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;

Colossians 1:10 nkjv

that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Colossians 1:10 niv

so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

Colossians 1:10 esv

so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Colossians 1:10 nlt

Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

Colossians 1 verses

Colossians 1 10 Meaning

Colossians 1:10 presents the desired outcome and manner of life for believers, stemming from the knowledge of God's will (v.9). It outlines a purposeful Christian walk characterized by conduct worthy of the Lord, aiming to please Him completely. This lifestyle naturally culminates in practical spiritual productivity—bearing fruit through every good work—and is simultaneously deepened by a continuous growth in the experiential knowledge of God. It signifies a life that is both outwardly demonstrative of faith through good deeds and inwardly progressive in spiritual understanding and intimacy with God.

Colossians 1 10 Context

Colossians chapter 1 sets the tone for Paul's letter by first expressing profound thanks and then offering an earnest prayer for the Colossian believers. Verse 10 specifically articulates a key request within this prayer (starting in v.9), which is rooted in their initial understanding of the gospel (v.5-8). After affirming the truth of Christ, Paul prays that they would be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (v.9). Verse 10 naturally follows as the purpose or result of this enlightened knowledge: that they would then walk appropriately. The cultural context includes prevalent Gnostic-like philosophies that overemphasized secret knowledge and ascetic practices, often undermining the supremacy of Christ and the importance of ethical living. Paul's prayer, therefore, stands as a direct counter-patern, emphasizing that true knowledge of God's will is demonstrated not in esoteric rituals, but in practical, Christ-honoring conduct, tangible good works, and continuous spiritual growth.

Colossians 1 10 Word analysis

• that you may walk (peripatēsai): From peripateō (περιπατεῖν), meaning "to walk around," "to live," "to conduct one's life." It signifies an ongoing pattern of behavior and lifestyle. It's not a singular event but a continuous journey of faith expressed through actions. This is a common biblical metaphor for conduct and daily living.
• in a manner worthy (axiōs - ἀξίως): Means "suitably," "appropriately," "consistent with." It conveys the idea of living a life that matches the value or the dignity of something. Here, it refers to matching the worthiness and character of the Lord whom they follow. It's a call to reflect Christ in their daily lives, demonstrating the true value of their faith.
• of the Lord (tou Kyriou): Refers specifically to Jesus Christ, affirmed as supreme throughout the letter (especially vv.15-20). Walking "of the Lord" means conducting one's life as a disciple, under His authority and in imitation of His character. It connects ethical living directly to allegiance to Christ.
• fully pleasing (euarestōs - εὐαρέστως): An adverb meaning "well-pleasing," "acceptable." It speaks to the inner motivation and outcome of one's actions, aiming for divine approval rather than human praise or ritualistic observance. It implies not just occasional good deeds, but a pervasive desire for God's delight.
• to Him (autō): Directly refers back to "the Lord," emphasizing that the purpose of this life of worthy walking is directed singularly toward pleasing Christ.
• bearing fruit (karpophorountes - καρποφοροῦντες): A participle meaning "producing fruit," "being fruitful." This is an agricultural metaphor for productivity and effectiveness. It signifies that the knowledge of God's will should not be merely intellectual but should result in tangible spiritual output in the believer's life. The fruit here refers to changed character and righteous deeds.
• in every good work (en panti ergō agathō): "Good work" (ergon agathon) refers to righteous actions and deeds that are ethically and morally sound, and in alignment with God's will. "Every" emphasizes comprehensiveness; the Christian life is marked by consistent goodness in all areas. This counters passive faith or a focus on intellectualism without practical output.
• and increasing (kai auxanomenoi - καὶ αὐξανόμενοι): A present participle indicating continuous, progressive growth. This implies that spiritual maturity is not static but an ongoing process of development. The "increasing" is tied directly to the "knowledge of God."
• in the knowledge (tē epignōsei - τῇ ἐπιγνώσει): Not just intellectual understanding (gnosis) but a deeper, full, or experiential knowledge. It implies recognition, discernment, and intimacy that comes from personal encounter and practical application of truth. This is a progressive knowledge that deepens as one walks with God and applies His will.
• of God (tou Theou): Refers to God the Father and, implicitly, to Christ Himself as the full revelation of God. This growth is ultimately toward a deeper relationship and understanding of the Divine.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord": This phrase encapsulates the practical, ethical dimension of Christian living. It calls for a lifestyle that matches the high calling of being a follower of Christ. It's a life lived consistent with God's character and purposes.
• "fully pleasing to Him": This expresses the primary motivation and ultimate goal of the worthy walk. Every action and attitude should be oriented towards bringing delight to God, demonstrating a heart committed to His will above all else.
• "bearing fruit in every good work": This segment describes the tangible outcome of a Christ-honoring life. It's about active participation in good deeds, which serve as evidence of the indwelling Spirit and obedience to God's commands. It connects internal transformation to external expression.
• "and increasing in the knowledge of God": This highlights the ongoing, reciprocal relationship between obedience and understanding. As believers walk worthily and perform good works, their experiential knowledge of God deepens. This progressive knowledge, in turn, fuels further obedience and fruit-bearing. It emphasizes intellectual and spiritual growth alongside practical action.

Colossians 1 10 Bonus section

The chiastic structure often found in biblical texts might indirectly apply here in terms of interconnected themes:

• A: Walk worthy (ethical conduct)
• B: Fully pleasing Him (motivation)
• C: Bearing fruit in good work (outcome)
• B': Increasing in knowledge (means of pleasing/growth)
• A': Of God (source and ultimate focus of knowledge and walk)

This verse serves as a reminder that spiritual growth is multifaceted—it involves active obedience, purposeful living, and continuous learning, all interconnected. The emphasis on "every good work" implies that no area of life is exempt from God's transforming power or excluded from opportunities for faithful service. The "knowledge of God" is not just about abstract theology, but about an intimate, personal understanding that impacts daily decisions and shapes one's character. This integrated perspective directly counteracts any Gnostic tendencies (then and now) that might separate "spiritual" knowledge from practical ethics.

Colossians 1 10 Commentary

Colossians 1:10 beautifully synthesizes the practical and progressive aspects of the Christian walk, acting as a crucial bridge between spiritual understanding (v.9) and the believer's earthly responsibilities. It moves beyond mere theological assent to call for a transformative, purposeful life. The phrase "walk worthy" is foundational, implying that our conduct should align with the inherent dignity and majesty of the Lord we serve, demonstrating to the world the reality and value of our faith. This walk is driven by an ambition to be "fully pleasing" to God, transcending external religious performance for genuine internal devotion that seeks God's approval in all things.

This worthy and pleasing walk naturally blossoms into "bearing fruit in every good work." True faith is never passive; it is active and produces tangible evidence in righteous living and loving service. These "good works" are not for self-glorification but are the organic outpouring of a heart yielded to Christ, done by His enabling grace. Concurrently, Paul emphasizes a continual "increasing in the knowledge of God." This is not a static intellectual acquisition but a dynamic, deepening, and experiential knowing of God that transforms us from within. The more we obey, the more we truly know; and the more we truly know God, the greater our capacity to obey and bear fruit. The verse thus paints a holistic picture of spiritual maturity as a journey of ever-increasing practical righteousness and intimate relationship with the Divine. For example, knowing God’s patience leads us to be more patient (bearing fruit). Showing love in action, then leads to a deeper experience of God’s love for others (increasing knowledge).