Devine Scripture

Colossians 1:10

What does Colossians 1:10 mean?

A plain-English look at Colossians 1:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Colossians 1:10 means

Paul’s aim in praying for knowledge is ethical and relational: that they would “walk worthily of the Lord,” fully pleasing Him. A worthy walk bears fruit “in every good work” and keeps “increasing in the knowledge of God.” Knowledge leads to obedience, and obedience deepens knowledge—a virtuous circle. The Lord is the standard and the audience; pleasing Him frames the Christian life. Fruitfulness is comprehensive, touching every sphere, not limited to religious moments. Growth in knowing God is ongoing, not a one-time event. This verse ties doctrine to life: right understanding of God’s will expresses itself in visible goodness and a deepening relationship with God Himself.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Living uprightly in the approval of the Lord, giving fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

That you may walk worthy of God, in all things pleasing; being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

Verse 10 expands verse 9’s request, showing what Spirit-given knowledge produces in everyday life. It is followed by verse 11, which adds the need for divine strength to endure with patience and joy, and verse 12, which calls for grateful thanksgiving to the Father. Together, verses 9–12 describe a complete Christian maturity: informed, fruitful, steadfast, and thankful. This maturity is grounded in God’s saving action, introduced in verses 12–14 and magnified in Christ’s supremacy (verses 15–20).

v.9For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray and make request for you, that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

v.10This passage

v.11strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, unto all patience and longsuffering with joy;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 John 3:22

    and whatsoever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.

  • John 17:3

    And this is life eternal, that they should know thee the only true God, and him whom thou didst send, even Jesus Christ.

  • Ephesians 5:10

    proving what is well-pleasing unto the Lord;

  • 2 Corinthians 9:8

    And God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work:

  • 2 Timothy 2:4

    No soldier on service entangleth himself in the affairs of this life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.

  • Romans 4:12

    and the father of circumcision to them who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham which he had in uncircumcision.

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