all well-pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and growing by the true knowledge of God;

ASV: to walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

That ye  might walk  worthy  of the Lord  unto  all  pleasing,  being fruitful  in  every  good  work,  and  increasing  in  the knowledge  of God; 

What does Colossians 1:10 Mean?

Context Summary

Colossians 1:9-20 - Our Wondrous Privileges In Christ
Here is a paragraph which may fitly form part of our daily intercession for ourselves and others. We all need a quicker insight into God's will, and this is only acquired through the wisdom and understanding communicated by the Holy Spirit to our spirits. But that understanding is conditioned, as in Colossians 1:10, by a daily behavior which pleases God and bears fruit in every good work. It is as we slowly climb the ascent of consistent living that the landscape of God's nature expands around us. As character and knowledge grow, so will our spiritual strength; but notice that frequently such strength is needed not so much for great exploits, as for the patient bearing of the Cross, Colossians 1:11.
In view of the fact that we are being qualified for an inheritance in light, there should be a song of perennial thanksgiving proceeding from us. What a wonder that the sons of ignorance and night can dwell in the Eternal Light, through the Eternal Love! It is not enough to receive the forgiveness of sins, we must be conformed to the image of the Son, who is Himself the image of the Father, Colossians 1:15. Notice the pre-eminence of Jesus-in creation, Colossians 1:16; in the Church, Colossians 1:18; in resurrection, Colossians 1:18; and in the great enterprise of reconciliation and restoration, Colossians 1:20. Let Him be pre-eminent for us also! [source]

Chapter Summary: Colossians 1

1  After salutation Paul thanks God for the Colossians' faith;
7  confirms the doctrine of Epaphras;
9  prays further for their increase in grace;
14  describes the supremacy of Christ;
21  encourages them to receive Jesus Christ, and commends his own ministry

Greek Commentary for Colossians 1:10

To walk worthily of the Lord [περιπατησαι αχιως του Κυριου]
This aorist active infinitive may express purpose or result. Certainly this result is the aim of the right knowledge of God. “The end of all knowledge is conduct” (Lightfoot). See note on 1 Thessalonians 2:12; Philemon 1:27; Ephesians 4:1 for a like use of αχιως — axiōs (adverb) with the genitive. [source]
In the knowledge of God [τηι επιγνωσει του τεου]
Instrumental case, “by means of the full knowledge of God.” This is the way for fruit-bearing and growth to come. Note both participles In order to please God in all things (1 Thessalonians 4:1). Αρεσκια — Areskia is late word from αρεσκευω — areskeuō to be complaisant (Polybius, Plutarch) and usually in bad sense (obsequiousness). Only here in N.T., but in good sense. It occurs in the good sense in the papyri and inscriptions. [source]
Unto all pleasing [εις πασαν αρεσκιαν]
In order to please God in all things (1 Thessalonians 4:1). Αρεσκια — Areskia is late word from αρεσκευω — areskeuō to be complaisant (Polybius, Plutarch) and usually in bad sense (obsequiousness). Only here in N.T., but in good sense. It occurs in the good sense in the papyri and inscriptions. [source]
Walk worthy [περιπατῆσαι ἀξίως]
The phrase occurs Ephesians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:12. Rev. gives the correct adverbial rendering worthily. [source]
Unto all pleasing [εἰς πᾶσαν ἀρέσκειαν]
So as to please God in all ways. Compare 1 Thessalonians 4:1, Ἁρέσκεια pleasingonly here in the New Testament. In classical Greek it has a bad sense, obsequiousness, cringing. Compare men-pleasers, Colossians 3:22. [source]
In the knowledge [εἰς τὴν ἐπίγνωσιν]
Lit. unto the knowledge. The best texts read τῇ ἐπιγνώσει “by the knowledge:” by means of. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Colossians 1:10

Colossians 2:13 Having forgiven us [χαρισάμενος ἡμῖν]
Freely ( χάρις gracefree gift ), as Luke 7:42; 2 Corinthians 2:7, 2 Corinthians 2:10; Colossians 3:13. Note the change of pronoun from you to us, believers generally, embracing himself. This change from the second to the first person, or, vice versa, is common in Paul's writings. See Colossians 1:10-13; Colossians 3:3, Colossians 3:4; Ephesians 2:2, Ephesians 2:3, Ephesians 2:13, Ephesians 2:14; Ephesians 4:31, Ephesians 4:32. [source]
Colossians 1:6 And bringeth forth fruit [καὶ ἔστι καρποφορούμενον]
Lit., and is bearing fruit. The text varies. The best texts omit and. Some join ἔστι iswith the previous clause, as it is in all the world, and take bearing fruit as a parallel participle. So Rev. Others, better, join is with the participle, “even as it is bearing fruit.” This would emphasize the continuous fruitfulness of the Gospel. The middle voice of the verb, of which this is the sole instance, marks the fruitfulness of the Gospel by its own inherent power. Compare the active voice in Colossians 1:10, and see Mark 4:28, “the earth bringeth forth fruit αὐτομάτη ofherself, self-acting. For a similar use of the middle, see show, Ephesians 2:7; worketh, Galatians 5:6. [source]
Colossians 1:6 Increasing [αυχανομενον]
Periphrastic present middle of αυχανω — auxanō Repeated in Colossians 1:10. The growing and the fruit-bearing go on simultaneously as always with Christians (inward growth and outward expression). [source]
Colossians 1:6 Is bearing fruit [εστιν καρποπορουμενον]
Periphrastic present middle indicative of the old compound καρποπορεω — karpophoreō from καρποπορος — karpophoros (Acts 14:17) and that from καρπος — karpos and περω — pherō The periphrastic present emphasizes the continuity of the process. See the active participle καρποπορουντες — karpophorountes in Colossians 1:10. Increasing (αυχανομενον — auxanomenon). Periphrastic present middle of αυχανω — auxanō Repeated in Colossians 1:10. The growing and the fruit-bearing go on simultaneously as always with Christians (inward growth and outward expression). Ye heard and knew Definite aorist indicative. They heard the gospel from Epaphras and at once recognized and accepted (ingressive second aorist active of επιγινωσκω — epiginōskō to know fully or in addition). They fully apprehended the grace of God and should be immune to the shallow vagaries of the Gnostics. [source]
1 Thessalonians 2:12 Walk [περιπατεῖν]
By Paul exclusively in the metaphorical sense of behaving or conducting one's self. Similarly in Hebrews. In the Synoptic Gospels, with one exception (Mark 7:5), of the physical act. Both senses in the Fourth Gospel, but only the metaphorical sense in John's Epistles. Once in the metaphorical sense in Acts, Acts 21:21. In lxx almost exclusively literal; but see Proverbs href="/desk/?q=pr+8:20&sr=1">Proverbs 8:20; Ecclesiastes 11:9. The phrase ἀξίως περιπατεῖν towalk worthily, in Ephesians 4:1; Colossians 1:10. [source]
1 Thessalonians 2:12 Walk worthily of God [περιπατειν αχιως του τεου]
Present infinitive (linear action), and genitive case with adverb αχιως — axiōs as in Colossians 1:10 (cf. Philemon 1:27; Ephesians 4:1), like a preposition. Calleth (καλουντος — kalountos). Present active participle, keeps on calling. Some MSS. have καλεσαντος — kalesantos called. Kingdom (βασιλειαν — basileian) here is the future consummation because of glory (δοχαν — doxan) as in 2 Thessalonians 1:5; 1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Corinthians 15:50; Galatians 5:21; 2 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 4:18), but Paul uses it for the present kingdom of grace also as in 1 Corinthians 4:20; Romans 14:17; Colossians 1:13. [source]
2 Timothy 2:21 Every good work []
The phrase in Paul, 2 Corinthians 9:8; Colossians 1:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:17. In Pastorals, 1 Timothy 5:10; 2 Timothy 3:17; Titus 1:16; Titus 3:1. [source]
3 John 1:6 After a godly sort [ἀξίως τοῦ Θεοῦ]
Lit., worthily of God. So Rev. Compare 1 Thessalonians 2:12; Colossians 1:10. [source]
3 John 1:6 Thou wilt do well [καλως ποιησεις]
Future active of ποιεω — poieō with adverb καλως — kalōs a common polite phrase in letters (papyri) like our “please.” See also Acts 10:33; James 2:19; 1 Corinthians 7:37.; Philemon 4:14; 2 Peter 1:19.To set forward on their journey (προπεμπσας — propempsas). First aorist active participle (simultaneous action) of προπεμπω — propempō to send forward, “sending forward,” old word, in N.T. in Acts 15:3; Acts 20:38; Acts 21:5; 1 Corinthians 16:6, 1 Corinthians 16:11; 2 Corinthians 1:16; Romans 15:24; Titus 3:13.Worthily of God Precisely this phrase in 1 Thessalonians 2:12 and the genitive with αχιως — axiōs also in Romans 16:2; Philemon 1:27; Colossians 1:10; Ephesians 4:1. See John 13:20 for Christ‘s words on the subject. “Since they are God‘s representatives, treat them as you would God” (Holtzmann). From Homer‘s time (Od. XV. 74) it was customary to speed the parting guest, sometimes accompanying him, sometimes providing money and food. Rabbis were so escorted and Paul alludes to the same gracious custom in Romans 15:24; Titus 3:13. [source]
3 John 1:6 Worthily of God [αχιως του τεου]
Precisely this phrase in 1 Thessalonians 2:12 and the genitive with αχιως — axiōs also in Romans 16:2; Philemon 1:27; Colossians 1:10; Ephesians 4:1. See John 13:20 for Christ‘s words on the subject. “Since they are God‘s representatives, treat them as you would God” (Holtzmann). From Homer‘s time (Od. XV. 74) it was customary to speed the parting guest, sometimes accompanying him, sometimes providing money and food. Rabbis were so escorted and Paul alludes to the same gracious custom in Romans 15:24; Titus 3:13. [source]

What do the individual words in Colossians 1:10 mean?

to walk worthily of the Lord in all pleasing in every work good bringing forth fruit and growing in the knowledge - of God
περιπατῆσαι ἀξίως τοῦ Κυρίου εἰς πᾶσαν ἀρεσκείαν ἐν παντὶ ἔργῳ ἀγαθῷ καρποφοροῦντες καὶ αὐξανόμενοι τῇ ἐπιγνώσει τοῦ Θεοῦ

περιπατῆσαι  to  walk 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: περιπατέω  
Sense: to walk.
ἀξίως  worthily 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ἀξίως  
Sense: suitably, worthily, in a manner worthy of.
τοῦ  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Κυρίου  Lord 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: κύριος  
Sense: he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord.
ἀρεσκείαν  pleasing 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀρεσκεία  
Sense: desire to please.
παντὶ  every 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.
ἔργῳ  work 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: ἔργον  
Sense: business, employment, that which any one is occupied.
ἀγαθῷ  good 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: ἀγαθός 
Sense: of good constitution or nature.
καρποφοροῦντες  bringing  forth  fruit 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: καρποφορέω  
Sense: to bear fruit.
αὐξανόμενοι  growing 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: αὐξάνω 
Sense: to cause to grow, augment.
τῇ  in  the 
Parse: Article, Dative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἐπιγνώσει  knowledge 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ἐπίγνωσις  
Sense: precise and correct knowledge.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεοῦ  of  God 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.