that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God,
Parallel Translations
-
that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God,
-
that ye myght be fulfilled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdome and spretuall vnderstodynge that ye myght walke worthy of the lorde in all thynges that please beynge frutfull in all good workes and encreasynge in the knowledge of God
-
That ye might walke worthy of the Lord, and please him in all things, being fruitefull in all good workes, and increasing in the knowledge of God,
Cross-references (41)
Passages linked to Colossians 1:10 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called,
- Hebrews 13:21 make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
- 2 Peter 1:2-3 Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, seeing that his divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue,
- John 15:16 You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
- 1 John 3:22 so whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:1 Finally then, brothers, we beg and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, that you abound more and more.
- Hebrews 13:16 But don’t forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
- John 15:8 “In this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so you will be my disciples.
- Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
- Proverbs 16:7 When a man’s ways please Yahweh, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
- Titus 3:14 Let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they may not be unfruitful.
- 2 Peter 1:8 For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to not be idle or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- 2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
- Micah 4:5 Indeed all the nations may walk in the name of their gods; but we will walk in the name of Yahweh our God forever and ever.
- Colossians 2:6 As therefore you received Christ Jesus, the Lord, walk in him,
- 1 Thessalonians 2:12 to the end that you should walk worthily of God, who calls you into his own Kingdom and glory.
- Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.
- Ephesians 5:15 Therefore watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise,
- Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
- Romans 6:4 We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.
- 2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and reveals through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place.
- Ephesians 5:2 Walk in love, even as Christ also loved us and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.
- Ephesians 5:10 proving what is well pleasing to the Lord.
- Philippians 1:11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
- Philippians 1:27 Only let your way of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News;
- Habakkuk 2:14 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of Yahweh’s glory, as the waters cover the sea.
- Ephesians 4:13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
- Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord.
- Titus 3:1 Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
- 1 John 5:20 We know that the Son of God has come, and has given us an understanding, that we know him who is true, and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
- Hebrews 11:5 By faith, Enoch was taken away, so that he wouldn’t see death, and he was not found, because God translated him. For he has had testimony given to him that before his translation he had been well pleasing to God.
- Ephesians 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him,
- Philippians 4:18 But I have all things and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God.
- Colossians 2:19 and not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with God’s growth.
- 2 Timothy 2:4 No soldier on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.
- Isaiah 53:11 After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light and be satisfied. My righteous servant will justify many by the knowledge of himself; and he will bear their iniquities.
- Daniel 12:4 But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end. Many will run back and forth, and knowledge will be increased.”
- 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.
- John 17:3 This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ.
- Romans 4:12 He is the father of circumcision to those 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.
- 2 Corinthians 4:6 seeing it is God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (15 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
Private notes
Saved on this device only — never synced or sent anywhere.
John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain 10. That ye may walk worthy of God. In…
10. That ye may walk worthy of God. In the first place he teaches, what is the end of spiritual understanding, and for what purpose we ought to make proficiency in God’s school — that we may walk worthy of God, that is, that it may be manifest in our life, that we have not in vain been taught by God. Whoever they may be that do not direct their endeavors towards this object, may possibly toil and labor much, but they do nothing better than wander about in endless windings, without making any progress. Farther, he admonishes us, that if we would walk worthy of God, we must above all things take heed that we regulate our whole course of life according to the will of God, renouncing our own understanding, and bidding farewell to all the inclinations of our flesh.
This also he again confirms by saying — unto all obedience, or, as they commonly say, well-pleasing. Hence if it is asked, what kind of life is worthy of God, let us always keep in view this definition of Paul — that it is such a life as, leaving the opinions of men, and leaving, in short, all carnal inclination, is regulated so as to be in subjection to God alone. From this follow good works, which are the fruits that God requires from us.
Read full note →
Increasing, in the knowledge of God. He again repeats, that they have not arrived at such perfection as not to stand in need of farther increase; by which admonition he prepares them, and as it were leads them by the hand, to an eagerness for proficiency, that they may shew themselves ready to listen, and teachable. What is here said to the Colossians, let all believers take as said to themselves, and draw from this a common exhortation that we must always make progress in the doctrine of piety until death.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord…
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Ver. 10. That ye might walk worthy] By walking before God, with God, after God, according to God, as it is phrased in several Scriptures, all to one purpose. See the note on Eph 4:1.
Read full note →
Unto all pleasing] As Enoch walked with God, and thereby got this testimony, that he "pleased God," Heb 11:5. So David did all his wills, and was therefore a "man after his heart," Act 13:22. The many alls here used in Col 1:9-11 show that he that will please God must be a "throughout Christian." Now he, and only he, is such, whose whole nature is elevated by the spirit of grace; and all whose principles, practices, and aims are divine and supernatural.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain That ye might walk worthy of the Lord: they…
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord: they prayed for the above mentioned gracious habits, that the Colossians might exercise them in a course of life as it becomes those who are effectually called by the gospel to be the sons of God, and the servants of Christ; suitable to the members of the body of Christ: See Poole on "Eph 4:1". See Poole on "Phi 1:27"; compared with Rom 16:2; 1Th 2:12; 2Th 1:11. As the word God alone ordinary connotes the Father, so Lord doth Christ; answerable to whose wisdom, holiness, and example, Christians professing a relation to him, and expecting benefit by his purchase, should behave themselves; so that the papists cannot from this walking
worthy of the Lord justly infer a merit of condignity, behaving ourselves as Christians being so far from any merit or desert of ours, that it is a debt, we being indispensably obliged to do so, practice being the end of our knowledge. And this end we are to respect
Read full note →
unto all pleasing, i.e. designing and endeavouring not in one thing only, or in few things, but in all things whatsoever are incmnbent on us, we may find aceptance with our Lord and Master, Col 3:20; 1Co 7:32; 10:31; 1Th 2:4; Heb 12:28; all should be great and generous, such as may best like our Lord, keeping themselves from the defilements of the age, Rev 3:4.
Being fruitful in every good work; particularly fructifying, which in the sense may be joined with being filled, Col 1:8; being fruitful is a metaphorical expression borrowed from fruit-bearing trees, unto which godly men and real Christians are compared, Psa 1:3; Joh 15:8; and
every good work is the fruit which these plants of the Lord, having his Spirit as the seed remaining in them, 1Jo 3:9, do bring forth of every sort from a right principle, 1Ti 1:5, according to rule warranted by God, Isa 29:13; Gal 6:16; or having a call from him, for his glory: see 2Co 9:8; Phi 1:11; 2Th 2:17; Heb 13:21.
And increasing in the knowledge of God: the Colossians were not yet perfect in knowledge, and therefore they prayed that they might go on, and grow in grace and knowledge of God and Christ, 2Pe 3:18, the best here knowing but in part, 1Co 13:9; therefore they desired these Christians, as the Philippians, Phi 3:10,12, and the Ephesians, Eph 4:13, might come to their stature: see on the texts.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain Here the apostle sets down the end of his…
Here the apostle sets down the end of his prayer in the fore-mentioned manner for the Colossians, why he desired that their knowledge should so exceedingly increase; it was in order to practise, that they might walk worthy of the Lord, unto all pleasing, and be fruitful in every good work; this is the true end of knowledge, practical obedience.
All this is the true end of knowledge, practical obedience. All knowledge without this, makes a man like Nebuchadnezzar’s image, with an head of gold, and feet of clay: Some persons study to know, only to know, that is curiosity; others endeavour to know only to make themsleves known, this is vain-glory: But to know, that we may practise what we know, this is gospel duty.
Read full note →
Quest. But how can any person be said to walk worthy of the Lord?
Ans. Not with a worthiness of merit, but with a worthiness of meetness, when we walk as it is meet and fit for persons professing godliness to walk; when we walk as becometh the gospel of Jesus Christ, in obedience to his precepts, in imitation of his pattern, answerable to the helps and supplies of grace which the gospel affords, and answerable to the high and glorious hopes which the raises us to the expectation of, this is to walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing.
The second branch of the apostle’s prayer, on behalf of these Colossians, was, that they might be fruitful in every good work, that is, labour after an universal fruitfulness in good works.
By good works, he undoubtedly means works of piety towards God, works of righteousness towards our neighbours, works of sobriety towards ourselves, works of charity towards all.
By fruitfulness in these good works, he means an unwearied diligence, and persevering constancy in the doing of them, that our fruitfulness be an universal fruitfulness, an humble and self-denying fruitfulness, a proportionable fruitfulness, an abounding and abiding fruitfulness; that is to be fruitful in every good work.
The third request, which in this verse he puts up for them, is, That they may increase in the knowledge of God. As fruitfulness in good works makes much for the increase of knowledge, so increasing in knowledge will contribute very much towards our fruitfulness in good works; the way to grow in grace is to grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, 2Pe 3:18.
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain That ye might walk worthy of the Lord,.... The…
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord,.... 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, unless they know it? and when they know it, they should not rest in their knowledge, but put it in practice:
unto all pleasing. The Syriac reads it, "that ye may please God in all good works": an unregenerate man cannot please God in anything; without faith in Christ it is impossible to please him by anything man can do; Christ only could, and did always the things that pleased his Father; there are many things done by believers which are displeasing to God; nor is there anything they can do that is pleasing to God but through Christ, in whom their persons and, services are accepted; good works being done in faith, and from a principle of love, and with a view to the glory of God, are acceptable unto him through Christ; and therefore are to be carefully maintained, and studiously performed by all those that have a spiritual understanding of the will of God, and believe in Christ their Lord and Redeemer:
Read full note →
being fruitful in every good work; saints are trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord; good works are the fruit, which, under the influence of divine grace, they bring forth; and this is not of one sort only, as trees usually do, but of every kind; being ingrafted into Christ the true vine, and deriving life, sap, and nourishment from him, they are filled with the fruits of righteousness by him, which they bring forth and bear, to the glory of his heavenly Father; and being such, they are pleasant plants to him, as fruit bearing trees are to the owner of them: wherefore, in order to the saints walking in their lives and conversations unto all pleasing, or pleasing in all things, the apostle prays they might be fruitful in good works, and that in everyone, in every kind of good works:
and increasing in the knowledge of God; not barely of his nature and perfections, as they are displayed in the works of creation; but of his mind, and will, and the mysteries of his grace, as they are revealed in the Gospel; of the knowledge of him in Christ, as the God of all grace, and as a covenant God and Father. The apostle had before prayed for an increase of the knowledge of the will of God, previous to his request, for the putting of it in practice; and now suggests, that an increase of the knowledge of God himself may be expected in a practical use of means, an attendance on the ordinances of Christ, and a diligent performance of good works: from the whole of these petitions, it may be observed by the apostle's asking for them, that all our knowledge, and the increase of it, and all our fruitfulness in good works, are all from the Lord; and therefore we have no reason to boast of our knowledge, nor depend upon our works, but frankly to own, that notwithstanding all we know, and do, we are but unprofitable servants.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain That, knowing his whole will, ye may walk worthy…
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.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 10. That ye might walk worthy of the…
Verse 10. That ye might walk worthy of the Lord] Suitably to your Christian profession, exemplifying its holy doctrines by a holy and useful life. See Clarke on Eph 4:1; and on "Php 1:27".
Unto all pleasing] Doing every thing in the best manner, in the most proper time, and in a becoming spirit. Even a good work may be marred and rendered fruitless by being done improperly, out of season, or in a temper of mind that grieves the Holy Spirit.
Read full note →
Being fruitful in every good work] See Clarke on Col 1:6.
St. Paul exhorts the Christians at Colosse,
1. To walk-to be active in their Christian calling.
2. To walk worthily-suitably to the dignity of that calling, and to the purity of that God who had called them into this state of salvation.
3. To do every thing unto all pleasing; that God might be pleased with the manner, the time, the motive, disposition, design, and object of every act.
4. That they should be fruitful; mere harmlessness would not be sufficient; as God had sown good seed, he expected good fruit.
5. That every work should be good; they must not be fruitful in some works and fruitless in others.
6. That they should increase in religious knowledge as time rolled on, knowing, by genuine Christian experience, more of God, of his love, and of his peace, day by day.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain That ye might walk worthy of the Lord -…
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 Heb 11:5.
Read full note →
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 Joh 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 commands. Hence he not only commands us to study his works (compare Psa 111:2), but he has made a world so beautiful as to invite us to contemplate his perfections as reflected in that world. All good beings desire that others should understand their character, and God delights in those who are sincerely desirous of knowing what he is, and who inquire with humility and reverence into his counsels and his will. People are often displeased when others attempt to look into their plans, for they are sensible they will not bear the light of investigation. God has no plans which would not be seen to be, in the highest degree, glorious to him.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain Worthy of God: Greek: axios tou kuriou. So St.…
Worthy of God: Greek: axios tou kuriou. So St. Ambrose and the Greek doctors; or thus, worthily, pleasing God, and this not by faith only, but fruitful in every good work. (Ibid.) --- God, in [1] all things pleasing him. This is the construction of the Latin by the Greek. (Witham)
===============================
Read full note →
[BIBLIOGRAPHY]
Ut ambuletis digne Deo per omnia placentes; Greek: axios tou Kuriou eis pasan areskeian.
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain Greek, "So as to walk"; so that ye may…
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).
Read full note →
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 prayer that they might continue to "bring forth fruit," and "grow" more and more by the full knowledge of God, the more that "knowledge" (Col 1:9) was imparted to them. The full knowledge of God is the real instrument of enlargement in soul and life of the believer [ALFORD]. The third manifestation of their walk is (Col 1:11), "Being strengthened with all might," &c. The fourth is (Col 1:12), "Giving thanks unto the Father," &c.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 10. That ye might walk—The result of such full…
10. That ye might walk—The result of such full knowledge is a life worthy of the Lord Jesus, pleasing him in all things. This is possible only through the teaching and help of the Holy Spirit. As mere intellectual processes are utterly unable to attain this knowledge, so sinful men, unaided from on high, cannot thus walk. But the life whose sincere aim is to please Christ, though it fall far below that absolute perfectness which his majesty and holiness may rightfully demand, is yet a life worthy of him, for it is moved by a love that brings its best and holiest tribute to his feet. What such a life involves is further specified in four particulars, fruitfulness, moral growth, strength against evil, and thanksgiving.
Fruitful—In good works extending beyond ordinary benevolence and right doing, to all inward and outward obedience, and to the studious use of our consecrated powers for whatever will glorify Christ. The figure is that of a tree which bears fruit, and is at the same time steadily growing. The believer is not only fruitful in his holy living, but in all that goes to make up character he is constantly increasing in, or rather, by, (as the best texts show,) the full knowledge of God, as the instrument of his growth.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 10. walk] A very frequent word in St Paul;…
10. walk] A very frequent word in St Paul; most frequent in Eph., where see Col_4:1 for a close parallel. See 1Th_2:12 for one still closer verbally. The word denotes life in its action and intercourse.—The spiritual knowledge which he asks for them is thus sought for the most sacredly practical of purposes—in order to their closer conformity to the will of God in real life.
worthy of the Lord] Lit., worthily &c.; so R.V. But all previous English versions read as A.V., perhaps using the adjective adverbially.—Ideally, of course, no human “walk” is “worthy of the Lord.” But practically it can and should be so, in the sense of being governed at every step by the Divine motive of His love and presence, and so presenting a true correspondence to that motive.
Read full note →
“The Lord:”—“St Paul’s common, and apparently universal, usage requires us to understand [‘the Lord’] of Christ.” (Lightfoot). The “worthy of God” of 1Th_2:12 thus gives to the phrase here a deep significance in relation to the Godhead of Christ. Such alternative expressions indicate how truly for St Paul the Father and the Son are Persons of the same Order of being. Cp. for similar indications (among very many passages) Rom_8:35 with 39; Eph_2:22 with Col_3:17.
unto all pleasing] “So as to aim at, and go the length of, meeting every wish (of the Lord’s).”—The word rendered “pleasing” is most instructive. In classical Greek it denotes a cringing and subservient habit, ready to do or say anything to please a patron; not only to meet but to anticipate his most trivial wishes. But when transferred to the spiritual region, and the believer’s relations to his Lord, the word at once rises by its association. To do anything to meet, to anticipate, His wishes, is not only the most beneficial but the most absolutely right thing we can do. It is His eternal and sacred due; it is at the same time the surest path to our own highest development and gain.—See Lightfoot’s excellent note.—For a close parallel to the wording here, see 1Th_4:1, where the cognate verb is used.
fruitful] See above on Col_1:6. The verb here is in the active, not middle, and so somewhat less pregnant in meaning.
every good work] Observe the characteristic impartiality and whole-heartedness of Christian obedience; as just above, “all pleasing.”
increasing] See above on Col_1:6; and cp. below Col_2:19; 1Pe_2:2; 2Pe_3:18.
in the knowledge] The Greek, in the best-attested reading, is capable also of the rendering “by the knowledge;” and so Ellicott, Lightfoot, and margin R.V. But the text R.V. renders as A.V., though using this other and better-attested Greek, which gives epignósis in the dative, without preposition. This is quite good grammatically; cp. e.g. the Greek of Rom_4:20; Php_2:8. The dative is used as the case of reference; the growth is growth with regard to spiritual knowledge of God; that is, it is a development of that knowledge in the believer, a growth in it.—The other (and we think inferior) rendering meanwhile conveys an undoubted and important truth.
“The knowledge of God:”—which “is life eternal” (Joh_17:3). “You must needs know that to enjoy God and His Christ is eternal Life; and the soul’s enjoying is in knowing” (Baxter, Saint’s Everlasting Rest, Part i. sect. vii.).
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (10) Walk worthy (worthily) of the Lord. Here St.…
(10) Walk worthy (worthily) of the Lord. Here St. Paul begins to dwell on the practical life, much in the same spirit in which, in Eph_4:1, he returns from the profound thought of Colossians 2, 3 to the entreaty “to walk worthy of the vocation with which they are called.” “The Lord” is here, as usual, the Lord Jesus Christ; to walk worthy of Him is to have His life reproduced in us, to follow His example, to have “the mind of Christ Jesus.” The “worthiness” is, of course, relative to our capacity, not absolute.
All pleasing.—The word here used is not found elsewhere in the New Testament, but is employed in classic and Hellenistic Greek to mean “a general disposition to please”—a constant preference of the will of others before our own. It is here used with tacit reference to God, since towards Him alone can it be a safe guide of action. Otherwise it must have the bad sense which in general usage was attached to it. St. Paul emphatically disowns and condemns the temper of “men-pleasing” (see Gal_1:10; Eph_6:6; Col_3:22; 1Th_2:4), as incompatible with being “the servant of Christ.” He could, indeed, “be all things to all men” (1Co_9:22); he could bid each man “please his neighbour for his edification” (Rom_15:12). But the only “pleasing” to which the whole life can be conformed is (see 1Th_4:1) the consideration “how we ought to walk and to please God.” Only in subordination to this can we safely act on the desire of “all pleasing” towards men.
Read full note →
Increasing in (or, by) the knowledge of God.—The context evidently shows that the path towards the knowledge of God here indicated is not the path of thoughtful speculation, or of meditative devotion, but the third path co-ordinate with these—the path of earnest practice, of which the watchword is, “Do and thou shalt know.”
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain To walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing…
To walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing (Eph_4:1; Php_1:27; 1Th_2:12 1Th_4:1; 2Th_1:5, 2Th_1:11; 1Jn_2:6; Rev_3:4; Heb_13:21) so as to please him in every way. "The end of all knowledge, the apostle would say, is conduct" (Lightfoot). Spiritual enlightenment (ver. 9) enables the Christian to walk (a Hebraism adopted also into biblical English) in a way "worthy of the Lord", (Christ Col_2:6 Col_3:24; Act_20:19, etc.) becoming those who have such a Lord and who profess to be his servants. And to be "worthy of Christ" is to "please God" (Rom_8:29; Eph_1:4, Eph_1:5, Eph_1:11; 1Co_1:9) This is the ideal and the aim of the religious life throughout the Bible (comp. 1Sa_13:14; Mic_6:6-8; Heb_11:5, Heb_11:6; Joh_8:29; Rom_8:8) The characteristics of this walk are set forth by three coordinate participial phrases (vers. 10b-12), standing in the half independent nominative case instead of the more regular accusative (as agreeing with the understood object of the infinitive peripathsai: see Winer"s "N. T. Grammar," p. 716: compare, for the idiom. (Col_3:16 Col_2:2) In every good work bearing fruit (Eph_4:28; Gal_6:9, Gal_6:10; 1Th_5:15; 2Th_2:17; 1Ti_5:10; Tit_3:8; Heb_13:16; Act_9:36) "Good work" is that which is beneficial, practically good (see parallel passages). "In every good work" might grammatically qualify the foregoing" pleasing (so R.V margin and many older interpreters), but appears to be parallel in position and sense with "in all power" (ver. 11). On"bearing fruit" (active in voice where the subject is personal: comp. ejnergew in, (Col_1:29 and Php_2:13) see note to ver. 6. While doing good to his fellow-men, the Christian is growing by (or, in) the knowledge of God (Col_2:19; Eph_4:13-16; 2Pe_3:18; 1Co_3:1, 2 14:20 16:13; Heb_5:12-14) His own nature becomes larger, stronger, more complete. Here it is individual (internal) growth, in ver. 6 collective (external) growth (of the gospel, the Church) that is implied; the two are combined insei. (Eph_4:13-16) The dative th ejpignw (so best copies and Revised Text: the Received, unto the knowledge, is a repetition of ver. 9) is "dative of instrument" (Alford, Lightfoot) rather than "of respect" (in the knowledge; so R.V).
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain 10. That ye might walk, etc. Thus they would…
10. That ye might walk, etc. Thus they would be equipped so as to please the Lord in all things in their walk. Being fruitful. Some things are named which please the Lord. The first is to abound in good works. The second is to increase in the knowledge of God.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.