Colossians 1:10

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Colossians 1:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “to walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

to walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Colossians 1:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Colossians 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10to walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord, etc.] The Vulgate Latin version reads, “of God”; to which the Ethiopic version agrees; but rather the Lord Jesus Christ seems to be designed: and to “walk worthy” of him, is to walk by faith in him; to walk after his Spirit, and according to his word, and in his ordinances; to have the conversation as becomes his Gospel, and worthy of that calling wherewith the saints are called by grace to the obtaining of his kingdom and glory. The apostle prays that their knowledge might issue in practice; for knowledge, without practice, is of no avail: he first asks for knowledge, and then practice, for how should men act according to the will of God, or Christ,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord - That you may live as becomes the followers of the Lord. How this was to be done he states in this and the following verses. Unto all pleasing - So as to please him in all things; compare Hebrews 11:5. Being fruitful in every good work - This is one way in which we are to walk worthy of the Lord, and so as to please him; see the notes at John 15:8. And increasing in the knowledge of God - This is another way in which we may walk worthy of the Lord, and so as to please him. It is by endeavoring to become better acquainted with his true character. God is pleased with those who desire to understand what he is; what he does; what he purposes; what he…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“That, knowing his whole will, ye may walk worthy of the Lord, unto all pleasing - So as actually to please him in all things; daily increasing in the living, experimental knowledge of God, our Father, Saviour, Sanctifier. Colossians 1:11”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“ye: Col 2:6, Col 4:5; Mic 4:5; Rom 4:12, Rom 6:4; Eph 4:1, Eph 5:2, Eph 5:15; Phi 1:27; Th1 2:12 all: Col 3:20; Pro 16:7; Phi 4:18; Th1 4:1; Ti2 2:4; Heb 11:5, Heb 13:16; Jo1 3:22 fruitful: Joh 15:8, Joh 15:16; Gal 5:22, Gal 5:23; Eph 2:10; Phi 1:11; Tit 3:1, Tit 3:14; Heb 13:21; Pe2 1:8 increasing: Col 2:19; Isa 53:11; Dan 12:4; Hab 2:14; Joh 17:3; Co2 2:14, Co2 4:6, Co2 9:8; Eph 1:17, Eph 4:13; Pe2 1:2, Pe2 1:3, Pe2 3:18; Jo1 5:20 Colossians 1:11”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification