Bible Strands
Colossians 1:29
To this end I also labor, striving with all His energy working powerfully within me.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul, writing to the Colossian church, immediately after stating his goal of presenting everyone mature in Christ (v. 28). He is describing his own activity as the means by which that goal is pursued.
The words — ἐνέργεια (energeia), "operative power," the same word Ephesians 1:19 uses for the mighty strength at work in believers. κοπιῶ (kopiō) is not neutral "work" but toiling, the kind that exhausts.
The thread — 1 Corinthians 15:10 pairs Paul's superior labor with the explicit denial that he was the cause of the result. Ephesians 1:19 names the same ἐνέργεια as the power at work in those who believe.
Why it lands — The verse removes the reader from the position of being the power source; the labor is real but the engine is not the laborer. It asks a reader to stop treating their own effort as the cause of their effectiveness.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
- Ephesians 1:19 and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength,
- 1 Corinthians 9:25 Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable.
- Ephesians 3:7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace, given me through the working of His power.
- Philippians 2:13 For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.
- Colossians 2:1 For I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me face to face,
- Hebrews 13:21 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.
- Romans 15:20 In this way I have aspired to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.
- 1 Corinthians 12:11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines.