Glorious Power
March 2026
“Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.” —Col. 1:11
In Colossians 1:9-10, Paul’s desire for the Colossae Christians is that they “might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,” and, “increasing in the knowledge of God.”
In verse 11, the apostle then tells them of the divine empowerment that can enable them to stand against the powers of darkness, as it regards the believer being engaged in moral conflict.
His desire is that they be “strengthened with all might.” This speaks of inherent power, which gives to us the ability to do something, i.e., the power to live a holy life. Albert Barnes’ notes on the Bible says, “This also was an object of Paul’s earnest prayer. He desired that they might be strengthened for the performance of duty; to meet temptations; and to bear up under the various trials of life.”
The power to live a holy life comes from God alone. Believers do not possess this power within themselves. It takes a greater power—a power that only God can provide for us.
This power comes from the Holy Spirit alone. We must yield ourselves every day to the control of the Holy Spirit that this divine power might have free reign in our lives. Simply put, this power is not automatic but is cultivated through complete dependence upon Him.
The word strengthened is derived from the Greek word dunamis meaning “to strengthen,” “to grow strong morally.” Strengthened translates the same root word used in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” The Lord, and the Lord alone, is our strength and our might. He is omnipotent, meaning all-powerful. He is El-Shaddai, the almightyGod.
For this strength and might to be operational in our lives, we must desire the Holy Spirit to have complete control in our lives. We must understand that the Holy Spirit works in our lives within the parameters of the finished work of Christ (Rom. 8:1-2). The believer’s faith must be centeredin the cross, realizing that our victory comes only from the cross. The believer must always function in faith and not works. Our feeble efforts—our works, our strength—are no match against the powers of darkness.
Paul then states in Colossians 1:11, “according to His glorious power,” or, literally as the Greek states, “power of His glory.” The glorious power of God is the power of the creation of the heavens and the earth. It is the glorious power that is found in man’s salvation. It is the glorious power of God that enables us to stand against the wiles of Satan.
The word glorious speaks of the “infinite perfection, the divine majesty, and holiness of God.” Everything about the Lord is glorious. All of His many acts are glorious. His intentions and desires for us, His children, are glorious.
The word power means “inherent power” or “that which belongs or is apart of the essential character of someone.”
So this “glorious power” rests in Christ and Christ alone.
This power, as Paul mentions here, is not power manifested in great miracles but rather accepting persecution with patience, long-suffering, and joyfulness, which the latter part of the verse proclaims.
As a believer, we face trials and tribulations; we are not immune from them. However, because of the glorious power of the Lord Jesus Christ, we can endure these times with great joy, patience, and longsuffering.